la Guardia (Recoaro – Vicenza)

La Guardia, above Recoaro Terme in the Vicenza pre-Alps of Veneto, is a mountain thermal site at 1,130 m that works with wind from virtually any direction — a rare flexibility that makes it usable far more days than most alpine launches. It's known locally as an uncrowded, pleasant place to fly: thermal conditions here are real but gentler than in the big Dolomite ranges nearby, and cross-country routes open up in almost every direction, with the classic 50 km run to Bassano del Grappa the benchmark flight from here. The main take-off sits in the valley and is reached from Recoaro's town centre along the road toward Campogrosso, stopping at the restaurant that shares the launch's name. Recoaro Terme itself is about 1.5 hours by car from Venice, roughly an hour from Bassano, Verona or Lake Garda, or reachable by train to Vicenza followed by an hour's bus ride. The one real hazard to respect is a north wind, which can turn dangerous and shut down flying when strong, though a light one can still mean good conditions.

Launch & conditions

Take-off is in the valley, reached from Recoaro's town centre along the road toward Campogrosso, stopping at the restaurant sharing the launch's name; the site works with wind from almost any direction, which is unusually flexible for a mountain launch.

Getting there & local rules

Recoaro Terme is about 1.5 hours by car from Venice, roughly an hour from Bassano, Verona or Lake Garda. By public transport: train to Vicenza, then about an hour by bus to Recoaro.

Local rules & hazards

A north wind here can turn dangerous and rule out flying when it's strong; when it's light, conditions can still be good.

Check conditions before you fly

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