Best Conditions
Description
Hochfelln, located in the Bergen region of Germany, offers a popular paragliding and hang gliding site with an elevation of 1660 meters and a height difference of 1130 meters. The best time to fly here is from May to July, with excellent cross-country (XC) potential for both paragliders (PG) and hang gliders (HG).
The main take-off direction is southeast (Süd-Ost), suitable for both PG and HG. However, avoid launching with northeast or western winds due to turbulence caused by the mountain station and ridge, which can lead to severe accidents shortly after take-off. Additionally, ski lift masts are located to the right of the launch site, posing another hazard.
The primary launch site is at Hochfellnkirchlein, featuring a flat grassy start that is often time-restricted. This site is not recommended for beginners due to the long distance to all landing zones. Access is available via cable car or on foot.
Be cautious of the Föhn wind, which can cause sudden and extreme turbulence even in seemingly flyable conditions, posing a life-threatening risk. From the mountain station eastward, northeast winds can create turbulence along the eastern ridge.
The landing zone is approximately 6 km away, and it is crucial to fly away with sufficient altitude. Expect strong northeast winds at the landing zone from around 11:00 AM. There are no landing spots along the valley where the cable car runs, but several emergency landing sites are available in the adjacent valley to the west (Kohlstatt, Sommerau, Pattenberg).
In the entire Hochfelln area, be aware of avalanche control cables, which require increased caution. The field path east of the landing zone must not be driven on by car, and the breakdown area is located on Lindenhofstraße. The landing meadow is used for agriculture and should not be used as a permanent parking spot.
Due to the presence of capercaillie, the west side of Hochfelln can only be overflown if you have reached summit height. Hochfelln is an excellent mountain for cross-country flights, with routes such as Hochfelln - Schmittenhöhe - Neukirchen am Großvenediger and Hochfelln - Erpfendorf - Hochries.
For more information, visit [Fellnflieger](http://www.fellnflieger.de/).
Difficulty: There are few landing options to the south, so do not fly too low towards the landing zone in Bergen. This site is not suitable for inexperienced pilots due to the distant landing zone and limited out-landing options.
On days with weak winds and thermals, it is advisable to start early and take the cable car at 9 AM. The house thermal rises from a sheltered basin on the southeast side. Missing this thermal may result in landing on an alpine pasture, as the landing zone is too far after several search loops. On days with weak winds (maximum 10 km/h at 2000 meters) from the north or west, the southeast house thermal is active until 11:30 AM. After 12 PM, it is usually unsafe to get airborne on the southeast slope with these winds. Hochfelln is not suitable for cross-country flights in stronger west or north winds.
Optimal conditions include a weak southeast wind, which facilitates the return flight from Pinzgau against the valley wind. With north winds, valley winds from the Bavarian foothills are stronger and reach higher altitudes.
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