Givoletto

Givoletto sits in Piedmont's Val della Torre area and works well as a backup when nearby launches are shaded or their cloudbase runs low. It isn't an official flying site and doesn't see heavy traffic, so pilots who fly it tend to already know the area. The take-off is a generously sized field reached by a short drive followed by roughly a 25-minute walk, and it opens to a spread of wind directions from northeast through south, giving options as the day's breeze shifts. Thermals build reliably enough here to support cross-country flying, and hike-and-fly pilots use it too. Landing is in an equally roomy field with no major obstacles, though it isn't an official landing zone either — it's occasionally used for local events, in which case pilots need a backup field nearby. There's no water source at launch, so carry what you need for the walk up.

Launch & conditions

A large take-off field open to northeast through south winds; watch for stones and low bushes underfoot, and for the dry tree trunks that remain in the newer northeast launch direction.

Getting there & local rules

Park about 5 minutes from Givoletto by car, then walk roughly 25 minutes to launch; the approach roads and trails show up on most navigation apps, and there's no water available at the top.

Local rules & hazards

Maximum altitude is 1,700 m AMSL, and flying east past the main road below is off-limits — controlled airspace starts there. The landing field is unofficial but generally usable; it's sometimes taken over by local events, so have a backup field in mind.

Check conditions before you fly

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