Lesce Alpine Sports Airfield

Lesce sits on the plain between Bled and Radovljica, with the Julian Alps filling the horizon to the west and north, and the airfield on the edge of the village is one of the main centres of sport aviation in Slovenia. The Lesce Alpine Sports Airfield, home to local flying clubs and a flying school, sits in one of the best positions in the country for flying in the mountains. The wide, flat valley gives room to take off and land, and the surrounding ridges create the rising air that glider pilots need, which is why the area has a reputation among aviators far beyond Slovenia.

Gliding is the speciality. In suitable weather, the sun heats the ground and the slopes, producing thermals, columns of rising air that a glider can circle in to gain height. Skilled pilots can then fly long distances across the Alps by hopping from one source of lift to the next, and flights of hundreds of kilometres are possible on a good day. The airfield is used by local pilots and by visitors from other European countries, and it hosts training, camps and competitions. Motor aircraft also operate from here, and the airfield is a base for parachuting, so there is a lot of activity on summer weekends.

You do not have to be a pilot to enjoy it. Visitors can book panoramic flights in light aircraft or gliders, which give an unforgettable view of Lake Bled and its island, the Julian Alps, Triglav and the valleys below. A flight of twenty or thirty minutes shows in a way that no road trip can how the landscape is arranged, how the lakes sit in their glacial basins and how the mountains rise above the plain. Tandem parachute jumps are another option for the adventurous. Prices, availability and booking arrangements vary, and flights depend on weather and wind, so book ahead and keep a little flexibility in your schedule. Safety briefings are given, and age and weight limits apply for some activities.

If you prefer to stay on the ground, watching gliders being towed up, circling and landing is a pleasant way to spend a little time, and the clubhouse cafe is a convenient place to sit and watch. Events and gatherings are held through the year.

The airfield sits among several other attractions in Lesce. The Gorenjka chocolate factory, the Beekeeping Education Centre of Gorenjska, Legatova hiša, Španova hiša and the Church of the Assumption of Mary make a varied day, Šobec Campsite is nearby, and Bowling City Lesce offers an indoor option.

It suits adventure seekers, families and aviation fans. With a good day, glider pilots can reach Italy and Austria, and the airfield draws pilots from across Europe. Triglav National Park lies in view, and Slovenia’s mountain flying is world class.