Alpe Giumello

Alpe Giumello sits above Lake Como, about an hour's drive from Milan, and offers permanent flying with a straightforward top landing at Capanna Vittoria, where pilots can also get a meal after flying. The main take-off faces southwest at roughly 1,500 m, and its easy top landing makes the site workable across skill levels depending on the day's conditions. From here pilots can ridge-soar down the main spur or push out to explore smaller valleys and neighboring sites nearby. On a strong day the site supports serious cross-country flying, with pilots covering 50 km or more over forest, pasture and small villages, and altitude gains well past 3,000 m. The main landing field lies about 1,100 m below at Taceno, roughly 30 minutes from launch — a wide, obstacle-free field shared with hang gliders. Transfers from Milan Malpensa or Orio al Serio airports can be arranged for visiting pilots.

Launch & conditions

Main take-off faces southwest at about 1,500 m; the top landing right at launch is easy, which is what makes the site workable for a range of skill levels depending on the day.

Getting there & local rules

About an hour's drive from Milan; transfers from Milan Malpensa or Orio al Serio airports can be arranged for visiting pilots.

Local rules & hazards

North wind makes conditions here unfavorable, so plan flights around it.

Check conditions before you fly

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