Tognola

Tognola sits at about 2,162 m above San Martino di Castrozza in the Dolomiti Pale group, reached by the white cabin lift. From the Refuge Tognola, walk to the button lift and follow it to the end; you'll see a large red-and-white antenna, and 50 m past it a pole with an anemometer marks the take-off. It's a wide, flat grass field facing southeast — gentle in the first steps then steepening. The site works on a generous wind window (N through NW clockwise around to SW). Central hours in spring and summer (12:00–16:00) are for experienced pilots only, and rainstorms build fast in those hours — check the forecast before travelling. Morning is the friendlier window: less-experienced pilots can find beautiful soaring flights. Moderate W-, N- or NW-winds turn the area dangerous and turbulent in summer. No powered paragliding permitted.

Launch & conditions

Wide grass field facing southeast. First steps gentle, then steeper. When the wind is light you'll need to run to launch. The landing is a big flat area northwest of San Martino di Castrozza — a helicopter landing area is nearby, so if you hear or see it, divert to the grass alternative southeast of the town. Prevailing valley breeze is SE during the day; evenings can bring a N wind as the sun sets. Top-landing is possible at the take-off site.

Getting there & local rules

Two main road approaches: from Veneto (about an hour from Bassano) or from Trento/Bolzano. From Trento, take the A22, exit at Egna/Ora and follow signs for Valle di Fiemme via Cavalese, Moena, Predazzo, then toward Passo Rolle and Primerio until San Martino di Castrozza. From Bassano, drive toward Trento, exit for Fiera di Primiero and continue to San Martino. Ticket prices for the cable lift are on tognola.it.

Check conditions before you fly

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