Goldeck Startplatz 2

Goldeck Startplatz 2 is one of the secondary launches on the Goldeck above Spittal in Carinthia, at about 2,106 m facing west, with sweeping views over Spittal, Lake Millstatt and, on a clear day, as far as the Großglockner. The mountain's main paragliding launch faces north just above the top station and is a well-known soaring ridge in north wind, but the other launches around the summit — this one included — call for a high degree of experience, since pilots have to fly around ridgelines and mountain flanks to use them safely. Access used to be by cable car, but the gondola serving these launches has been out of service since a cable failure and, per site reports, is not expected to reopen; a second gondola runs about 500 m further west, though its own top station still leaves roughly 280 vertical metres (about 1.5 hours) of walking to reach the summit launches. The large shared landing meadow sits near the valley station in the Spittal river flats and is sometimes also used by helicopters, so pilots should stay alert on approach.

Local rules & hazards

This is one of the secondary launches around the Goldeck summit, and — unlike the main north-facing launch — it requires a high degree of experience, since ridgelines and mountain flanks have to be flown around to use it safely. The cable car historically used to reach these launches has been out of service since a cable failure and is not expected to reopen; a second gondola further west still leaves a roughly 1.5-hour walk to the summit. The shared landing meadow is sometimes also used by helicopters.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Goldeck Startplatz 2, 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 Goldeck Startplatz 2 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.