Hörnle Startplatz

Hörnle is a genuinely beginner-friendly launch near Bad Kohlgrub in the Bavarian Alps, Germany, at about 1,450 m — a relaxed hike&fly and leisure-flying mountain reached by a comfortable chairlift, with the launch sitting just 50 m from the summit station. Flying only works in northerly wind; stronger west or east wind rules it out entirely, since it's a gap launch prone to turbulence in crosswind. Launching at the summit cross itself isn't allowed, nor toward the chairlift — keep the minimum distance. When cattle are grazing at the upper launch, pilots must launch only inside the fenced pasture area with no cows in the way. There's a launch and landing fee, payable in advance at the valley station or by phone via a QR code at the info board. Commercial tandem flights need the site holder's permission, though flying tandem as a favor has no such restriction. The landing field is the lower meadow in the Sonnen district only — pilots clear it immediately after landing and never drive a car to it.

Launch & conditions

The launch is a gap start, so crosswind brings turbulence — flying only works in northerly wind. Launching at the summit cross or toward the chairlift isn't allowed.

Getting there & local rules

Reached by a comfortable chairlift straight to launch; the landing field has paid parking at the valley station and in the Sonnen district — driving to the landing field itself isn't allowed.

Local rules & hazards

Flying only works in northerly wind; stronger west or east wind rules it out entirely, since it's a gap launch prone to turbulence in crosswind. Launching at the summit cross itself and toward the chairlift are both banned, and when cattle are grazing at the upper launch, pilots must stay inside the fenced pasture area with no cows in the way. There's a mandatory launch and landing fee, payable in advance at the valley station or by phone via a QR code at the info board.

Check conditions before you fly

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