Strinz – Margarethä (Am Herrmannsweg)

Strinz–Margarethä, at the Herrmannsweg near Idstein in Hesse, is a flatland winch-tow site rather than a hill launch — pilots get towed up rather than running off a slope, which makes it a solid, low-key spot to build airtime in calm or light east/west wind. There's no ridge or thermal terrain to read here; it's straightforward tow flying. Access is on foot only: cars stay parked at the edge of the village, and only the vehicle towing the winch and gear is allowed up to the launch itself. The site sits close to a known red kite nesting area, so during the breeding season, from mid-March to mid-July, flying keeps a wide berth to protect the birds — a rule the site takes seriously under German nature-conservation law. A quiet, well-regulated tow field for pilots who want reliable practice flights.

Launch & conditions

A winch-tow launch, not a hill site — tow operations run in west or east wind, or calm air, and stop the moment turbulence risk builds (crosswind, lee effect).

Getting there & local rules

Reach the launch on foot only — cars park at the edge of the village; only the winch and gear-transport vehicle is allowed to drive up.

Local rules & hazards

A red kite nesting area sits close to the site — during the breeding season, mid-March to mid-July, flying must keep at least 500 m clear to protect the birds, and operations pause altogether if a brood is at risk, under German species-protection law.

Check conditions before you fly

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