Cornizzolo

Cornizzolo is one of the icons of Lombardy paragliding — a 1,300-metre grass ramp above Civate that has launched decades of Prealpi Comasche flights. Facing E through S and W, it works almost any day the synoptic wind isn't from the north, catching morning thermals off the Como basin and afternoon convergence along the Grigne–Resegone spine. The classic XC line runs east toward Lecco and the Adda valley, with the biggest days reaching the Bergamo prealps. The takeoff is a wide meadow with plenty of room for two or three wings to prepare in parallel; the landing is a large field at Valmadrera, well-signed and easy from the air. It's a working pilots' site: expect other locals, expect brisk mid-day cycles in summer, and expect the ridge to switch on suddenly when the lake breeze punches in.

Launch & conditions

Wide grass launch at 1,300 m, works E through S and W. Access via road to the summit or 90-min hike from Valmadrera. Multiple lanes for parallel setup.

Getting there & local rules

Landing at Valmadrera in the large field east of the town centre. Retrieve by taxi or shuttle to the road above.

Local rules & hazards

The site sits under the Milan TMA — respect ceiling limits and stay clear of the Lecco corridor when the lake breeze pushes north. Watch for sudden switches when the breeze from Como takes over mid-afternoon.

Check conditions before you fly

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