Rofan

Rofan is a high alpine launch above the Achensee area near Maurach in Tyrol, at about 1,654 m, reached by cable car with the takeoff just a few minutes' walk from the top station. It flies best in southwesterly wind and is also used for SIV training in the area. Airspace here is tightly bounded: maximum altitude is 9,500 ft AMSL (around 2,890 m), and south of the Ebner Joch the ceiling steps down further, so route planning needs to account for the drop before heading that way. Landing is down by the lake, but the lakeside field is reserved for SIV seminars — pilots flying for recreation need to use the designated public landing zone instead, not the seminar field. Between the cable-car access, the alpine views over the Achensee and the SW-facing launch, it's a convenient high-altitude option, provided the airspace ceiling and correct landing zone are respected.

Local rules & hazards

Maximum altitude is 9,500 ft AMSL (about 2,890 m); south of the Ebner Joch the ceiling drops further, to around 500 ft AGL (about 2,590 m AMSL) — plan routes with that step-down in mind. The landing field by the lake is reserved for SIV seminars; use the official public landing zone instead.

Check conditions before you fly

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