Gerlitzen Startplatz 3

Gerlitzen Startplatz 3 is one of several launches on the summit plateau of the Gerlitzen, at about 1,460 m facing south to southwest, on a mountain widely considered among the most beautiful paragliding sites in Austria for its views over the Carinthian lakes — flyable year-round, though wind still needs careful judgement. In strong west or north wind, making progress toward the landing field gets genuinely hard, and the safer call is to stay on the ground. Reaching the landing field means flying a long ridge before turning left toward Annenheim and the field at the lake's eastern end, and cross-country pilots need to watch the ceiling too: Klagenfurt airport's approach corridor begins at 2,100 m, which limits how far this mountain works for distance flying. Landing on the nearby lakeside campsite is strictly forbidden and enforced by police, so pilots aim for the club or flying-school landing fields near the road instead. There's no official hang glider landing field any more — hang glider pilots can generally use the tandem landing field by asking politely (a landing fee may apply), though it means dropping the glider off at the cable car the day before for transport up.

Local rules & hazards

Landing on the nearby lakeside campsite is strictly forbidden and enforced by police — unauthorised landings on its beach and meadow areas draw fines. In strong west or north wind, reaching the landing field gets genuinely difficult, and staying grounded is the safer call. Cross-country flights are limited by Klagenfurt airport's approach corridor, which begins at 2,100 m. There's no official hang glider landing field any more; hang glider pilots generally use the tandem landing field by asking permission (a landing fee may apply), and gliders need dropping off at the cable car's base station the day before for transport up.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Gerlitzen Startplatz 3, 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 Startplatz 3 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.