Oppenau – Nordost (Ibacher Holzplatz)

Oppenau Nordost, also known by its Ibacher Holzplatz launch, sits inside a bird protection area in the Black Forest at 740 m, and the access rules here matter as much as the flying: reaching the launch is strictly on foot along the Höhenweg ridge trail, with signage at a fork keeping pilots on that trail and steering them onto the right-hand, gently descending path rather than any shortcut. West of the line running Schäfersfeld–Ibacher Holzplatz–Fuchsfelsen along the Höhenweg, a minimum flying height of 300 m applies as a low-flying exclusion zone, protecting the birdlife below. Flying is only permitted between two hours after sunrise and an hour before sunset. On weekends, holidays and the bridge days around them, the site operator appoints a launch marshal whose job is specifically to stop hang-glider or paraglider launches in unsafe conditions like lee or strong turbulence — their instructions are binding. Landing is at the Schäfersfeld-Bruhansenhof field, which also includes a practice slope.

Launch & conditions

Reached strictly on foot along the Höhenweg ridge trail — signage at a fork keeps pilots on the trail and onto the right-hand, gently descending path. Flying only between two hours after sunrise and an hour before sunset.

Getting there & local rules

Landing is at the Schäfersfeld-Bruhansenhof field, which also includes a practice slope.

Local rules & hazards

The launch sits inside a bird protection area: west of the Schäfersfeld–Ibacher Holzplatz–Fuchsfelsen line, a minimum flying height of 300 m applies as a low-flying exclusion zone. On weekends, holidays and bridge days, a launch marshal is on duty and stops launches in unsafe conditions like lee or strong turbulence — their instructions are binding.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Oppenau – Nordost (Ibacher Holzplatz), 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 Oppenau – Nordost (Ibacher Holzplatz) with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.