Obere Tonhalde

Obere Tonhalde is a south/southwest/west-facing launch at about 800 m on the Swabian Alb near Buttenhausen, Baden-Württemberg. Visiting pilots are welcome, but registration is required beforehand, and guest flights are only permitted for pilots holding a valid annual pass or club membership — unauthorised flying isn't tolerated here and can lead to a report. There's car parking at the landing field, and the launch itself can be driven up to. A handful of practical rules keep the site workable for everyone: hang-glide launches need a proper headwind so the take-off run finishes before the ridge edge, and the juniper heath just downhill of the launch area is off-limits for launching through. Nobody launches while hikers are on the trail below, and winch starts only happen when the launch point and winch operator have a clear line of sight to each other. Farming, forestry and general recreational use all take priority over flying, and any path used to reach the site needs the landowner's consent.

Launch & conditions

Hang-glider launches need a proper headwind so the take-off run finishes before the ridge edge. Nobody launches while hikers are visible on the trail below, and winch starts require a clear line of sight between launch and winch operator.

Getting there & local rules

Registration is required before flying as a guest, and guest flights need a valid annual pass or club membership — flying without either isn't tolerated and can lead to a report. Parking is at the landing field, and the launch itself is drivable.

Local rules & hazards

The juniper heath just downhill of the launch is off-limits for launching through. Farming, forestry and general recreational use take priority over flying here, and paths to the site may only be used with the landowner's consent.

Check conditions before you fly

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