Thorenc – Col de Bleyne

Col de Bleyne (Montagne de Thorenc) is a south-facing thermal site in the pre-Alps behind Nice, with a 400 m top-to-bottom and excellent cross-country potential — the local record is 257 km to Megève (David Dagault, 8 May 1998). It's best in a light southerly meteo wind, though on good light-wind days thermals draw up the front regardless. There are two takeoffs (CDB1 and CDB2), with plenty of big fields to land in both in the valley itself and along the classic XC line to Saint-André — respect crops in spring and early summer.

Launch & conditions

Launch at 1,525 m, approximately 400 m top-to-bottom. Beware of snagging lines on stones or shrubs at takeoff. Wind can switch direction slightly — launching at the wrong moment gets tricky. Two takeoffs: CDB1 (the visible one at the top of the track) and CDB2 (short walk east through the trees).

Getting there & local rules

From Nice, east on the A8 to the Cagnes-sur-Mer exit. Then either the D6 from La Colle-sur-Loup to Gréolières through the Gorges du Loup, or via Vence and Coursegoules on the D236 then D2. From Gréolières, take the road to Thorenc and climb to the Col de Bleyne. At the col, a track breaks off to the right and runs all the way to takeoff.

Local rules & hazards

Takeoff is very close to the Nice TMA — respect the ceiling. Turbulent in a westerly — better to decamp to Lachens on those days. Avoid landing in crop fields in spring and early summer (fields growing hay).

Check conditions before you fly

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