Zillertaler Höhenstrasse – Melchboden (Mayrhofen)

The Zillertaler Höhenstrasse launch at Melchboden, above Mayrhofen in the Zillertal Alps, sits high at roughly 2,005 m and opens up thermic, cross-country-friendly flying with hiking access to nearby ridgelines. Best conditions come from the northeast through southeast, and the takeoff itself is a large, open meadow that's straightforward to launch from. Getting there means driving the toll road for the upper launch points or catching a local bus up the valley. Landing is equally simple: a big meadow right by a flight school, easy to reach and forgiving on approach. The one condition worth watching is the wind itself — the Zillertal is known for building strong valley wind through summer afternoons, so conditions that look calm in the morning can pick up noticeably later in the day. Between the altitude, the open thermal terrain and the easy in/out, it's a solid base for longer flights in the Zillertal.

Local rules & hazards

Valley wind in the Zillertal can build to very strong in summer, especially later in the day — treat a calm morning as no guarantee for the afternoon.

Check conditions before you fly

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