9 places to do paragliding in Alsace

Do as the bird and fly away with these 9 places to make paragliding in Alsace!

Who never dreamed of flying? What’s more with the beautiful landscapes of Alsace under your feet and the peaks of Massif des Vosges online? If the activity is not the tourist fame that can be found in other regions, the East of France still has friendly spots to fly away.

Many free flight clubs exist where you can find out. Some even offer two-seater flights with a monitor to initiate you to discipline.

To guide you in your choice, here is our selection of 9 places to make paragliding in Alsace.

1. Breitenbach

Located less than an hour south of Strasbourg , this spot is one of the best known to make paragliding in Alsace. Its take-off site is at Pelage at an altitude of 970 meters on Champ-du-Feu. The landing is mainly on Le Plateau but other sites are possible depending on the weather conditions.

The air space is regulated on this spot, you can’t exceed 1,350 meters above sea level. Similarly, the take-off site is managed by the Grand Vol Paragliding School Club. It is with them that you can fly two-seater flights or formations. If you are licensed to fly alone, you must also request an authorization.

From above you have a beautiful view of the green and wooded hills of Val de Villé in the Bas-Rhin. To access the take-off site, park on the Chemin de la Chaume des Veaux above the village of Breitenbach and end on foot.

2. L’Altenberg – rock of the cuckoo

This site at the top of the Schlossberg is very well known to those who practice paragliding in Alsace, it is considered one of the best. It has a very good performance, especially in East/North-East. The take-off site is located in the town of Neubois, close to the Frankenbourg castle.

The landing is near the village of Breitenau in the direction of Newfoundland. Of course, during the flight you will have the opportunity to admire the ruins of the fortified castle and enjoy the magnificent view of the vals of Villé and Lièpvre.

The take-off site is only accessible for holders of a pass issued by the Delta Club des Cigognes. In addition, flights are prohibited between November and March. Similarly, you can only take off between 11am and 6pm. Finally, the maximum permissible altitude is 1,520 metres.

3. Mundolsheim

It is a very small site frequented by individuals who just bought a veil and want to try it. It is just a few kilometers from Strasbourg, just 10 minutes by car. And the denial is only 45 meters away.

In summary, it is mainly for free flight practitioners who have been trained to fly solo. On the other hand, for those who control it, the site has the advantage of having a often favorable wind that allows to make dynamic ascent for a long time.

4. Reinhardsmunster

This paragliding site in Alsace also has a small gap of about 180 metres. However, you can practice long East wind soaring. From there, depending on the weather conditions, you can go to the castle of Haut-Barr before returning to the village of Reinhardmunster, near which the landing site is located.

Another great possibility is to fly you to the Alsace plain, which is right in front of the takeoff. For beginners or in the event of too strong wind, there is also a school slope that allows to practice static flight.

To get to the site, you have to go to the village of the same name in the Bas-Rhin. Once you have crossed it, you have to go to the Wangenbourg and climb to the intersection of the Billebaum where you can park. As with all paragliding sites, you have to end up on foot.

Before you start a free flight on this site, contact the Aerozorn association that manages it. It is forbidden to fly in the week due to helicopter pilot training.

5. Schwarzbach

If you are beginner paragliders, this paragliding spot is ideal. It is a small site of less than 180 metres that allows for take-off and landing as the slope is soft and grassy. In case of good North-West thermodynamic conditions, you can fly longer to Shirmeck.

However, the altitude is limited to 1520 metres and you must be careful not to enter the regulated air space of Strasbourg.

This paragliding site in Alsace is managed by the Ribamb’ailes club to whom you can ask for flight conditions. To get there, you have to cross the village of Schwarzbach and then take the direction of Russ. Then you have to take the first forest path on your left.

6. Belmont

A little altitude is resumed with this paragliding site in Alsace at about 50 kilometers from Strasbourg. It is located at 920 meters above sea level and is quite popular on weekends as it allows for slope flight. This spot is therefore for confirmed paragliders who can practice maneuverability and figures.

Among the landscapes you can admire, there is the Champ de Feu which is also a winter sports resort. You can also fly over the Col de la Perheux and enjoy the beauty of the summits that mark the horizon line. The best moments to fly are when the wind is oriented South West, West. For the maximum altitude, it is 1,520 metres.

There is no official landing site. Either you choose to land at the starting point, or you can do it to the village of Walsderbach.

Access to the site is made by the village of Belmont located below the Champ du Feu in the direction of Schirmeck. The Ribamb’ailes club is registered as site manager.

7. Gaschney Petithohneck

The Petithohneck take-off site is located on the Gaschney ski resort in Muhlbach-sur-Munster in the Vosges massif. With its 1,290 meters of altitude, it is perfect to take full view and admire the landscapes of mountains; provided you are a confirmed paraglider if you choose to fly free. The favourable winds must be south-east, south-west or south-west.

There is a possibility to rest on take-off or in a meadow near the village of Muhlbach. Adrenaline and beautiful views are necessarily at the rendezvous on this spot!

To get there, it’s in the Munster Valley that’s happening. We must take the direction of the Gaschney station from Muhlbach-sur-Munster. Once in the station, you must pass under the chairlift and park in the parking lot of the hostel.

8. Schnepfenried mittlach

It is one of the most frequented sites to make paragliding in Alsace. Ski resort in winter, the Schnepfenried attracts paragliders and tourists in the summer. It is normal, it is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the region. The take-off takes place on the site of the Mittlach at an altitude of 1,245 metres with a height of 600 metres.

The spot is mainly oriented Is but it is possible to fly with a north-east wind. The soaring flight is the most popular here, with a magnificent view of the Vosges chain and the Munster valley. The landing is carried out upstream of the village of Sondernach in a rather technical place. There is also a possibility to rest on takeoff.

Access to the site is via the Munster valley, by the D27 known as the Route des Crêtes. You have to park at the Platzerwaesel Pass and continue a 15-minute walk.

9. Markstein

Also known as Treh, it is one of the largest paragliding spots in the east of France. The disadvantage is, of course, that it is very frequented. The most experienced pilots can even fly distances throughout the Vosges region, provided they respect the ceiling areas.

The site is mainly south-west oriented at an altitude of 1,206 metres, but take-offs can be made by north-west wind, provided that they are a confirmed pilot. From above, in clear weather, the view can give to the Bernese Alps. You also have a magnificent view of the Thann Valley and the Grand Ballon. The landing is possible on several sites near Orderen or La Carrie. The most experienced can also land at the top of the Treh.

Access to the take-off site is made by the village of Oderen following the lake road and then the Crêtes road. You have to park on the parking lot below the cellars and end up about 10 minutes walk by the marked path.