Gerlitzen

Gerlitzen, above Lake Ossiach in Carinthia, Austria, is one of the region's busiest flying mountains — expect real crowds on weekends and during holidays — and it's become a well-known venue for acro training and SIV courses. Two separate takeoffs give pilots options: the summit launch ('Gipfel') at around 1,900 m, and a lower one at Kanzelhöhe around 1,000 m, both reached by gondola or chairlift, with multi-ride tickets available for repeat laps. There's a hard altitude ceiling to respect here — 2,100 m above sea level — so keep an eye on height gained above launch on strong thermal days. Weather-wise, a west wind is treated locally as an early warning sign that conditions are about to turn, and flying isn't recommended once that shift starts. Landing needs some local knowledge too: there are several landing zones, each needing a different approach to come in safely, so it's worth checking which one applies before committing to a glide.

Launch & conditions

Two separate takeoffs: the summit launch ('Gipfel') at around 1,900 m and a lower one at Kanzelhöhe around 1,000 m, both reached by gondola or chairlift.

Getting there & local rules

Gondola or chairlift access to either takeoff, with multi-ride tickets available for pilots doing repeat laps.

Local rules & hazards

There's a hard ceiling of 2,100 m above sea level here. A west wind is a locally recognized early sign that the weather is about to turn — flying isn't recommended once that shift begins. Several landing zones exist, each needing its own approach, so check which one applies before your final glide.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Gerlitzen, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Gerlitzen with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.