Monte Carza

Monte Carza launches from the western shore of Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, northern Italy, close to the Swiss border, at 1,080 m facing southeast to south. The regular landing zone is at Cannobio, about 4 km away as the crow flies — reachable in good lift, though without thermals pilots need to work east around the mountain first before turning north. Launching in a south wind, that northward leg usually goes quickly with a tailwind behind. One thing to plan for: there's nowhere to put down along the route to the landing zone, so the flight to Cannobio needs enough height in hand from the start rather than a plan to land partway if things don't work out. The take-off meadow itself is mowed regularly and has a windsock in place. The approach road is paved to within about 40 vertical metres of launch, with the rest covered on foot or by car along a gravel track.

Launch & conditions

The route to the Cannobio landing zone has nowhere safe to put down along the way, so don't commit to the crossing without height in hand. Without thermals, work east around the mountain first, then north — launching in a south wind, that leg usually goes quickly with a tailwind. The take-off meadow is mowed regularly with a windsock in place.

Getting there & local rules

Paved road up to about 40 vertical metres below launch; the rest is on foot or by car along a gravel track.

Check conditions before you fly

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