punta dell'aquila

Punta dell'Aquila is a high, wide-open launch above Giaveno in the Val Sangone, Piedmont, topping out at 2,069 m with usable take-offs in almost every direction — north, northeast, east, southeast, south, west and northwest — which makes it an unusually flexible site for catching whichever wind the day brings. Near the summit, past two huts left over from abandoned ski or lift facilities, any open meadow with the right wind will work as a launch rather than there being one fixed spot. It suits thermal flying, cross-country routes and hiking pilots who don't mind the walk up. As with other sites in this part of the Alps, foehn conditions are worth watching for and treating with caution; a wind out of the east or northeast is generally read as the safe, reliable direction here. Reaching the area means parking one car on the state road past Giaveno and a second in the lot in front of the restaurant partway up, then walking the rest of the way to the top.

Launch & conditions

Above two abandoned facility huts near the summit, several open meadows work as take-off — pick whichever one suits the day's wind rather than a single fixed launch.

Getting there & local rules

Park two cars: the first on the state road past Giaveno, the second in the lot in front of the restaurant partway up. From there it's a walk to the top of Punta dell'Aquila.

Local rules & hazards

As with other sites in this range, watch for foehn conditions and treat them with caution. A wind from the east or northeast is generally the reliable, safe direction here.

Check conditions before you fly

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