Hörpel

Hörpel is a winch-launch flatland site on farmland near Hamburg, run by the Hamburger Drachenflieger club and flown on north or south wind at just 80 m. It's an active hang-gliding site with regular scheduled flying — typically every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday from mid-March to mid-October when the weather cooperates — and guests are genuinely welcome, though flying is by arrangement rather than drop-in. The tow strip runs along field tracks, which get closed off to other traffic whenever flying is underway, and pilots are asked to stay considerate of the farm vehicles that share the land the rest of the time. The rules scale with how high you release: launching on a 170° heading caps release height at 300 m and wind speed at 20 km/h, while the 350° heading allows release up to 760 m. Any release above 450 m above ground requires solid radio contact between the towed pilot and the winch operator or launch director, and pilots need to stay mindful of a nearby road and power line throughout.

Launch & conditions

Winch (tow) launch on farm field tracks; works on north or south wind. Releasing on a 170° heading caps height at 300 m and wind at 20 km/h; on 350°, release is allowed up to 760 m. Above 450 m release height, reliable radio contact with the winch operator or launch director is required.

Getting there & local rules

Flying is by arrangement, typically Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from mid-March to mid-October when the weather allows; guests are welcome.

Local rules & hazards

The field track used as the tow strip must be closed off during flight operations, and pilots should stay considerate of agricultural traffic. Watch for a nearby road and power line throughout the flight.

Check conditions before you fly

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