Castelluccio – Fontanile

Castelluccio–Fontanile is a strikingly beautiful flying site above the Piano Grande in Umbria, launching from 1,630 m with wide-open space all around the gravel access road for setup. Soaring and cross-country conditions here are excellent, and the takeoff area can be reached from the village of Castelluccio either by a 40-minute walk or, in season, a shuttle that the local flying club runs daily when conditions are good. The plains below are prone to dust devils, so extra care is needed at low altitude near the landing zone, and in May and June thunderstorms can build quickly — if lift turns strong everywhere across the plains at once, that's the cue it's time to come down. Wind at altitude can run noticeably stronger than what's felt at takeoff, which matters most when soaring near Monte Vettore. Near the landing area, low passes or figure-eights over the horses grazing west of the road junction should be avoided. The landing itself is down at the road intersection, on the eastern side toward Monte Vettore.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff has plenty of open space all around the gravel access road; reach it from Castelluccio village by a 40-minute walk, or by the local flying club's seasonal daily shuttle.

Getting there & local rules

The access road to takeoff starts from Castelluccio village; walk about 40 minutes or catch the local club's shuttle, which runs daily in season when conditions are good.

Local rules & hazards

Watch for dust devils, especially at low altitude over the landing area, and for thunderstorms that can build quickly in May and June — if lift turns strong everywhere across the plains, that's the signal it's time to get down. Wind at altitude can run stronger than what's felt at takeoff, worth remembering when soaring near Monte Vettore, and near the landing zone, avoid low passes or figure-eights over the horses grazing west of the road junction.

Check conditions before you fly

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