Page 26 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

AUSTRIAN ALPS

Hohe Wand, Vienna
If you ever wanted to combine a trip to
one of Europe’s most beautiful cities with

paragliding, this is your perfect choice. The
Hohe Wand (High Wall) is situated only
one hour’s drive south of Vienna, Austria’s
capital. The 5km-long ridge stretches from the
northeast to the southwest, making it best for
flying in wind directions S, SE and E. With a
500m difference between launch and landing
you have a great view towards the Hungarian
border and the grasslands of the Puszta, one
of Europe’s largest expanses of protected
prairie. Whilst the Hohe Wand is mostly good
for soaring and easy thermalling, on good

days you can continue on XC flights south and
southwest and follow higher ground into the
Styrian Alps. Make sure to buy a day pass at
the Alpengasthof Postl and get in contact with
the local paragliding school, Fly Hohe Wand,
for details regarding flying conditions and
shuttle service.
fly-hohewand.at
Photos: Martin Lifka

Gerlitzen, Villach

The El Dorado of the Austrian acro scene is
in the south, close to the Slovenian border.
Take-off is just north of Lake Ossiacher,
making it the perfect playground for
freestyle and acro pilots, or SIV training
offered by local acro pilot Xandi Meschuh
(X-Art Paragliding) or the paragliding
school, Airsthetik. Gerlitzen is also in the
middle of a diverse tourist region and ski

resort, guaranteeing that the Kanzelbahn lift
operates during both seasons.
Airspace restrictions mean you can’t fly
higher than 300m above peak level, so it is
not the best for XC. But with up to 1,400m
difference between launch and landing,
Gerlitzen gives you plenty of time to boogie
in the air. There are two landing spots on the

west shore of the lake. Either at the Flieger
Base or directly next to it on the official
landing field of the Kaerntner Paragliding
School.
www.xandi.me, kaerntner-flugschulen.at
Photo: Marcus King

26 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 AUSTRIAN ALPS