Hochfirst

Hochfirst is a well-known Black Forest launch above Titisee, prized as much for the view over the lake and forest as for the flying. From the take-off just below the summit antenna, pilots get close to 400 m of working height — enough for a proper soaring session before heading down to land by the lake. Access is straightforward: a paved forest road climbs to a guesthouse near the antenna, right by launch. The catch is wind direction — Hochfirst only works cleanly in westerlies, and any crosswind component needs real caution on this flat, unforgiving launch. It's also an active training site: local schools fly students here, but only once they've logged at least ten height flights elsewhere and can run a solid launch on flat ground, and an instructor keeps radio contact from both launch and landing. Visiting pilots should expect company from student groups on busy days.

Launch & conditions

Launch sits just below the summit antenna on flat ground — westerly wind only, and any crosswind component needs real caution here.

Getting there & local rules

A paved forest road runs up to a guesthouse right by launch. Landing is at Titisee lake below.

Local rules & hazards

This is an active training site — schools fly here, but only with students who already have at least ten height flights elsewhere and can run a solid, flat-ground launch; an instructor keeps radio contact from both launch and landing. Expect student traffic on busy days.

Check conditions before you fly

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