Schmittenhöhe Startplatz 1

Schmittenhöhe Startplatz 1 is a well-known cross-country mountain in Austria at 1,869 m, launching on south-east and south wind, and the starting point for the famous Pinzgauer Spaziergang cross-country route. May, June and July are the liveliest months here, with strong thermals building through the day, and the view across the main Alpine ridge to the Kitzsteinhorn is one of the best around. A cable car carries pilots up to launches near the summit station, with separate take-off points facing south-east, south, south-west and north-west depending on the day's wind. The grass launch for paragliders sits just below the Areitbahn's summit station. Landing is at a meadow near Fürth, close to the train station, with a public-transport connection back to the valley station. Because the Zell am See airfield sits close to the landing field, approach is only permitted from the west, staying below 900 m and descending north along the slope no earlier than 100 m above the ground. Launch and landing fees are payable at the cable car.

Local rules & hazards

The Zell am See airfield sits close to the landing field, so approach is only permitted from the west, staying below 900 m — descend north along the slope and don't drop below 100 m above the ground until you're on final approach to land. Prescribed altitude limits here matter and must be respected.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Schmittenhöhe Startplatz 1, 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 Schmittenhöhe Startplatz 1 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.