Montoso

Montoso is a historic launch above its namesake village in Piedmont that sat abandoned for years until the local flying club cleaned it up and reopened it in 2024. The take-off is a smooth grass field facing southeast, reached by parking at the first lot in the village and walking three to five minutes toward the 'faro' landmark, climbing about 30 vertical meters; the slope steepens toward the top, which makes the site usable for hang gliders too. It works well as a winter alternative when the nearby Rucas site isn't flying. Both take-off and landing have unrestricted access, and a trail connects the two directly — a proper hike of about 900 vertical meters that typically takes an hour and a half to two hours on foot.

Launch & conditions

Smooth grass field facing southeast, recently reopened after years of neglect; the slope steepens near the top, making it usable for hang gliders as well as paragliders.

Getting there & local rules

Park at the first lot in Montoso village and walk three to five minutes toward the 'faro' landmark, climbing about 30 vertical meters to launch. A trail also connects launch and landing directly — about 900 vertical meters and 1.5–2 hours on foot.

Check conditions before you fly

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