Castelmauro – South

Castelmauro South is a modest launch just 200 m above the valley floor, but it opens onto a stretch of Molise with genuinely strong thermal potential — local records run as high as 3,500 m, with one flight ever reaching 4,100 m. From here pilots can range across most of the surrounding region. It's rated the easiest of the Castelmauro launches: a grassy slope with a few rocks, built for beginners and school groups, with parking right beside the takeoff. The wind pattern here needs respect, though — this part of Italy usually sees northeasterly wind, so on the days it blows from the south instead, conditions tend to run strong to very strong rather than gentle, driven by unstable air rather than a simple lee effect. It's not unusual to find +3 m/s thermals in the early morning and a 50 km/h south breeze by afternoon on the same day. There's no official landing field: pilots typically land near the road for an easy recovery, and usable ground is available in several spots around the area.

Launch & conditions

A grassy slope with some rocks, built for beginners and school groups — parking is right next to the takeoff.

Getting there & local rules

Drive the road from Castelmauro up to the top of the mountain and park right beside launch.

Local rules & hazards

The dominant wind here is normally northeasterly, so on days it blows from the south instead, expect strong to very strong conditions rather than gentle ones — early-morning thermals can be followed by a 50 km/h south breeze by afternoon.

Check conditions before you fly

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