Colonei

Colonei, above Caprino Veronese near Lake Garda in Italy, offers two takeoff points about 200 metres apart right alongside the access road, both facing the northeast-to-southeast arc. The usual pattern is to launch in the morning, ahead of the Ora — the well-known local south wind that typically builds through early afternoon — since the site depends on that timing to stay comfortable. A strong west wind is the main hazard here and can shut down flying entirely if it picks up, though a light westerly can actually produce good conditions. The drive up from Caprino Veronese takes about twenty minutes, following signs to Malga Ime on a narrow but paved mountain road, then continuing past a hairpin turn at Malga Valfredda for another kilometre to reach the takeoff, marked by a windsock on the left. The area sits conveniently close to other attractions: Caprino Veronese itself is about 30 minutes from Verona, 10 minutes from Lake Garda, and 10 minutes from the A22 Brennero motorway at the Affi exit.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoff points about 200 metres apart along the access road, facing northeast to southeast; best flown in the morning, before the local south wind known as the Ora typically builds in early afternoon.

Getting there & local rules

From Caprino Veronese (about 30 minutes from Verona, 10 minutes from Lake Garda and the A22 motorway at Affi), follow the road toward Spiazzi di Caprino, then signs to Malga Ime on a narrow paved mountain road; continue past the hairpin at Malga Valfredda for another kilometre to reach takeoff and its windsock.

Local rules & hazards

A strong west wind is the main hazard and can make flying dangerous or impossible; light westerlies, by contrast, can produce good conditions. Check current local weather conditions before heading up.

Check conditions before you fly

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