Paragliding – Hang gliding

The Speikboden was made very popular with long-distance fliers by Kurt Eder. The South Tyrolean rarely leaves his home country and is regularly seen to reach top positions in XC-competitions worldwide. This shows the potential of the area. The Speikboden is an excellent long-distance area both for beginners and for experienced pilots; flying is possible all year round, but the period from June to September offers the best conditions. The panorama of the area you fly through is breathtaking. In the south the view even extends to the central Dolomites. The Speikboden lies south of the Zillertaler Alps. For this reason it is affected by North wind; if it is too strong you are well-advised not to fly. The high and impressive Durreck massive lies directly behind it and protects the starting place even from modest North wind.

Starting place (level of difficulty: easy) on 2,450 m above sea level (GPS: N46°54´54´´ E011°53´57´´). You get to the upper terminal (2,000m) with the cable car Speikboden, then it is a seven-minute walk to the chairlift Sonnklar, which takes you up to 2, 400 m above sea level. There are various starting possibilities. The more beautiful starting places are situated to the west of the upper terminal. First you walk downhill for about ten minutes, then up the hill in the direction of the Speikboden summit. You pass meadows that show towards the south. Opposite them there is a North starting place. In the spring, with snow on the mountain, you can walk down the hill in eastern direction for some minutes and you will then find a beautiful South starting place. You can also continue to walk until you get to the cross. From here you can start towards the North, East and South.

Sand in Taufers: 870 m, GPS: N46°54´43´´ E011°57´38. A huge and obstacle-free meadow in the south-east of Sand. To get to the landing place you turn right towards Ahornach just before Sand and then drive on towards Kematen or the industrial area. It is situated next to the street, near the gym hall and the swimming pool. Signs and windsock are provided. The club asks you to respect and follow the rules of conduct listed and to pay the landing fees. Advise: Park the bike to get back your car. Under www.oberhollenzer.com you find bus connections (partly only weekdays) from the landing place (Citybus-stop „Sand i.T. industrial area”) until the bus stop in Sand in Taufers. Arrived there you take the regular bus towards Luttach, which will take you to the parking lot of the Speikboden lifts.

Falkenclub Ahrntal – Sand in Taufers
Tel: +39 0474 554 666
info@falkenclub.com
www.falkenclub.com

The texts and videos have been taken from the DVD-Guide
The Best Flying Sites of the Centeral and Eastern Alps
by Burkhard Martend and Nina-Renate Brümmer (Thermikwolke.de).

On Youtube you can see a spectacular preview of the Speikboden taken from this DVD.