Jöchelspitze Startplatz 3

Jöchelspitze Startplatz 3 is a higher alternative launch in Austria's Lechtal, sitting above the site's main Startplatz 2 at about 1,884 m and reached on a roughly 15-minute walk from the mountain station. The trade-off for the extra walk is a better entry into the thermals, which makes it worth the climb on days when that matters. As with the rest of the Jöchelspitze site, getting between the landing field and the valley station is a genuine hassle: it's over 2 km uphill, so it's worth arranging a lift in advance — a year-round scheduled bus runs the route, and the local flying school also offers its own shuttle. The mountain railway currently doesn't carry hang-gliders, though that was expected to change. Landing is at the large field in Bach, which can turn genuinely turbulent in a valley wind because of nearby buildings and trees, and parking or camping there is no longer allowed since it's private property.

Launch & conditions

This launch sits above the main Startplatz 2, about a 15-minute walk from the mountain station, and offers a better entry into the thermals in exchange for the extra climb.

Getting there & local rules

The landing field is over 2 km uphill from the valley station — a scheduled bus runs year-round, and the local flying school also offers a shuttle. The mountain railway does not currently carry hang-gliders.

Local rules & hazards

Landing at the field in Bach can turn genuinely turbulent in a valley wind, due to nearby buildings and trees. Parking and camping at the landing field are no longer allowed — it's private property.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Jöchelspitze 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 Jöchelspitze 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.