Hörnleberg Süd – Startplatz

Hörnleberg Süd is a German launch at about 870 m, facing south to west, sitting in a wide gap in the terrain and quite steep as natural launches go. When the airflow comes cleanly from the south, ridge soaring works well here, and thermals typically start developing as early as midday — useful to know if you're planning around when the site actually comes alive rather than just when you arrive. Access up the hill is by a local club's shuttle bus rather than a public lift, so this is more of an organised-day site than a solo drive-up. Landing is at the dedicated Hörnleberg Landeplatz. Between the early midday thermal window and the steep, gap-set launch, this rewards pilots who plan their timing around the site's actual rhythm rather than just showing up whenever.

Getting there & local rules

Access to the launch is by a local club's shuttle bus rather than a public lift.

Local rules & hazards

With clean airflow from the south, ridge soaring works well here, and thermals typically develop as early as midday.

Check conditions before you fly

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