Schauinsland

Schauinsland is a demanding mountain to fly near Freiburg in the Black Forest, Germany, at about 1,180 m, flying west wind. The landing field sits a long way from launch with plenty of forest in between, so a minimum glide ratio of 5.5–6 is required to reach it safely, and training flights aren't permitted at all. The whole site lies inside a nature reserve, so a briefing from the local club is mandatory, and there's no top-landing option — you commit to the long glide. Pilots must clear the cable-car's support cables by at least 100 m, and a tram line between Günterstal and Wonnhalde needs at least 50 m clearance over its overhead wires. Launch numbers are tightly capped: normally 30 a day, with only 10 days a year (July–February) allowing up to 50, and two days a year (September–October) allowing up to 100. No more than five hang gliders can be rigged at launch at once, and everyone reaches launch by shared transport. Protected wetland and forest habitat near the landing field must stay undisturbed.

Launch & conditions

Launches are capped at 30 a day in general, with no more than five hang gliders rigged at launch at once; a briefing is required given the unusually long glide to landing.

Local rules & hazards

A minimum glide ratio of 5.5–6 is required to reach the landing field, which sits a long way from launch across a lot of forest — there's no top-landing option. Pilots must clear the cable-car's support cables by at least 100 m, and a tram line between Günterstal and Wonnhalde needs at least 50 m clearance over its overhead wires. Launch numbers are capped, normally 30 a day with limited exceptions to 50 or 100 on a handful of days a year, and protected wetland habitat near the landing field must stay undisturbed.

Check conditions before you fly

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