Churer Joch

Churer Joch is a west-facing launch above Tschiertschen in Switzerland's Graubünden region, at around 2,030 metres. It's a hike-up site: pilots walk up from the village, itself a short bus ride from Chur, so no car is needed to get there. A west wind is what the launch wants; when that lines up, the ridge gives access to a proper mountain flight over the surrounding terrain. Graubünden's valleys can produce their own local wind patterns, and föhn conditions are a known factor in this part of Switzerland, so checking the forecast carefully before heading up is worth the extra few minutes. Switzerland's airspace layout is also more layered than it first appears, so it's worth confirming current restrictions with the relevant authority rather than assuming. Reaching the launch on foot means budgeting time for the walk itself, and conditions at altitude can differ from what the valley suggests, so a fresh check right before takeoff is the safer habit. For pilots exploring eastern Switzerland by public transport, Churer Joch is a workable target that keeps the approach simple even though the flying conditions deserve full attention.

Launch & conditions

West-facing hike-up launch at ~2,030 m, reached on foot from Tschiertschen.

Getting there & local rules

Walk up from Tschiertschen village, which has a bus connection to Chur — no car needed.

Local rules & hazards

Swiss airspace here is layered, so confirm current restrictions before flying. Föhn conditions are a known local hazard — expect strong, gusty wind when it sets in.

Check conditions before you fly

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