Hesselberg Südhang Startplatz

Hesselberg's south-facing launch shares the mountain's easy reputation — about 190 m of height difference and a site generally considered beginner-friendly — but this side comes with one extra expectation: a confident reverse-launch technique. It's the one skill that separates the north and south sides here, so make sure you've got it dialed in before choosing this launch over the other. Like the rest of Hesselberg, this is a popular local excursion spot, and weekends bring crowds of bus tourists, families, hikers, model-flying groups and kids flying kites, so launches and landings both call for real attentiveness rather than routine. Guest pilots are genuinely welcome, and that welcome depends on everyone following the same rules — every pilot, visitors included, gets briefed on the site's flight-operating rules before flying. Toplanding is possible on the western half of the Osterwiese meadow when it's safe to do so, though paraglider landings aren't allowed in the area used by model fliers.

Launch & conditions

South-facing launch at about 689 m with roughly 190 m of height difference — generally beginner-friendly, but this side specifically calls for a confident reverse-launch technique.

Getting there & local rules

Guest pilots are welcome, but weekends bring heavy foot traffic from bus tourists, families, hikers and model-flying groups — extra caution at launch and landing matters here.

Local rules & hazards

Toplanding is allowed on the western half of the Osterwiese meadow only when it's genuinely safe for people and property nearby; paraglider landings aren't permitted in the area used by model fliers.

Check conditions before you fly

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