Monte Blum – Clusone

Monte Blum above Clusone, in Val Seriana north of Bergamo, is a big south-facing grassy launch inside a regional park. Private vehicles are not allowed up to takeoff due to park regulations and the road quality (off-road only anyway), so access is by the club's shuttle jeep or on foot — walking takes about 1.5 hours and isn't the popular way. Landing is a modest grass strip next to the sports fields; summer afternoons often bring 15–25 km/h of south wind, so lose height above or beside the LZ, not on final. The area gets busy on weekends — plan for road delays.

Launch & conditions

Big south-facing grassy field.

Getting there & local rules

Two options to reach launch: 1) Club shuttle jeep (10 EUR) — appointment at the landing field or the parking 200 m to the east. 2) Walking up (~1.5 hrs), workable but not usually preferred. Private vehicles are not allowed under park regulations, and the road demands off-road anyway. Most pilots come from Bergamo or from Lake Iseo — plan around weekend road traffic (Saturday/Sunday 9-11 or 16-19 can add up to 1.5 hours to the journey). Landing: modest grass strip next to the sports fields, surrounded by cornfields — if you're not sure to make it, land elsewhere.

Local rules & hazards

Use radio frequency 433.675 MHz for safety and to stay in touch with other pilots. Thunderstorms can build very quickly on spring/summer days. In summer afternoons expect 15–25 km/h of south wind at the LZ — shed height above or beside the field, not on final.

Check conditions before you fly

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