Roncola

Roncola launches from San Bernardo in Italy's Bergamo province, in Lombardy, and pilots should know upfront that it has a strong reputation as an excellent hang-gliding site that's considerably more technical for paragliders. It's not a place to underestimate the wind: the wider Palazzago area, where landing happens, should absolutely not be flown in north, northwest or west winds, and even a light west wind calls for real caution rather than a shrug. Landing is down in Palazzago, in the valley below the takeoff. Because of how technical the paragliding conditions can be here and how unforgiving the wrong wind direction is, this is a site better suited to pilots who already have solid experience reading mountain wind than to anyone flying it for the first time.

Launch & conditions

This is considered an excellent hang-gliding site but a notably technical one for paragliders, so it rewards pilots who already have solid experience judging mountain wind.

Local rules & hazards

Do not fly in north, northwest or west winds anywhere in the Palazzago area below — even a light west wind calls for real caution rather than being dismissed.

Check conditions before you fly

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