Geba Südwest (Helmershausen)

Geba Südwest is a south/southwest-facing hang site in the Thuringian Forest, set on the slopes of the Geba near a protected nature reserve — the kind of terrain that rewards keeping to the marked paths. The drive in follows the road between Helmershausen and Geba, turning off onto a field track just before the first bend; note that driving across the meadows themselves is off-limits to protect the reserve. Guest pilots check in and pay a small launch fee at the mountain guesthouse before flying. There are several landing options: the main landing field is paraglider-only, with a circuit that has to respect a road running along its north edge, while other landings nearby take both hang gliders and paragliders — though tandem hang-glider flights aren't allowed anywhere on site. It's a well-run local club site with clear rules for visitors.

Launch & conditions

South to southwest-facing launch on the slopes of the Geba, run by the local flying club — best in SW wind.

Getting there & local rules

Approach via the road between Helmershausen and Geba; turn onto the field track just before the first bend (never drive across the meadows — protected nature reserve). Guest pilots check in and pay a launch fee at the mountain guesthouse.

Local rules & hazards

The main landing field is for paragliders only, and its circuit must keep at least 50 m from the road along its north side; other landing options nearby take both hang gliders and paragliders, but tandem hang-glider flights aren't permitted anywhere on site. Follow the local club's flight operating rules.

Check conditions before you fly

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