Plan your paragliding and tandem flights

The Rofan mountains offer great thermals for cross-country flights, and the challenging flying site is also a popular test area for paraglider manufacturers. In the mornings, the Rofan usually has ideal calm conditions.

On thermally active days, take-offs in the afternoon are highly susceptible to strong turbulence and therefore reserved for experienced pilots.

Likewise, the wind in the valley usually shifts to the north in the afternoon, with wind speeds of over 30km/h possible. Watch out for whitecaps in the lake!

The Achental is also susceptible to foehn winds. If the wind flows south, please get the wind report and history from Patscherkofel (TAWES report). In the Rofan, there are also strong valley winds, which must be considered for landing.

• Ascent: by the Rofan cable car (Maurach am Achensee)
• Launch site: The enclosed launch site is next to the Mauritzalm, ca. 7 minutes’ walk from the top station of the Rofan cable car. Access is via the hiking trail. (Wind information: webcam Holfuy Rofan)
• Direction: S-NW
• Difference in altitude: 861m
• Landing site: Large meadow south of the roundabout in Maurach within five minutes’ walk from the valley station of the Rofan cable car. (Wind information: webcam Holfuy Hubertus and Tiwag-Achensee-Pertisau)
• Take-off and landing fees: Payable at the cash desk of the Rofan cable car.
• Terrain keeper/responsibility: The Aeroclub Achensee is the terrain keeper of the flying site and therefore responsible for the launch and landing sites. For more information about the flying site and regulations, visit www.aeroclub-achensee.at.

In the morning, the Zwölferkopf flying site is ideal for scenic flights, whereas take-offs in the afternoon are susceptible to strong turbulence due to the two valley winds from south-east and north.

Are you interested in soaring in the north wind? Then the terrain keeper recommends a very late take-off and a delayed landing. The winds can remain strong, gusty and turbulent well into the evening hours.

The paragliding school Achensee uses the flying site for safety trainings. Guideline: If you are new to the terrain, do not take off if there are no more training flights (beware of the valley winds).

• Ascent: by the Karwendel cable car (Pertisau am Achensee)
• Launch sites: three launch sites (next to the top station of the Karwendel cable car), one in a northerly direction and two in a westerly direction
• Direction: N-E
• Difference in altitude: 539m
• Two landing sites: near Hotel Bergland and Hotel Wiesenhof in Pertisau
• Take-off and landing fees: payable at the cash desk of the Karwendel cable car
• Terrain keeper/responsibility: The paragliding school Achensee is responsible for the launch and landing sites. For more information visit https://www.gleitschirmschule-achensee.at/.

Looking for a hang-gliding experience? The gondola of the Rofan cable car is suitable to transport hang-gliders up the mountain, letting pilots enjoy a bird’s eye view of Lake Achensee.

• Ascent: by the Rofan cable car (Maurach am Achensee)
• Launch site: The launch ramp is in front of the Erfurter Hütte which lies directly adjacent to the mountain station of the Rofan cable car.
• Landing site: Large meadow south of the roundabout in Maurach within five minutes’ walk from the valley station of the Rofan cable car. (Wind information: webcam Holfuy Hubertus and Tiwag-Achensee-Pertisau)
• Take-off and landing fees: Payable at the cash desk of the Rofan cable car.
• Terrain keeper/responsibility: The Aeroclub Achensee is the terrain keeper of the flying site and therefore responsible for the launch and landing sites. For more information about the flying site and regulations, visit, www.aeroclub-achensee.at.

Take-off and landing sites may only be used with a valid flight licence, liability insurance and after payment of the take-off and landing fees, which must always be paid on site. Tandem flights offered by flight schools are exclusively carried out by licensed pilots.