Reichental

Reichental is a northwest-facing alternative to the well-known Merkur hill nearby, at 860 m in the Black Forest, and it earns its reputation as a demanding site the moment you look at the landing field: the LP sits down in a narrow valley and slopes as well, which is a proper Black Forest combination, so every pilot flying here gets a specific briefing on it beforehand. In good thermic conditions, Reichental works as the launch point for cross-country runs toward Freudenstadt. Access to the launch is along the side of the L76b state road, with parking preferably at the car park by the start of the Kreuzleweg — driving field or forest tracks to reach the site isn't permitted. Flying respects the forest's recreational use by everyone else: operations run no earlier than 9:00 and must stop at least 30 minutes before sunset. The landing field sits inside a landscape protection area and an FFH habitat zone with arnica stands, and smoking in the forest is banned by state law. Pilots are asked to tread lightly on the landing meadow and pack up their wings at its edge, not in the middle.

Launch & conditions

Access to the launch is along the side of the L76b state road, with parking preferably at the car park by the start of the Kreuzleweg — driving field or forest tracks to reach the site isn't permitted.

Local rules & hazards

The landing field is genuinely demanding: it sits in a narrow valley and slopes as well, so every pilot gets a specific briefing on it beforehand. It's also inside a landscape protection area and an FFH habitat zone with arnica stands — tread lightly on the meadow and pack up wings at its edge, not in the middle. Flying operations run 9:00 until 30 minutes before sunset, respecting other forest visitors, and smoking in the forest is banned by state law.

Check conditions before you fly

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