Santa Maria in Valle Vigezzo

Santa Maria in Val Vigezzo is a Piemonte alpine site north of Domodossola, on the border road towards Locarno. The local trademark is a convergence: the west-going valley breeze from Santa Maria Maggiore and the east-going flow meet just east of town, and you can use that line to cross the valley south without losing height — sometimes even gaining. Hang gliders launch at the gondola station; paragliders use Cima 2 (a 15–20 min walk along the ridge west to the high point, windsock visible from the valley with binoculars) or Pizzo Trubbio (1 hr on foot, or by gondola in winter or when arranged).

Launch & conditions

HG: at the gondola station (two windsocks). PG: 1) Cima 2 — 15–20 min walk along the ridge to the west, highest point, windsock visible from the valley with binoculars. 2) Pizzo Trubbio — 1 hr on foot, or by gondola in winter or when arranged.

Getting there & local rules

Italy: from Domodossola, follow signs for Locarno. Switzerland: from Locarno, follow signs for Cento Valli. In Santa Maria, follow signs for 'funivia' — free parking next to the cable car (limited spots). In summer to July, the gondola runs about every 30 min; July to September, continuously. PG ticket around 6 EUR. Landings: HG/PG — huge field with windsocks at the west end of the valley. PG only — near the gondola station, but ONLY October to March. That LZ has a significant slope and about 1 m tall wooden poles stuck vertically in the soil in places — scout it before landing there.

Local rules & hazards

Do NOT fly in northerly winds ('Nordföhn'). Valley thermals can be strong enough to cause landing problems, especially for hang gliders (bring a drag chute). Wind direction at the landing sometimes shifts rapidly by 180° — usually the valley breeze is from the west, but under certain conditions the Locarno-side breeze can push all the way in.

Check conditions before you fly

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