Casoni

Casoni launches at 999 m in the Ligurian hills near Genoa, a site local pilots turn to mainly in summer, when beach landings along the coast below are off-limits and an inland alternative is needed. The take-off is described as wide and comfortable, giving plenty of room to prepare and launch without feeling boxed in, and it works across a broad south-east through south, south-west and west arc, so it stays flyable through a good swing of the compass. Access is by car, about 15 minutes along an unpaved ('white') road off the main route, keeping the approach short even though the site sits well up in the hills. Thermal and soaring conditions both feature here, suiting an easy top-landing back near take-off on a quieter day. That said, of the many open fields around the hill, only one is actually usable as a landing, so pilots should identify it before flying rather than assuming any field below will do. This mix of an easy launch, wide wind window and short drive-up makes Casoni a practical summer stand-in when the coast itself is closed to landings.

Launch & conditions

Wide, comfortable take-off; works from south-east through south, south-west to west.

Getting there & local rules

About 15 minutes by car on an unpaved ('white') road from the main road.

Local rules & hazards

Used mainly in summer, when beach landing along the coast below is forbidden. Easy top landing is possible near take-off, but of the many fields around the hill only one is actually usable as a landing — identify it before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

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