Paragliding in Interlaken

Interlaken is the unofficial European capital of tandem paragliding, and the reason is the setting: launch sites on the slopes above town drop you into a flight with two turquoise lakes below, the valley floor spread beneath your feet, and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau filling the horizon. It is postcard Switzerland seen from the best possible seat.

No experience is required — you're clipped to a qualified pilot who does all the work, so all you do is run a few steps off the mountain and then sit back. The flight lasts around twenty minutes, launching from Beatenberg and landing on the Höhematte green in the middle of town, which adds a small thrill of its own at the end.

It's weather-dependent, so a little flexibility helps if the wind isn't cooperating on your chosen day, and morning or evening air is usually the smoothest. For a first taste of free flight in genuinely spectacular surroundings, very few places on earth compete.

A tandem flight over postcard Switzerland from the best possible seat.

Clipped to a qualified pilot who does all the work, you run a few steps off the slope above town and then sit back, with two turquoise lakes below, the valley floor beneath your feet, and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau filling the horizon.

The flight lasts around twenty minutes, launching from Beatenberg and landing on the Höhematte green in the middle of town, which adds a small thrill of its own at the end.

No experience or fitness is required beyond being able to jog a few steps — it is about the gentlest way into free flight there is.

Book a tandem flight with a commercial operator launching from Beatenberg and landing at Interlaken's Höhematte — no training or gear needed, you just jog a few steps off the slope.

The season runs roughly April to October, and flights are weather-dependent, so keep a little flexibility if the wind is not cooperating on your chosen day; morning or evening air is usually smoothest. Operators apply weight and age limits, generally from around twelve, so check before booking for children.

Turn up in warm layers and closed shoes. It is an off-the-shelf experience, so reserving a day or two ahead is plenty.