Reinhardsmunster

Reinhardsmunster is a north-eastern French Vosges site above the Alsatian plain, with a classic XC line running north to Haut-Barr castle. Launch sits around 460 m, and the flying ceiling is 1,520 m under the local airspace agreement. This one's regulated: no flying Monday 06:00 to Friday 15:00 (military zone), and the whole site is closed in September for the annual deer rutting season ('Brame du Cerf'). Access to the site is strictly forbidden that month. The takeoff itself is very technical and can be dangerous in strong wind — magic-lift evenings appear here on some days.

Launch & conditions

Launch at 460 m. Very technical takeoff, can be dangerous in strong wind. Do not take off within 30 minutes of sunset. Read the info panel at the takeoff.

Getting there & local rules

In Reinhardsmunster, turn left onto the road to Obersteigen. 1 km later go straight ahead onto the forest road, which leads to a car park at an intersection after 6 km. From the parking, head south — two paths climb to takeoff. Main path: behind the wooden ramp/gate, 100 m along the forest road, then a small path on the right, diagonally up the hill 100 m to takeoff (info panel at the top). Alternative path: starts 20 m west of the ramp, parallel and slightly higher — always stay left. Landing at 280 m: 500 m before Reinhardsmunster on the left (coming from Hangwiller), park on the small path — the LZ is the second field by the hill.

Local rules & hazards

Weekdays: contact the Phalsbourg air base first thing (first pilot up) AND on the last landing of the day — mandatory. No flying Monday 06:00 to Friday 15:00 (military zone). Max altitude 1,520 m. Whole site is CLOSED in September (usually the entire month) for the 'Brame du Cerf' — deer rutting — do not enter the site. Do not take off within 30 min of sunset.

Check conditions before you fly

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