Finale Ligure

Finale Ligure is a southeast-to-southwest launch at 276 m on the Ligurian coast, valued for thermal and soaring flying. It's a site where planning matters: the regular landing field isn't visible from take-off, so pilots should know the layout before committing to a flight there, and launching without wind is tight on space, so it's worth extra care on calm days. With an easterly wind, landing on the Finale Ligure beaches becomes an option too — though beach landings are banned outright from 1 May to 1 October every year, which pushes most beach-landing flying into the cooler months. Between the hidden landing field and the seasonal beach restriction, this is a site that rewards a bit of local homework before the first flight.

Launch & conditions

Landing isn't visible from take-off, so know the field before you commit. Space is tight for launching without wind — take care on a no-wind day. With an easterly wind, it's also possible to land on the Finale Ligure beaches instead.

Local rules & hazards

Landing on the beach here is prohibited from 1 May to 1 October each year.

Check conditions before you fly

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