Rampoldplatte

Rampoldplatte is an east-wind mountain launch above Brannenburg in the Bavarian Alps, at around 1,450 m, run by the local flying club. Access up is restricted to the club bus; without it, the only way in is a hike from the Gasthof Kogl guesthouse, past the Schlipfgrubalm hut and on to the village of Lechen before the takeoff. That makes it a site you plan ahead for rather than drop into casually. Pilots should also know that in strong east wind, the designated Rampoldplatte landing field down in Brannenburg gets genuinely hard to reach, so a backup landing plan matters here. The area sits within alpine pasture and protected habitat used by sensitive bird species, and the rules ask pilots to fly as high as possible over open alp terrain — especially with snow on the ground — to avoid disturbing wildlife that has nowhere to hide.

Launch & conditions

East-wind mountain launch reached only by the local club's bus, or on foot from the Gasthof Kogl guesthouse past the Schlipfgrubalm hut toward Lechen.

Getting there & local rules

Access up is by club bus only; the walking alternative starts at Gasthof Kogl and goes via the Schlipfgrubalm hut.

Local rules & hazards

In strong east wind, the landing field down in Brannenburg becomes hard to reach — plan an alternative. The surrounding alpine pastures hold protected, disturbance-sensitive bird species, so fly as high as possible over open ground, with extra care when there's snow cover.

Check conditions before you fly

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