Stoderzinken

Stoderzinken is an excellent cross-country launch point in the Austrian Alps, at about 2,029 m, with several separate take-off spots and directions covering north, southeast, south and northwest. The lower south launch is notably steep and not recommended for beginners; the other launches all have room for at least two paragliders side by side. Getting up is via a toll road with parking near the top, then roughly a 30-minute walk to launch. The mountain closes to flying every winter, from 31 October to 31 March, to protect wildlife: during that window, launches are only permitted from the sites on the summit plateau, and any flight must climb to the highest reasonable altitude and head east — launching from the Peter Rosegger site is banned outright, as is flying over the area below and west of the Stoderstraße road under 150 m above ground, since that whole area is a wildlife sanctuary in winter. Landing is near 'Stodermaut', where the toll for the access road is paid.

Launch & conditions

Multiple take-off spots covering north, southeast, south and northwest; the lower south launch is steep and not suited to beginners, while the others have room for at least two paragliders each.

Getting there & local rules

Reached via a toll road with parking near the top, then about a 30-minute walk to launch. Landing is near 'Stodermaut', at the road's toll point.

Local rules & hazards

The mountain is closed to flying every winter, 31 October to 31 March, to protect wildlife: launches are restricted to the summit-plateau sites, flights must climb high and head east, and launching from the Peter Rosegger site or flying under 150 m above ground west of the Stoderstraße road is banned outright during that window.

Check conditions before you fly

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