Monte Battaglia Est

Monte Battaglia Est launches at 650 m in the Emilia-Romagna hills near Fontanelice and Riolo Terme, a beautiful take-off that comes with a specific handling challenge: the small surrounding hills create turbulent air rather than clean laminar flow. Local technique is to work the ridge lift (using the terrain like a thermodynamic engine) close to the ridge itself, climbing up past the summit monument to find the thermal that tends to form there; a second thermal sometimes appears in front of launch as well, though not reliably. The site's wind rule is strict and simple: fly only with wind from the east, matching the recorded north-east to east direction range — anything else is not what this launch is built for. Access is straightforward, following signs toward Monte Battaglia from either Fontanelice or Riolo Terme. With thermal, soaring and cross-country potential on offer, this is a rewarding launch for pilots comfortable reading turbulent, small-hill air and disciplined about only flying it on a genuine east wind day.

Launch & conditions

Small surrounding hills create turbulent air; work the ridge lift close to the terrain and climb past the summit monument to find the thermal that tends to form there.

Getting there & local rules

Follow signs toward Monte Battaglia from Fontanelice or from Riolo Terme.

Local rules & hazards

Fly only with wind from the east — this is a strict rule for the site, not a general preference.

Check conditions before you fly

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