Wöllaner Nock

Wöllaner Nock launches from 1,982 m in Austria, right from the summit, with genuinely great soaring conditions specifically on west wind — though the launch itself works in pretty much every direction, with the east side just a bit steeper than the rest. Getting there has two real options: via Bad Kleinkirchheim, taking the Kaiserburg gondola and then a 15-minute walk, or via Arriach, driving to the Walderhütte and walking about 20 minutes from there. This isn't a regularly managed flying site, so there's no formal site regulation to follow — which also means no local infrastructure to lean on if conditions turn, so self-sufficiency matters more here. The one clear weather warning: stay well away from thunderstorms, and watch specifically for north Föhn, a wind pattern that can turn this site's conditions dangerous quickly. With thermals, soaring, cross-country and hike-and-fly all workable across a wide range of directions, it's a versatile mountain, but the informal status means you're relying on your own judgment more than usual.

Getting there & local rules

Via Bad Kleinkirchheim: take the Kaiserburg gondola, then walk about 15 minutes. Via Arriach: drive to the Walderhütte, then walk about 20 minutes.

Local rules & hazards

Stay well away from thunderstorms, and watch specifically for north Föhn — it can turn conditions here dangerous quickly. This is not a regularly managed site, so there's no formal regulation or local infrastructure to rely on.

Check conditions before you fly

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