FLYING IN FREEDOM

The environment around Monte Grappa, for it's location close to the plains and it's particular weather conditions presents ideal conditions for flying without motorised assistance - paragliding and hang-gliding.

The flying zone most frequently used is the area to the south, south-west towards the Padana plain in the area of Romano D'Ezzelino, Borso Del Grappa, Crespano del Grappa, Paderno, Possagno and Cavaso del Tomba.

The free flying sports of paragliding and hang-gliding have found, in the area around Monte Grappa, a perfect location to be practised.

From initial, timid attempts, dating back over 20 years ago by exciting sport pioneers, we have passed to a fenonomen that is practised by a mass of people, especially over the weekend, when you can find a 'cloud' of paragliders and hang-gliders soaring over the mountain.

The reasons for the success of this sport in the area around Monte Grappa are three:

the perculiar weather conditions that allow the formation of thermaling conditions during the entire year, permitting flights lasting even long hours.

the ease of access to takeoff locations by car.

the presence of takeoff and landing areas considered very safe.

In 1979, a group of passionate free flying pilots founded the club "VOLO LIBERO MONTE GRAPPA", affiliated with the Federazione Italiana Volo Libero, which represents today about 300 pilot members, male and female from all over the Veneto region.

The Club's functions, other than administrative for it's many members, is as an information source and assistance to all the pilots that visit us from outside the local area, and also to work in liason as promoter and collaborator with the other Italian clubs and International flying federations.

Organised every year is one of the most important flying festivals and competitions on a world-wide level called "MEETING DEL MONTE GRAPPA", which due to the presence of a large number of international flying champions, has promoted our location and ideal flying conditions to pilots all over the world.

In the area there are two federation certified flying schools for both paragliding and hang-gliding, attended by all 'would-be' pilots from all over the near-by provinces, in preparation for their federation flying exams.

In this period, the town administration of Borso Del Grappa, realising the importance of this ever growing sport in the area, is studying numerous important projects to develop together with the Club and Association Vivere il Grappa.


Take-off's

Take-off Col Serai (CLOSED)

Altitude 895m asl, excellent take-off for paragliders, facing south south-east, best with wind direction from the south, south-east, south-west and possibility for take-off with a light breeze from east or west. No take-off possible with wind direction from the north, north-east or north-west.

Open all year, access is from Semonzo di Borso del Grappa via the road, strada Generale Giardino, which takes you to the top of Monte Grappa. After having driven around 14 hair-pin turns (about 10km), you'll notice the wind-sock on your left and the take-off field.

This take-off is the principal take-off used for paragliding in the area.

Take-off Col Del Pupolo

Altitude 866m asl., principal take-off for hang-gliders, a ramp constructed of a wood facing east, ideal with the wind from the east or south-east, not possibile with the wind from the north or the west.

Open all year, access is from Semonzo di Borso del Grappa via the road, strada Generale Giardino, which takes you to the top of Monte Grappa. After having driven around 12 hair-pin turns (about 8km) you'll see the bar/restaurant, with parking area and take-off ramp.

This take-off is hang-glider use only.

Take-off Antenne

Altitude 770m asl., reserve take-off for paragliders, situated west of the valley Santa Felicita, facing east, this take-off is ideal with strong winds from the east, but is not usable with winds from the north or west.

Open all year, access is from Romano D'Ezzelino using the main road of Monte Grappa, strada Generale Cadorna, after about 8 Km, on your left you'll notice a wind-sock and a flying Club notice board.

This take-off is for paraglider use only.

Take-off Monte Meda (Panettone)

Altitude 1578m asl., secondary take-off for both paragliders and hang-gliders, this take-off is the largest in the area located just under the top of Monte Grappa, facing east, it is an ideal take-off with winds from the east and south-east. It is not possibile to take-off with winds from the north, north-east, west or north-west.

It is open only during the summer months once the snow has melted after the winter. Access is via Semonzo using the road Strada Generale Giardino after about 20 Km, or from the top of Monte Grappa, about 3 Km.

Take-off for paragliders and hang-gliders, often used for competition take-off.

Take-off Campo Croce (CLOSED)

Altitude 1050m asl., new take-off for paragliders and hang-gliders build with funds from the European Community and the town of Borso del Grappa, constructed of wood and facing south, best used with winds from the south, south-east and south-west, but not possibile with the wind direction from the north.

Open all year, access is from Semonzo using the road Generale Giardino after about 15 km.

Take-off for both paragliders and hang-gliders.

Take-off Monte Legnarola

Altitude 1327m asl., take-off for paragliders, due to the location of this take-off it is reccommended for use by only expert pilots. Facing east, best used with wind direction from the east or south-east, not possibile with the wind from the north or west.

Open only during the warmer months, once the snow has melted after the winter, access is from Semonzo using the road Strada Generale Giardino after 16 Km.

Take-off for paragliders, reccommended for expert pilots only.

Training ground Camol

Altitude 1260m asl., training ground for paragliders and hang-gliders, used exclusively by the flying schools for training new pilots in the fundamentals of flying.

Open nearly all year (during the winter after snow falls, reachable in 10 minutes from the Baita Camol).

Landing fields

Landing ground Via Caose for paragliders and hang-gliders

The landing field is situated at Semonzo di Borso del Grappa. To find it travel the main road from Romano d'Ezzelino towards Borso del Grappa, once arrived at Semonzo, turn right in via Pere (sign-posted for the landing field), after 200m, at the first intersection, turn left along via Caose, after about 200m on the right you will see the landing field.

The landing field is rather large in size, and as such, is used almost exclusively for hang-glider pilots, occasionally for paraglider pilots that have moved away from the base of Monte Grappa.

When landing with the wind from the south, please take note of the power-lines at the head of the field on the west side, other than these, it is relatively safe and offers numerous 'escape routes' in case of erroneous landing approches.

Landing field Piazza Paradiso

This landing field is located at Semonzo di Borso del Grappa, behind the office of the Club Volo Libero Montegrappa, west of the residential area of piazza Paradiso di Semonzo. This landing field is used exclusively for paragliding pilots, due to it's location close to the base of the mountain, offering a very valid landing point. To find it, along the main road from Romando d'Ezzelino to Borso del Grappa, turn left in via Chiesa (road used to access the top of Monte Grappa on the road Strada Generale Giardino), after about 300m on your left you'll see a piazza and the residential complex, turn left and drive around the back of the complex.

Pay attention to the turbulence caused by the east wind during landing, and to the houses on the east side of the field. Other than these points, it offers a relatively safe landing area with a good car park and possibility of returning swiftly to the take-off areas.