Kleinheppacher Kopf / Oberer Greiner

Kleinheppacher Kopf, also known as Oberer Greiner, is a solid soaring hill when the wind cooperates, with cross-country flights possible for experienced pilots too, though harder won than at bigger sites — the reward is a fine panorama over the vineyards toward Stuttgart. Training flights aren't allowed here at all, and because the landing field is genuinely demanding, hang-glider pilots need an unrestricted licence and a club briefing before flying it. The launch sits inside a tightly controlled slice of airspace: entering Stuttgart's Class C/D or its control zone is never permitted, an altimeter is required, and every pilot gets briefed on the airspace structure, the region's special glider rules and the nearby VFR entry route E1 before their first flight. Only two vehicles may use the vineyard track during flying, and the landing approach must clear the county road (K 1912) by at least 50 m and never cross it.

Launch & conditions

Training flights are not permitted at this site. An altimeter is mandatory, and entering Stuttgart's Class C/D airspace or its control zone is never allowed — get briefed on the local airspace structure and the nearby VFR route E1 before your first flight.

Getting there & local rules

From the B29 (Schorndorf–Waiblingen or Stuttgart–Waiblingen/Schorndorf), exit at Waiblingen-Beinstein or Großheppach toward Kleinheppach and on toward Korb. Park at the landing field and walk up through the vineyard paths to launch. Only two vehicles may use the vineyard track during flying; otherwise it's on foot.

Local rules & hazards

The landing field is genuinely demanding, so hang-glider pilots need an unrestricted licence and a club briefing before flying here. The landing approach must clear the county road (K 1912) by at least 50 m horizontally and vertically and must never cross it — aim for the southern part of the field where possible.

Check conditions before you fly

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