Grascoueous

Les Granges de Grascoueous is a Pyrenean thermal launch in the Vallée d'Aure at 1,550 m, facing south-east — a classic mid-morning site above the shepherd huts, best on rising thermals as the day builds. Access to the launch requires prior agreement with the shepherds and hunters using the ground, and the federal landing is in Vieille Aure — coordinate with the local school before flying so nothing (and no one) is surprised. This is not a site to fly on southerlies: a south wind here is described as very dangerous.

Launch & conditions

Grassy south-east launch at 1,550 m above the shepherd huts of Grascoueous. Favourable in thermals at the end of the morning.

Getting there & local rules

Take the Soulan road, then a track on the right up to the huts — takeoff is another 100 m above. Federal landing is at Vignec: take the Thermes road and turn right after the bridge; land only on the marked FFVL ground — the neighbours do not accept landings anywhere else. Check with the local school before landing in Vieille Aure.

Local rules & hazards

South wind is very dangerous here — do not fly it. Expect strong afternoon breeze in summer at landing. Watch out for the phone line along the edge of the landing road at Vignec.

Check conditions before you fly

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