Paragliding at Teufelsberg

Paragliding at Teufelsberg takes place from Berlin's highest point, an 80-metre artificial hill built from wartime rubble and covered by the Grunewald forest in the city's west. The hill's height and open slopes make it the classic local training and launch site for both tandem flights and independent paragliding practice in an otherwise flat city. Tandem flights require no experience at all, since a certified pilot controls the glider and the passenger simply runs off the slope in harness alongside them; solo paragliding training is offered in structured courses that typically begin with ground handling before progressing to short hop flights and eventually full descents, with courses usually open to participants aged 14 and up in reasonable physical condition. Equipment for tandem flights, including the glider, harness, and helmet, is provided by the operating pilot or school; those taking training courses generally rent equipment from the school for the duration of the course before deciding whether to invest in personal gear. Safety briefings cover pre-flight checks, launch and landing technique, and what to do in the event of a sudden loss of lift, with instructors monitoring wind conditions closely since Teufelsberg's exposed position makes it sensitive to gusty or cross winds. Flying here is dependent on suitable wind direction and strength, and sessions are frequently cancelled or rescheduled at short notice for safety. The best season runs from March through October, when thermals and steady winds are more reliable; conditions in winter are colder and less predictable, and the surrounding forest can be muddy underfoot at the launch and landing zones.