Mergesfeld Süd

Mergesfeld Süd is a winch-tow site in the scenic Nahe valley in Rhineland-Palatinate, run by a flying club with around 100 active members, at about 195 m on flat, open ground for tows toward north and south. The club runs roughly 40 scheduled tow days a year between March and October, on Sundays and public holidays, and visiting pilots are welcome. Basic paraglider training happens here, including winch-launch training, but hang-glider training is restricted to licence holders working toward their own winch-tow qualification — this isn't an entry point for brand-new hang glider pilots. Tandem flights are only flown on paragliders, and step-towing isn't permitted for either type of wing. Roads to the north and south of the launch points must be overflown at a minimum of 50 m, both in height and horizontal distance. To protect ground-nesting birds like skylarks and stonechats, low flying over the site is not allowed.

Launch & conditions

Winch-tow launch at about 195 m for tows toward north and south, on flat open ground. Basic paraglider training and winch-launch training run here; hang-glider training is limited to licence holders working toward a winch-tow qualification.

Getting there & local rules

The club runs roughly 40 scheduled tow days a year, March to October, on Sundays and public holidays. Visiting pilots are welcome.

Local rules & hazards

Roads north and south of the launch points must be overflown at a minimum 50 m, both in height and horizontal distance. Tandem flights are only flown on paragliders, and step-towing isn't permitted at all. To protect ground-nesting birds like skylarks and stonechats, low flying over the site is not allowed.

Check conditions before you fly

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