Stohl

Stohl is a steep-coast (Steilküste) launch on the Baltic coast near Kiel, at only about 20 m, facing northeast. It's a seasonal site by design: flying is only permitted from 1 October to 14 April each year, a window set specifically to protect sand martins nesting in the cliff face during breeding season. Even inside that window, the rules stay active — no launching whenever hikers are on the path in the launch direction, and pilots must always keep a safety distance from people on the coastal trail and beach below. Every pilot has to be briefed on the site's particular conditions by the site holder before flying, and anyone without previous steep-coast experience needs a further briefing from an experienced local pilot before their first launch here — flying off a low sea cliff has its own hazards that inland sites don't teach. Between the coastal setting and the layered briefing requirements, it rewards taking the local orientation seriously.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is only permitted 1 October–14 April each year, to protect nesting sand martins in the cliff. No launching when hikers are on the path in the launch direction, and a safety distance from people on the trail and beach is always required. Every pilot needs a site briefing, and pilots new to steep-coast flying need a further briefing from an experienced local pilot before their first launch.

Check conditions before you fly

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