Hochzellberg

Hochzellberg is a steep, technical gap launch in the Bavarian Forest, Germany, at about 1,140 m, flying only in southwest wind. The lower part of the launch is littered with loose rock, so paragliders need a reverse launch or a launch assistant, and pilots only go when there's a clean headwind of around 10 km/h — never in zero, tail or crosswind, and the wing must never overshoot ahead of the pilot. Training flights aren't allowed here, and tandem flights are restricted to experienced pilots flying in sufficient headwind. Flying only happens from 1 April to 30 September, within a daily window from two hours after sunrise to an hour before sunset, and there's a strict no-fly zone below 100 m altitude to the north and east of launch. Hang glider pilots need practiced slope-landing technique, and everyone gets a hazard briefing before their first flight — especially about the rocks below the flight path, since overshooting the wing on launch has to be avoided at all costs.

Launch & conditions

The lower launch is littered with loose rock, so paragliders need a reverse launch or a launch assistant; hang glider pilots need practiced slope-landing technique.

Getting there & local rules

Vehicles park at public lots; the forest road toward the Panoramaloipe needs prior permission from the local forest office, otherwise access is on foot.

Local rules & hazards

Launches only happen in a clean headwind around 10 km/h — never in zero, tail or crosswind — and the wing must never overshoot ahead of the pilot, since loose rock sits just below the launch. Flying is limited to 1 April–30 September, within a daily window of two hours after sunrise to one hour before sunset, plus a no-fly zone below 100 m north and east of launch. Training flights aren't permitted, and tandem flights are restricted to experienced pilots in sufficient headwind.

Check conditions before you fly

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