Kohleckle / Berghaupten

Kohleckle, above Berghaupten in the Black Forest, is one of the few east- and southeast-facing launches in the region, a rare option when most local sites need a west wind. Local pilots have flown the hill since 1976, and paragliding was added here in 1998. The takeoff sits in a forest clearing, and the site has a good reputation for soaring — though it's considered a demanding launch, not a casual one. Landing is down in the Kinzig valley, and the valley floor carries a lot of overhead power lines, so the approach needs planning around them rather than an improvised line at the last minute. Site rules are posted on location and should be followed. Between the unusual east-facing orientation, real soaring potential, and a power-line-heavy landing approach, it rewards pilots who plan the flight rather than winging the landing.

Local rules & hazards

The Kinzig valley below carries a lot of overhead power lines — plan the landing approach around them rather than deciding at the last minute. On-site rules are posted and should be followed.

Check conditions before you fly

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