Campogrosso (Recoaro – Padova)

Campogrosso, above Recoaro in the Veneto, is a scenic mountain thermal site that pilots rate highly without the intensity of flying in the nearby Dolomites — a good option when you want strong cross-country potential without the biggest mountain airs. The takeoff faces southeast at just under 1,500 metres and opens onto XC lines in almost every direction, with the classic run to Bassano covering around 50 kilometres. It's a quieter site than many, and the takeoff area itself, while functional, is on the small side, so it flies best without a crowd. Access is straightforward by car from Recoaro, itself within roughly ninety minutes of Venice or a bit over an hour from Bassano, Verona or Lake Garda; it's also reachable by train to Vicenza and a connecting bus. The one condition to watch is a north wind, which stays manageable and can even improve flying when light but becomes genuinely dangerous if it strengthens — the takeoff's position makes it reasonably easy to judge how strong that north wind actually is before committing to launch.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff sits at roughly 1,470 metres facing southeast; the launch area is functional but on the small side, so it's best flown without a crowd.

Getting there & local rules

By car, Recoaro Terme is about 90 minutes from Venice and a little over an hour from Bassano, Verona or Lake Garda; from the town, follow the road up to Campogrosso pass. By train, go to Vicenza and continue by bus to Recoaro (about an hour).

Local rules & hazards

A north wind is the main condition to watch: light, it can actually improve flying, but strong, it becomes genuinely dangerous. The takeoff's position makes it fairly easy to judge how strong the north wind really is before deciding to launch.

Check conditions before you fly

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