Bonassola

Bonassola launches at 522 m above the Ligurian coastal town of the same name, a relatively new addition to the local site list — this take-off only opened in the early 2020s. Access is easy by local standards: park by car and walk about 10 minutes to reach launch. The site is notably tolerant of wind direction, flying well with south-east, south or south-west, and even working with east or west as long as it isn't blowing strongly. Thermal, soaring and hike-and-fly conditions are all on offer here. Before heading up, local advice is to check the beach itself, since the landing situation there is worth confirming on the day rather than assuming. A firm seasonal rule governs flying here: it's off-limits from 1 May to 30 September, described locally as standard practice along this stretch of coast, and also during the first weekend of October for a local holiday. With its wide wind tolerance and easy access, Bonassola is a convenient option outside those closed dates, as long as the seasonal calendar is checked before planning a trip.

Launch & conditions

This take-off only opened in the early 2020s, so it is one of the newer launches on this stretch of coast.

Getting there & local rules

Park by car and walk about 10 minutes to reach launch. Check the beach itself before flying.

Local rules & hazards

Flying here is off-limits from 1 May to 30 September — described locally as standard along this stretch of coast — and also during the first weekend of October for a local holiday.

Check conditions before you fly

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