Praglia

Praglia launches from 869 m above Ceranesi, just outside Genoa in Liguria, right off the SP4 road that runs up to Piani di Praglia from the Genova-Bolzaneto exit of the A7 motorway — parking sits directly behind the takeoff, so access couldn't be much simpler. Flyable directions cover north-east, east, south-east and south, giving a decent spread through the morning and midday hours as the local thermal cycle develops, and the site is used for both local thermalling and as a launch point for cross-country flights. One thing worth planning around: a strong south wind is a reason to give the site a miss rather than push it, so check that specific direction before committing to the drive. The landing field is grass, but it isn't visible from takeoff — worth having a plan or a look at the map in advance rather than expecting to be able to eyeball it from the top.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff sits right beside the SP4 road to Piani di Praglia (from the Genova-Bolzaneto A7 exit), with parking directly behind it.

Local rules & hazards

Avoid flying here when the south wind is strong — treat that as a reason to skip the day rather than push it.

Check conditions before you fly

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