Top 5 Paragliding Sites in B&H

THE LIFE WE DREAM OF, ANTISTRESS THERAPY, THE ESCAPE FROM CRUEL REALITY, PURE ECSTASY… THAT IS HOW PARAGLIDING LOVERS DESCRIBE THEIR FLIGHT. PARAGLIDING IS AN EXTREME SPORT,

BUT A GROWING NUMBER OF THOSE

WHO LOVE TO SOAR HIGH INTO THE SKY OPT TO FLY A PARAGLIDER. A

NUMBER OF PARAGLIDING CLUBS GATHERING TRUE PARAGLIDING ENTHUSIASTS HAS SPRUNG UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

Written by: Semra Hodžić

1.

SARAJEVO

U okolini Sarajeva mnogo je poletišta nadohvat ruke ljubiteljima paraglajdinga. Među najomiljenijim zbog uslova i konfiguracije terena su Trebević i Bjelašnica, a upravo sa Trebevića je prvi čovjek Extreme Sport kluba iz Sarajeva Mirvad Zenuni letio do Srbije. U okolini Sarajeva nalaze se i drugi fantastični tereni s mogućnostima polijetanja paraglajderom poput Jahorine, Igmana, Romanije i Mrkovića. Svi koji žele probati dio onoga što paraglajderi osjete kod svakog leta mogu to uraditi sa nekim od tandem pilota Extreme Sport kluba. Oni odvažniji mogu upisati i školu letenja gdje nakon osnovnog kursa od deset dana stiču vještine samostalnog letenja, npr. s vrha Bjelašnice u Babin do praćeno budnim okom instruktora uz otvoreni kanal putem radiostanice.

SARAJEVO

In the vicinity of Sarajevo a number of take-off sites is easily accessible to paragliding lovers. Due to the conditions and configuration of the terrain, the most popular ones are located on the Trebević and Bjelašnica mountains, and Trebević was the take-off site from which the Mirvad Zenuni, the most prominent member of the Sarajevo-based Extreme Sport Club, flew a paraglider to Serbia. Within a short distance of Sarajevo there are other great locations allowing paragliders to take off from such as Jahorina, Igman, Romanija and Mrkovići mountains. Anyone who wishes to see what flying a paraglider feels like can try a tandem paragliding flight with Extreme Sport Club each summer. The more adventurous amongst you can take a course in paragliding. After completing a basic paragliding course, you will have the skills you need to fly on your own, for example from the highest peak of Mount Bjelašnica to Babin do, but a paragliding instructor will keep a close eye on you throughout the entire flight and you will be able to communicate with the instructor via an open PMR channel.

2.

LJUBUŠKI

Paragliding klub Ljubuški jedan je od popularnijih u Bosni i Hercegovini za ljubitelje ovog ekstremnog sporta, naročito njihovo poletište zbog kojeg su postali svjetski poznati. “Ljubuška kula” uz “Slovenske startove” ušla je u top četiri paraglajderske destinacije na Balkanu. Nalazi se na južnoj strani padine na brdu Buturovica iznad grada, na 340 m nadmorske visine, a neposredno prije kule Herceg Stjepana. Na njega rado dolaze piloti iz cijele Evrope, ali i drugih kontinenata. Ljubušaci su ostvarili i najduži let paraglajderom unutar granica BiH, leteći do Nove Bile kod Travnika. Svi koji su probali, znaju da letenje u hercegovačkom gradiću Ljubuškom pruža vrhunski užitak letenja kako za XC pilote, tako i za rekreativne pilote koji žele uživati u večernjoj termici i laminarnom vjetru na padini. U klubu rade i usluge tandem letova.

LJUBUŠKI

Ljubuški Paragliding Club is one of the more popular paragliding clubs among the lovers of this extreme sport. Particularly popular is its take-off site which captured the imagination of a global audience. Along with “Slovenian Starts”, “Ljubuški Tower” flying site made it to the top four paragliding destinations in the Balkans. It sits on the southern slope of the Buturovica Hill above the town of Ljubuški, at an altitude of 340 metres, and very close to the Herzog Stjepan Fortress. Pilots from all over Europe and other continents alike love to come here. Fliers from Ljubuški hold the first place in the total sum of kilometres flown and hours spent in the air in Bosnia and Herzegovina—they flew all the way to Nova Bila, a small town near Travnik. Anyone who has tried it knows that this little town in Herzegovina provides the ultimate flying experience for both XC pilots and recreational pilots looking to enjoy the evening thermals and the laminar wind on the hillside. The club also offers tandem fights.

Kontakt / Contact: david8ever@gmail.com

3.

