Spieser Startplatz

Spieser Startplatz sits at 1,641 m above Oberjoch in the Allgäu Alps, reached entirely on foot — there's no lift here, just a hiking trail up from the village to the summit ridge, so it's a walk & fly launch in the true sense. The takeoff itself is on alpine meadows above Oberjoch, and flying is only permitted from 9 a.m. until sunset. The rules here are precise about direction and altitude: two rock faces near the Hirschberg summit, the Kräherwand to the east and the Kellerwand to the south, may only be overflown with real height in hand, and launches from the Hirschberg itself are allowed westward only. Down at the Busbahnhof landing field, the approach is equally structured — pilots line up from the south, then fly final in an east-west line running parallel to the road below, keeping a solid safety margin from the traffic the whole way in.

Launch & conditions

Launches allowed 9 a.m. until sunset. Launches from the Hirschberg are westerly only, and the Kräherwand (east) and Kellerwand (south) rock faces near the summit must only be overflown with plenty of height in hand.

Getting there & local rules

Walk & fly — hike from Oberjoch on the marked trail up to the summit ridge; no lift access.

Local rules & hazards

At the Busbahnhof landing field, always set up the approach from the south, then fly final east or west, parallel to the road, keeping a safe distance from traffic throughout.

Check conditions before you fly

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