Meerfelder Maar Startplatz Süd

Meerfelder Maar Startplatz Süd is one of Germany's more unusual paragliding sites: it launches down into a volcanic crater lake — a maar — in the Eifel region of Rhineland-Palatinate, at around 520 m. Takeoff meadows sit along the crater rim, facing south and east, and cross-country flights are genuinely possible from here despite the small-scale setting. The reed beds and open water inside the crater are protected and strictly off-limits to overflight — this falls under a nature reserve with legal overflight bans that pilots are required to know before flying. Landing is down by a hotel at the maar, where an information board also covers the local rules. One hazard worth knowing before you commit to launch: the tall trees on the opposite slope of the Maarberg can throw real turbulence into the valley landing area, so the approach deserves respect even though the setting looks calm.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff meadows sit along the south and east side of the crater rim; tall trees on the opposite slope of the Maarberg can throw notable turbulence into the valley landing area.

Getting there & local rules

Landing is by a hotel down at the maar, where a posted information board covers the current local rules.

Local rules & hazards

This is a legally protected nature reserve — overflying the reed beds and open water inside the crater (Zone 1) is banned, and pilots are required to know these restrictions before flying, under the local conservation authority's rules.

Check conditions before you fly

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