Markbachjoch (Wildschönau)

Markbachjoch is a mountain flying site in the Wildschönau valley of Tyrol, Austria, at about 1,430 m, facing north. That northerly exposure means it isn't thermally very active, but it more than makes up for that as a beginner and training site: the orientation shelters it well from the strong valley wind that runs through the Inn valley below, giving newer pilots calmer, more predictable air to learn in. Both the takeoff and the landing sit close to the local cable car, which makes getting up and getting your glider packed away straightforward without a long walk either way. It's a site built for building confidence and putting in repetitions rather than for chasing distance.

Launch & conditions

North-facing launch, close to the cable car.

Getting there & local rules

A cable car reaches close to launch; the landing is also near the gondola station.

Check conditions before you fly

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