Gschasi – Gferch

Gschasi–Gferch is a west-facing thermal site in Germany's Black Forest, at 990 m, described locally as a great introduction to Schwarzwald thermalling for both hang glider and paraglider pilots. The slope favours south-west through north-west winds and comes into its own in the afternoon, working best from midday through into the evening as the day heats up — a useful site if you want a later start rather than a dawn mission. Access to the take-off is by the local flying club's bus rather than a public road, which keeps things simple once you're plugged into how the site runs. The Gschasi landing field serves the site below. It's a solid, welcoming site to build thermal experience on rather than a technical or high-consequence launch.

Launch & conditions

West-facing, working southwest through northwest winds, and strongest from early afternoon into the evening as the slope heats up.

Getting there & local rules

Access to the launch is by the local flying club's bus.

Check conditions before you fly

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