MEZZOLDO – Passo S.Marco

Mezzoldo – Passo San Marco launches from the western slope right near the pass, in the Bergamo Alps of Italy, reachable in about two minutes on foot from parking near the pass itself, or via the historic Priula road in roughly 20 minutes starting from the Ca' San Marco refuge. The best flying window runs from spring through late autumn — the pass itself closes to traffic in winter. The main takeoff faces south and is considered easy, but the pass's narrow 'mouth' frequently generates a venturi effect, so in stronger wind pilots switch to one of two alternative launches instead, either 40 meters below the main one or beside the power line near the refuge, at 1,870 m. Never fly with a north wind here. Landing is wide, flat and free of obstacles down in Valmora, reached by a short walk along a dirt road — it's an easy landing for paragliders, though not workable for hang gliders.

Launch & conditions

The main takeoff faces south and is considered easy, but the pass's narrow 'mouth' frequently generates a venturi effect. In stronger wind, switch to one of two alternative launches — either 40 meters below the main one or beside the power line near the Ca' San Marco refuge, at 1,870 m — since tense wind conditions can also make top-landing difficult.

Getting there & local rules

About an hour by car from Bergamo, with just a two-minute walk from the road to launch. On foot, the historic Priula road from the Ca' San Marco refuge takes about 20 minutes.

Local rules & hazards

In the pass's narrow 'mouth,' a venturi effect develops frequently; in strong wind, use one of the two alternative takeoffs instead of the main one. Never fly with wind from the north.

Check conditions before you fly

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