Rocca Canavese

Rocca Canavese sits in the Piedmont pre-Alps north-west of Turin — a friendly launch on a hill near the small church of Madonna della Neve. It's not a huge site altitude-wise, so working even the weakest thermals matters low down; once you get above launch it becomes much easier. Takeoff is smooth and roomy enough for 3–4 pilots to launch at once, and it's suitable for beginners. There's a shuttle bus on most flyable days from the bar in the village below, or you can hike up in about an hour from the landing.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff near the church of Madonna della Neve on top of the nearby hill. Room for 3–4 simultaneous launches, smooth and suitable for beginners.

Getting there & local rules

Reach launch by 4x4 on the gravel road (a normal car may make it, though the road is rough and steep in places). Or take the shuttle bus on most flyable days from the bar at Via Levone 31 (coordinates 45.309925, 7.583138). Or hike from landing in about 1 hour (530 m gain) — the gravel road starts about 500 m east of the landing field, following the ridge crest to the top. Landing: large field next to Via Montiglio, wind almost always from the east. Do not park at the landing — use the parking beside the bar (400 m away).

Local rules & hazards

The Turin airport is very close — do NOT fly towards the plains to the east; staying over the mountains is fine. Do not fly in föhn wind — strong turbulence and gusts; even avoid flying if föhn is forecast for later the same day (it can turn dangerous within minutes). In summer, thunderstorms can build very quickly, especially over Lanzo about 10–15 km away — watch the cumulus development.

Check conditions before you fly

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