Drachenwiese (Groundhandling only)

Drachenwiese is a groundhandling-only field in Karlsruhe, Germany, at around 96 metres — flat open ground for wing practice rather than an actual flying launch. Being flat and unobstructed, it works in wind from any direction, which makes it a flexible fallback for kiting practice regardless of the day's forecast. Wind here tends to run a bit lighter than at the more open sites nearby, so pilots often head here specifically when conditions elsewhere are running too strong to work with comfortably. The field is shared with a kite-flying club that has the stronger claim to the space, and the relationship between the two groups has stayed good specifically because paragliding pilots are careful not to get in the way — a dynamic worth respecting rather than testing. For anyone wanting a reliable, low-wind spot to drill ground skills in Karlsruhe, Drachenwiese fills that role, as long as the kite flyers are treated as the primary users of the space.

Launch & conditions

Groundhandling-only flat field at ~96 m — usable from any wind direction.

Local rules & hazards

This field is shared with a kite-flying club that has the stronger claim to the space — be considerate of them to keep the relationship good. Wind here tends to run lighter than at more open sites nearby, so it's a good fallback when conditions elsewhere are too strong.

Check conditions before you fly

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