Jenzig Startplatz Nordwest

Jenzig Startplatz Nordwest is the northwest-facing counterpart of the Jenzig launches above the Saale valley near Jena, Thuringia, at about 385 m, inside the Mittleres Saaletal protected landscape area. As with the south launch on the same ridge, only pilots holding an unrestricted paragliding/hang-gliding licence may fly here, and the site operator keeps a launch marshal on hand during flying. The take-off has a cliff-like drop, so first-time visitors get a compulsory briefing on that before launching. Wind has to be steady enough to allow a safe abort, and tandem flights and training flights are not permitted here — it's a licensed-pilot site, not a first-timer's hill. Watch for power lines and similar hazards around the field. A dedicated landing area, Jenzig Landeplatz Nordwest, is provided, and only one car at a time may drive up to launch, by prior arrangement.

Launch & conditions

Launch faces northwest at about 385 m with the same cliff-like drop as the south-facing Jenzig launch nearby — a mandatory briefing covers this before your first flight. Only licensed pilots may fly, wind must allow a clean abort, and tandem or training flights are not allowed.

Getting there & local rules

Vehicle access to launch is limited to one car at a time, arranged with the site's caretaker in advance. Take all rubbish back down with you.

Local rules & hazards

The site lies inside the Mittleres Saaletal protected landscape area, so nature-conservation rules apply alongside the flying rules. Power lines and other hazards near the field are a known risk, and the cliff-like launch geometry means this is a licensed-pilot site rather than one for beginners or tandem flights.

Check conditions before you fly

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