Alp Scheidegg (Wald)

Alp Scheidegg (Wald) is a southwest/west-facing site above Wald in the Zürich Oberland, Switzerland, launching at about 1,196 m and known for reliable thermals, soaring and cross-country flying; hang-glider pilots have a ramp available at launch. A parking permit (CHF 10/day or CHF 50/year) is required for pilots' vehicles, and parking space is limited, so sharing rides up is worth planning. Airspace is the defining feature here: the site sits directly under Zürich–Dübendorf's control zone, so the hard ceiling is 1,700 m AMSL — rising to 2,300 m only on weekends when the military is stood down and the neighbouring 'Bachtel Ost' glider area is active, which then requires permanently monitoring radio frequency 122.300. Model gliders also share this airspace. Don't fly here in foehn, northwest wind or Bise — all three are flagged as genuinely dangerous at this site. The main hang-gliding landing is at Gibswil, with top-landing possible only in a designated area; paraglider pilots have a couple of alternative landing zones nearby.

Launch & conditions

Hang-glider pilots have a launch ramp; paragliders foot-launch in southwest or west wind. Airspace is tight here — max altitude is 1,700 m AMSL under the Dübendorf control zone, rising to 2,300 m only on weekends when the adjoining glider area is active and you're permanently monitoring 122.300.

Getting there & local rules

Parking for pilots is limited and requires a permit sticker (CHF 10/day or CHF 50/year) — share rides up where you can, and park only in the designated pilot area.

Local rules & hazards

This is a genuinely sensitive airspace area: stay under 1,700 m AMSL unless the neighbouring glider zone is confirmed active, and expect model gliders sharing the same airspace. Avoid flying in foehn, northwest wind or Bise — all three are called out as hazardous here.

Check conditions before you fly

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