Valcava

Valcava is one of the better sites in the area for pilots building cross-country skills, with enough terrain to fly 10km along the ridge before the first real transition — a manageable way to start learning XC lines. The first thermal usually fires right in front of takeoff, over a small dip locals call 'la cavetta', which makes getting established easy before heading out. From the air the terrain opens up beautifully: peaks up to 2,400m around the Grigna group, lakes, hills and flatland beyond, and pilots have flown hundreds of kilometers starting from here on good days. There are two launches, one facing southwest and one southeast, both a short walk from the village near the old cable-car station — a local shuttle runs from the landing zone a few times a day in season. The landing itself isn't visible from takeoff; you fly around Pizzo Pec to reach it, and while it's a fair size for a paraglider, it's tight for a hang glider, though bigger fields sit nearby if needed.

Launch & conditions

There are two launches — one facing southwest, the other southeast — both a short walk from the village near the old cable-car station. The first thermal typically fires right in front of takeoff, over a small dip known locally as 'la cavetta'.

Getting there & local rules

Takeoff is a five-minute walk from Valcava village, close to the old cable-car station; the village itself is reachable by car, and a local shuttle runs from the landing zone a few times a day in season (afternoon run only in summer). Landing is at Perlupario, near Caprino Bergamasco — it isn't visible from takeoff, so you fly around Pizzo Pec to reach it. The official field is fine for a paraglider but tight for a hang glider; larger fields sit nearby if you need more room.

Local rules & hazards

West or east wind doesn't suit this site well, and it turns genuinely dangerous if either strengthens — check the forecast for those directions before committing.

Check conditions before you fly

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