Vene Rosse di San Giacomo

Vene Rosse di San Giacomo launches at 958 m in the Marche hills near Ascoli Piceno, a thermal, soaring and hike-friendly site with one notable constraint: the launch area is small enough that only one pilot can take off at a time. A reverse launch is the recommended technique here, which suits the tight space better than a forward run. Wind from the east or south-east is what the site needs to work. Access involves a short but rough final stretch — the last 100–150 m of the approach road require an off-road-capable vehicle, though pilots without one can simply park on a flat area just before that rough section begins and cover the remaining distance on a short walk instead. That combination of a compact launch and a walkable fallback for the final approach makes Vene Rosse a manageable site as long as pilots respect the one-at-a-time launch pace rather than rushing to get airborne. It rewards patience at take-off more than any technical difficulty in the air itself.

Launch & conditions

Only one pilot can launch at a time due to the site's small size; a reverse launch is recommended.

Getting there & local rules

The last 100–150 m of the approach road require an off-road vehicle; alternatively, park on the flat area just before that rough stretch and walk the rest.

Check conditions before you fly

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