Best Conditions
Description
Located in the Bregenzer Wald region of Austria, the Vordere Niedere site is a highly popular paragliding destination. With an elevation of 1551 meters and a height difference of 898 meters, it offers excellent soaring conditions and good cross-country (XC) opportunities. While achieving very long-distance flights can be challenging, the area is suitable for beginners and is considered a top spot for paragliding.
The site record for the Bregenzer Wald region is 78.1 km. The Vordere Niedere area, near Leo's Alm, features a large, flat launch area with an alpine character, making it ideal for flight training. Gentle thermals often allow for hours of flying, even for novice pilots.
The flying season at Vordere Niedere runs from May to October. Andelsbuch, a well-known location among pilots, offers launch sites in all directions. The Bregenzerwald-Card provides a free first mountain ride per day for stays of three nights or more.
Start and landing fees are included in the respective cable car fares. For more information on transportation, visit:
- [Bergbahnen Andelsbuch](http://www.bergbahnen-andelsbuch.at)
- [Bergbahnen Bezau](http://www.bergbahnen-bezau.at)
- [Diedamskopf](http://www.diedamskop.at)
The site is managed by Flugschule Bregenzerwald GmbH and is suitable for both paragliders and hang gliders. It is an approved training area, located about 7 minutes north of the mountain station. The landing area is conveniently situated near the parking lot and the valley station of the cable car.
Andelsbuch is renowned for its laminar ridge lift and excellent soaring conditions, especially in spring. The chairlift takes you to the launch sites, with a short hike to the large grassy launch area behind the mountain restaurant. The landing area is easily accessible, located directly behind the parking lot at the valley station. There is also a large landing field for hang gliders next to the main road. Note that there is a no-fly rule after 7 PM.
The Niedere flying area between Bezau and Andelsbuch is serviced by two cable cars: a chairlift from Andelsbuch and a gondola from Bezau. It offers good thermals in late winter and spring, making it a busy spot on weekends. The Andelsbuch side is a summer flying haven from April to September, with launch directions from west to northeast. The Bezau side is suitable for winter flying or early morning summer flights, from September to April, with a south-facing launch direction.
On a beautiful weekend, up to 100 paragliders can be in the air simultaneously. Unfortunately, there have been fatal accidents due to collisions. The Bezau launch site faces south, with options to start near the Baumgarten mountain station or after a 15-minute hike on the Niedere. Good conditions allow for significant altitude gains and cross-country flights towards the south.
The Andelsbuch launch site faces northwest, offering dynamic ridge lift for hours of flying in summer. The area is not very susceptible to Föhn winds, but flying becomes difficult with a significant south-to-north pressure gradient.
Both Bezau and Andelsbuch have spacious landing areas. Pilots must follow landing patterns and avoid flying over the cable car.
For more information on the cable car services, visit:
- [Bergbahnen Bezau](http://www.bergbahnen-bezau.at) or call (05514) 2254
Soaring conditions are generally excellent, allowing for long flights and easy altitude gains.
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