Paragliding Monte Folgorito

Monte Folgorito, named after the lightning strikes it often endures during violent storms, is a stunning launch site for paragliding. Located in front of Monte Altissimo and facing the sea, its advanced position compared to the rest of the Apuan Alps offers magnificent views of the coastline stretching from Liguria to nearly Livorno. On clear days with northern winds, you can even see Corsica. Once airborne and gaining altitude, you can admire the beautiful Apuan region behind the launch, including the imposing Monte Altissimo, the weathered Monte Carchio, and in the distance, La Tambura, Grondilige, Monte Cavallo, Monte Sagro, and Corchia. For experienced pilots and cross-country enthusiasts, the scenery below is guaranteed to be spectacular. However, caution is advised when flying beyond Folgorito and over the mentioned peaks due to the limited and technical landing spots in the Apuan Alps. It is essential to be an experienced pilot and well-acquainted with the conditions and areas you are flying over. Launch altitude: 720 meters above sea level Orientation: West - Southwest The launch site is steep and narrow, cut between thorny bushes about 1.5 meters high, making it unsuitable for beginners. Precision and decisiveness are required when inflating the wing due to the limited space. If anything goes wrong during takeoff, the wing can easily end up in the bushes, requiring significant effort to retrieve it. The launch area can be turbulent if the wind comes from the right due to a ridge that creates a lee side. Typical wind conditions at launch: Weak or often non-existent wind. Takeoff occurs during the thermal cycle, so it's crucial to make the most of the 'gust of wind' that appears with the thermal bubble. Pilots accustomed to mirror takeoffs can manage here, but decisiveness is key; otherwise, the classic takeoff is preferable. Top landing: No one has successfully top-landed at the launch site due to the limited space. Even if you manage to land cleanly, the wing will almost certainly end up in the thorny bushes. Terrain configuration: Earth with protective sheets to lay out the wing and arrange the lines. Official landing site: The official landing site is visible from the launch. Looking towards the sea, locate the railway running parallel to the launch. Adjacent to the railway, slightly to the left of the launch, is a dirt field (Landing 1), which is the primary landing site. To the right of this, separated by a house, is a smaller grassy field (Landing 2), which is also used. The second site is more technical due to a large tree in the middle but has the advantage of being grassy and well-maintained. The landing site appears distant from the launch, and while it is not close, with a class 1/2 wing in a straight glide with a slight headwind, you can reach the landing with 150-200 meters to spare. It is crucial not to lose too much altitude after leaving the launch. If you find yourself 100 meters below the launch without gaining altitude, head to the field. Before the official landing site, there are a few small fields for landing, but they are very small, so caution is advised. It is recommended not to descend more than 100 meters below the launch to avoid ending up in the gorge of the village of Strettoia, which offers no landing space and is downwind of the hill in front. For more information, visit: [Parapendio Versilia - Monte Folgorito](http://www.parapendioversilia.it/Siti_di_volo.asp?id=02) For flight logs and additional details, check: [Paragliding Forum - Flight 273110](http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/273110)