Fontanile Startplatz 5

Castelluccio is one of the most popular flying areas in Umbria and central Italy, drawn to by both hang glider and paraglider pilots, and this Fontanile launch is one of several scattered across the plateau. It's typically the morning option — the terrain gets intensely thermic and correspondingly demanding by midday, which is why Forca di Presta tends to take over as the afternoon launch instead, and a training slope in the middle of the area serves pilots working on fundamentals. Evenings here are known for excellent soaring. Beyond the flying, Castelluccio's high plateau is genuinely striking scenery, and the village below has restaurants, places to stay, and a local specialty worth trying — its famous lentils. A flying school operates on site through the summer months for anyone wanting instruction or guided flights.

Launch & conditions

One of several launch points at Castelluccio; typically the morning option, since the terrain turns intensely thermic and demanding by midday.

Local rules & hazards

The terrain here is intensely thermic, so midday flying is especially demanding — the Fontanile launch is typically used in the morning instead, with Forca di Presta serving as the afternoon option. Evenings are known for excellent soaring.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Fontanile Startplatz 5, 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 Fontanile Startplatz 5 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.