Wittekindsburg / Porta Westfalica

Wittekindsburg, at Porta Westfalica in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a launch at about 235 m flying south and southwest wind between 170° and 240°, ideally 15–35 km/h. Getting to launch is best done by shared transport, though paragliders can also walk up; if launch activity happens near the hilltop hotel or its outdoor café, cars have to be moved off the lot right after unloading, down to the landing meadow or a backup spot 300 m below — and no launch prep on the terrace in that case. A designated launch marshal, rotating among the pilots present, always has to be named, and tandem paragliding flights aren't allowed at all. Launching takes real skill: paraglider pilots need good reverse-launch technique and fly solo after a briefing, while hang glider mountain launches get genuinely tricky in stronger wind, with a tendency for the right wing to lift — never launch with the wing hanging unevenly. The roughly 350 m landing meadow doubles as an ultralight tow field, and overnight accommodation is available in the on-site clubhouse for pilots who've traveled a long way.

Launch & conditions

Paraglider pilots need good reverse-launch technique and fly solo after a briefing; hang glider mountain launches get tricky in stronger wind, with a tendency for the right wing to lift — never launch with the wing hanging unevenly.

Getting there & local rules

Best reached by shared transport, though paragliders can walk up too — avoid driving individually, and head to the landing meadow first to form a carpool.

Local rules & hazards

A designated launch marshal, rotating among the pilots present, must always be named at this site, and tandem paragliding flights aren't allowed at all. Paraglider pilots need good reverse-launch technique and fly solo after a briefing; hang glider mountain launches get genuinely tricky in stronger wind, with a tendency for the right wing to lift — never launch with the wing hanging unevenly. If launch activity happens near the hilltop hotel or café, cars must be moved off the lot right after unloading, down to the landing meadow or a backup spot 300 m below, with no launch preparation on the terrace.

Check conditions before you fly

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