Wirzweli – Horn

Wirzweli – Horn is a north-facing launch at about 1,470 metres above Dallenwil, reached by cable car rather than a hike, which keeps access straightforward for a mountain site. The single most important thing to know before flying anywhere in this area is that the Engelberger valley below has many cables strung across it — often unmarked and hard to spot from the air — so route planning and altitude margin matter more here than the launch or landing alone. The site only works with a north wind, so it's worth waiting for that specific direction rather than hoping a nearby forecast will translate. As with mountain flying elsewhere in Switzerland, the airspace structure is more layered than it appears, and it's worth checking current restrictions before committing to a flight. Cable-car access makes Wirzweli – Horn an easy launch to reach, but the valley hazard below means this is a site where careful route planning matters as much as the takeoff itself.

Launch & conditions

North-facing launch at ~1,470 m, reached by cable car from Dallenwil.

Getting there & local rules

Cable car from Dallenwil.

Local rules & hazards

The Engelberger valley below has many cables, often unmarked and hard to spot from the air — plan your route and altitude margin with this in mind. Switzerland's airspace is also more layered than it looks, so confirm current restrictions before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

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