Gsiesertal – Uwaldalm – Spielalm

The Gsiesertal – Uwaldalm – Spielalm site sits in the Gsies valley of South Tyrol, in the Dolomites of northern Italy, with launches up to 2,068 m facing southeast, south and southwest. There are two take-off options: Uwaldalm, roughly 100 m above the mountain hut (the exact height depends on thermal conditions that day), and Spielalm, a further 45-minute walk beyond it onto a large open plateau that also allows top-landings. A windsock is normally in place at both. The area suits thermal flying, soaring and cross-country routes, and the approach itself is part of the appeal for hiking pilots — reaching Uwaldalm from the valley floor takes about 1.5 to 2 hours on foot. Getting to the valley means following the Pustertal road to Welsberg/Monguelfo before turning north into the Gsies valley toward San Martino di Casies; there's no fuel station in the valley itself, so it's worth filling up beforehand. Landing is at Bruggen — pilots should check the actual field conditions on the day and only land where the grass is short or recently cut.

Launch & conditions

Two launches: Uwaldalm, about 100 m above the hut (varies with thermal conditions), and Spielalm, a 45-minute walk further on, a large plateau that also allows top-landings; a windsock is usually up at both. At the Bruggen landing field, check conditions on the day and land only where the grass is short or recently cut.

Getting there & local rules

Reached via the Pustertal road to Welsberg/Monguelfo, then north into the Gsies valley toward San Martino di Casies; park at the Talschlusshütte and follow the track up to Uwaldalm, about 1.5–2 hours on foot. There's no petrol station in the valley — fill up before turning in.

Check conditions before you fly

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