Fensterbachtal – Dürnsricht

Fensterbachtal – Dürnsricht is a heavily used winch-tow site in Bavaria, Germany, at about 375 m, built around a genuinely long 1,000 m tow line — well above what most winch sites offer. The site runs a stationary two-drum winch and tows both hang gliders and paragliders, with launches on either an east or west wind. Because there's nothing in the surrounding landscape to disturb the airflow — no mountains or other terrain that would generate turbulence — the wind here tends to arrive laminar and clean, which makes for smooth, predictable tows. The area is also known for genuinely good cross-country conditions, especially in spring, when the long tow line and open terrain combine to give pilots real height and distance to work with. Visiting pilots are welcomed here rather than merely tolerated, and hang glider towing is available alongside paragliding.

Launch & conditions

Winch tow with a 1,000 m tow line and a stationary two-drum winch; tows both hang gliders and paragliders. Favorable wind from the east or west, typically arriving laminar with little turbulence.

Getting there & local rules

Visiting pilots are welcome; hang glider towing is available alongside paragliding.

Check conditions before you fly

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