Muanda Low

Muanda Low is a lower launch in the Muanda flying area above Sordevolo, in the Biella hills of Piedmont, northern Italy. At 1,182 m, it offers two large, straightforward take-offs — one facing east, one facing south — both marked with windsocks, which makes it a forgiving option compared with sites that only work in a narrow wind window. The area is set up for thermal and cross-country flying as well as shorter local flights, and hikers can reach the launch on foot as an alternative to driving. From Sordevolo, that's roughly a one-hour walk with about 500 m of climbing, starting from a trail near the Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie just east of the town centre; the path is faint in places but runs through open forest, so it's easy to keep heading north and uphill until it meets the next track or road. Landing is at the Muanda field below. The combination of wide, well-marked launches and a hikeable approach makes this a practical site for building airtime in the Biella area.

Launch & conditions

Two large take-offs, east- and south-facing, both windsock-marked — an easy pick depending on wind direction. Good for thermal and cross-country flying as well as shorter local flights.

Getting there & local rules

Reachable by the same road as the main Muanda take-off, or on foot from Sordevolo: about a 1-hour hike with roughly 500 m of climbing, starting near the Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie just east of town. The trail is faint in spots but stays in open forest, so it's easy to keep heading north and uphill to the next track.

Check conditions before you fly

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