Santa Maria

Santa Maria in Calanca is a versatile launch at about 1,210 m, flyable from southeast through south, southwest and west, with several different flying options depending on time of day. In late morning, pilots typically thermal right in front of launch or head toward Mesocco; the evening brings a reliable but sometimes tricky sidewind at launch, and the best evening flying is to head south and work the thermals or ridge lift at the entrance to the Calanca valley — strong pilots who climb to 1,600–1,700 m can push on over Roveredo, connect with the thermals at the nearby Torre di Bogiàn site, and fly back to Santa Maria. Getting there is on foot: driving up is discouraged out of respect for the village, so the usual approach is the bus to Santa Maria village followed by about a 20-minute hike to launch, where pilots are asked to stay off the grass beyond the marked limit. Watch the south wind on landing near Grono — it can pick up strongly, especially in summer, and has caught pilots out.

Launch & conditions

Multiple options depending on time of day: late-morning thermals right in front of launch or toward Mesocco, or an evening flight south along the Calanca valley entrance — strong pilots reaching 1,600–1,700 m can continue over Roveredo to the Torre di Bogiàn site and back. Expect a sidewind at launch in the evening.

Getting there & local rules

Reach the site by bus to Santa Maria village, then about a 20-minute hike up — driving up is discouraged, as it draws complaints from the village. Stay within the marked grass limit at launch.

Local rules & hazards

Watch the south wind on the approach to landing near Grono — it can get strong, especially in summer, and has made that landing tricky for pilots who weren't expecting it.

Check conditions before you fly

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