Obertilliach – Golzentipp

Golzentipp above Obertilliach, in Austria's East Tyrol, launches from 1,998 m and puts pilots straight over a wide Alpine valley scored by two ridgelines worth chasing. A chairlift carries you most of the way up; a short downhill walk from the top station puts you on a gently sloped meadow with room for four or five wings to lay out and launch without crowding each other. Thermals tend to kick off early in the day, which is part of why local pilots rate this launch — you don't have to wait around for the sun to do its work. The site favors southeast through west winds, and cross-country pilots use it as a jumping-off point: climb to roughly 2,800 m, cross the valley heading west toward the Helm massif, then continue on toward the Tre Cime/Drei Zinnen group. It's a quieter site than many East Tyrol classics, with a generous landing field and a genuinely welcoming local flying community.

Launch & conditions

From the chairlift's top station, it's about a 10-minute walk downhill to takeoff — a nicely sloped meadow with enough room for four or five paragliders to launch in turn. Thermals typically build early, so pilots who get up first often catch the best cycles.

Getting there & local rules

Take the chairlift up from Obertilliach village to reach the top station near takeoff; a daily or weekly lift pass is reasonably priced.

Local rules & hazards

Avoid northerly winds at this site. The valley wind tends to strengthen from around midday, so mornings generally offer calmer, smoother air for launching and thermalling.

Check conditions before you fly

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