LIVNO

Svi oni koji žele doživjeti drugačiju perspektivu ili osjetiti udobnost strujanja zraka iznad Livanjskog polja, mogu se upustiti u paraglajding avanturu na planini Tušnica. Priprema za let počinje u odmaralištu agencije Continental Adventure nakon čega se ide na planinu. Nakon kratke terenske vožnje stiže se na poletište. Dovoljno je skupiti hrabrosti, zatrčati se i poletiti, a zatim se prepustiti letu i uživanju u veličanstvenim prizorima Buškog jezera i okolnih planina. GoPro kamera će zabilježiti cijelu vašu avanturu. Ovisno o protoku zraka, let može trajati od 20 do 30 minuta. Slijetanje je na polju blizu Buškog jezera, gdje će doći vozilo po vas i vratiti vas u odmaralište. Bosna i Hercegovina ima fantastične uslove za paraglajding. Prelijepe terene pored navedenih imaju još i Drvar, Tuzla, Bihać, Mrkonjić Grad…

Bosnia and Herzegovina offers excellent conditions for paragliding. In addition to those already mentioned, other towns offer them too: Drvar, Tuzla, Bihać, Mrkonjić Grad…

LIVNO

Anyone who wishes to see things from a different perspective or feel the comfort of air flowing above Livanjsko Field can go on a paragliding adventure in Mount Tušnica. Flight preparations begin at the Continental Adventure Agency’s resort. After a short off-road drive, you will arrive at the take-off site. All you need to do is muster up your courage, run a few steps and get the thrill of take-off, and then indulge in this flying adventure and revel in the stunning views of Buško Lake and the surrounding mountains. A GoPro camera will record your entire flight. Depending on the air flow, the flight can last up to 20 or 30 minutes. The landing site is near the field close to Buško Lake. You will be picked up by car there and taken back to the resort.

Kontakt / Contact: info@continentaladventure.net

4.

CAZIN

Ljubitelji ekstremnih sportova, naročito paraglajderi, rado dolaze na Veliku Gomilu kod Cazina, jednu od omiljenih lokacija gradskih rekreativca. Velika Gomila nalazi se u cazinskom naselju Stijena na visini od preko 797 metara što je čini najvišom kotom na području cazinske općine, a ujedno i povoljnijim terenom za let paraglajderom. Sa željom da se vinu nebu pod oblake, nekoliko pilota i simpatizera ekstremnih sportova osnovali su Aero Klub Kumulus Cazin 2005. godine koji više od deset godina omogućava zainteresiranim da uživaju u blagodatima podneblja i terena koji su, kako kažu znalci, među najpovoljnijim za bavljenje paraglajdingom. Svake godine organiziraju takmičenje u preciznom slijetanju koje će se održati i ove godine u skladu sa epidemijskim mogućnostima, a planirano je da se održi od 17. do 18. jula.

CAZIN

Extreme sport lovers, particularly paragliding enthusiasts, frequent a site called Velika Gomila near the town of Cazin, which is one of the favourite spots for many a recreationist of Cazin. Velika Gomila is situated in the Stijena neighbourhood at an altitude of more than 797 metres, which makes it the highest peak in the Cazin Municipality, and it offers a suitable terrain for paragliding flights. Wishing to soar into the sky, several pilots and extreme sport fans founded the Cumulus Aero Club in Cazin in 2005. For more than 10 years, the club has allowed anyone who is interested in paragliding to enjoy everything the amazing terrain and scenery in the area can offer. The connoisseurs of the matter say the area offers some of the most favourable conditions for the sport. Each year, members of the club organise a competition in precise landing. It will be held this year too in line with Coronavirus safety requirements. The plan is for the competition to take place on 17-18 July.

Kontakt / Contact: +387 62 429 117

5.

BANJA LUKA

Paragliding club Airdrenaline Banja Luka ima najdužu tradiciju letenja u Bosni i Hercegovini. Još od davne 1989. godine otisnuli su se s planina Čemernice i Manjače. I danas lete, podučavaju paraglajdingu i nude turističke letove. Ne zna se koji je nevjerovatniji doživljaj za turiste – uživati u nestvarnom pogledu koji se s planine Manjače pruža prema Banjoj Luci, ili s Čemernice prema čudesnom Vrbasu. Turistima nude tandem letove i organizirani put do poletišta. Tandemski let je idealna prilika za osobe bez letačkog iskustva ili one koji žele probati ovu letačku disciplinu bez posebne pripreme. Paraglajderom mogu letjeti osobe od 16 do 75 godina starosti. Dovoljna je samo želja i iskusni FAI licencirani piloti će vas povesti u nesvakidašnji doživljaj i sve zabilježiti kamerom.

BANJA LUKA

Airdrenaline Paragliding Club in Banjaluka has the longest tradition of flying in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Way back in 1989 members of the club would take off from the Čemernica and Manjača mountains. They still fly, but they also teach paragliding and organise tourist flights. Tourists have got two incredible experiences to choose from—they can revel in the gorgeous views of Banjaluka flying from Mount Manjača or the wondrous views of the Vrbas River flying from Mount Čemernica. Tandem flights and organised trips to the take-off sites are also available. Tandem paragliding is perfect for first-time fliers or those who want to try this gliding experience without much preparation. You must be between the ages of 16 and 75 to fly a paraglider. As long as you have the desire to fly, experienced FAI licenced pilots will take you on a fascinating journey in the sky and record it on a camera.

Kontakt / Contact: airdrenalineone@gmail.com