Pöhlberg

Pöhlberg is a 755 m mountain launch above Annaberg-Buchholz in Saxony's Erzgebirge, flying on east, southeast and south winds with landing at the dedicated Pöhlberg LP field below. Access here is unusually tightly managed under an agreement between the local flying club and the Erzgebirgskreis nature conservation authority: flying is limited to the March–September season, capped at fifteen flying days a year with no more than five pilots aloft at once, and the site closes completely between 10 May and 10 June. Every flying day is logged so the numbers can be shown to the authority on request. Only the launch and landing areas mapped out in that agreement may be used — an outside landing is allowed only as a genuine emergency — and landing on any paddock where livestock is grazing is strictly forbidden. Driving a vehicle on the Pöhlberg circular walking path is banned at all times, flying or not. New pilots are briefed on these particulars by the site operator before their first flight here.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is capped at fifteen days a year with no more than five pilots at a time, permitted only from March to September and closed entirely between 10 May and 10 June to protect the nature reserve. Only the mapped launch and landing areas may be used — landing on grazing paddocks is strictly forbidden, and driving on the Pöhlberg circular path is banned at all times.

Check conditions before you fly

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