Chiamberlando

Chiamberlando sits below the Rocciamelone peak in the Susa Valley near Turin, a soaring site reached by a short hike rather than a lift or drive to launch. From the parking area at a left bend marked by an old wagon wheel, a path climbs about 20 minutes to a takeoff set on a nearly flat shelf; a second option near the La Riposa refuge involves a further five-minute walk over a country road to a grassy launch area. The site faces south, and flying here is typically a fall-to-winter pursuit rather than a summer one. The landing field, at Le Braide near San Giacomo, needs real care on approach: power lines run along its south and west edges, with barbed wire also lining the west side. Valley winds can build to genuinely strong levels, and wind from the northwest through northeast should be avoided altogether.

Launch & conditions

Reached on foot rather than by lift: about a 20-minute hike from the parking area near an old wagon wheel to a flat takeoff shelf, or a five-minute walk from near the La Riposa refuge to a second, grassy launch.

Getting there & local rules

From Torino, head via Susa on the road toward Rocciamelone; park at the left bend marked by an old wagon wheel and hike up, or continue to the end of the road near La Riposa for the second access point.

Local rules & hazards

The landing field at Le Braide has power lines along its south and west edges, with barbed wire also running along the west side, so give both real margin. Avoid flying in wind from the northwest through northeast, and expect valley winds that can build genuinely strong; this is typically a fall-to-winter site.

Check conditions before you fly

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