Paragliding is the closest you’ll ever get to flying by yourselves. You can soar over the most beautiful sceneries, whether it’s tropical beaches or wintery landscapes.
Interlaken, Switzerland is one of the best places for this magical experience! This resort town is known to be the country’s gateway to the Jungfrau region, blessed with breathtaking mountain ranges and quaint Swiss villages.
You don’t need any paragliding experience to enjoy flying over the Swiss alps, and you can expect full instructions and safety gear to be provided before lift-off.
Here’s everything you need to know about paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland, and why you should definitely try it at least once in your life:
What to expect
Interlaken, Switzerland offers tranquility and scenic views at every turn, thanks to its picturesque valleys and mountain peaks that are the epitome of Swiss landscapes. Sights to watch out for include the Lake of Thun, which is framed by towns, Romanesque churches, and even castles! You’ll also spot Mt. Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau or the peaks of the Bernese Alps.
The views, coupled with the weightless feeling of flight and the alpine breeze surrounding you, will definitely make for an unforgettable memory!
Paragliding in Interlaken is beginner-friendly, so you won’t be launching into the air without a proper safety briefing, instructions, and safety gear! Expect to be in the air for around 10 to 20 minutes (definitely enough to take in the views), depending on the weather conditions.
While the overall experience is pretty relaxing, you can also expect some adrenaline rush! Just try not to scream as sound travels fast in the air, and you might be heard in the town below. As a courtesy to the residents, it’s best to relax and enjoy the ride without screaming.
What is the best season to go paragliding in Interlaken?
The great thing about Interlaken, Switzerland being amidst the alpine range is that paragliding is possible 365 days a year—may it be spring, summer, autumn, or winter—as long as the weather is in good condition. Paragliding will most likely only be canceled during storms, heavy rain, low visibility, and other dangerous weather conditions.
No matter which season you go, each one has guaranteed charms! Here’s what to expect when paragliding each season:
Spring
Aside from lush greenery still framed by a backdrop of snowy mountains, expect strong thermals that cause longer flights. Because of this, you can enjoy your paragliding experience even longer! Plus, Spring isn’t a peak season for tourists in Interlaken, so expect fewer people in town.
Summer
During the warmer summer days, you can keep it casual and fly wearing just shorts and a t-shirt! Paragliding is a fantastic way to cool off this season, as the breeze is still impressive during the ride. You can even enjoy morning and evening flights during summer!
Autumn
If you’re up for a more chill flight, then autumn is the best time to go because of the gentle thermals that ensure an equally gentle flight. You’ll also have great visibility of the alpine landscapes thanks to the autumn climate. If spring has greenery, then autumn in Interlaken, Switzerland has colorful leaves that transform the usual scenery!
Winter
During winter, Interlaken, Switzerland and the surrounding alpine mountains transform into an ethereal snowy panorama. You can bunch yourselves in warm winter clothes as you take flight over a winter wonderland. After your flight, you can warm up with hot Swiss chocolate in the Restaurant Café Schuh (just next to the landing field)!
Travel essentials when paragliding in Interlaken
Regardless of the season, sturdy shoes and sunglasses are an absolute must! Other than that, you need clothing appropriate for the season (winter coats/padded jackets during winter, and thinner shirts and shorts during summer).
You can bring your handbags and daypacks carrying your essentials, but you’ll have to leave them during the flight and pick them up again right after.
During the flight, take note that you can only use compact cameras that can be attached to your harness. For safety reasons, cameras and mobile phones can only be used at take-off.
Transportation
🔑 Unlock free travel days on your Swiss Travel Pass 🔑
Get even more unlimited travel on Swiss trains, boats, and buses when you book via Klook from 15 April to 14 May 2023!
- Book a consecutive 4-day pass and travel for 5 days (additional 1 day)
- Book a consecutive 8-day pass and travel for 10 days (additional 2 days)
Note that the travel period is from 15 April to 13 November 2023! Make sure the first day of using your Swiss Travel Pass is within 6 months of the issue date.
To save you the hassle of having to figure out how to get to the paragliding spot, you can avail of the transfers from the pick-up point to Beatenberg with your Klook booking. This will take around 20 minutes. Just make sure to be at the meet-up locations 5 minutes before pick-up.
Now that you know that one of the best things to do in Interlaken is paragliding, what are you waiting for? It’s exhilarating to soar over the picturesque town, and it’s safe, fun, memorable, and easy to avail of!