The best places to go paragliding in Switzerland

From childhood to retirement, many people dream of being able to leave terra firma behind and soar into the bright blue sky. With paragliding, that dream can be just a little bit closer. Thanks to its stunning mountains, lakes and landscape, Switzerland is a fantastic destination for paragliding. Here are some of the best places to fly across the picture postcard.

Expat guide to paragliding in Switzerland 

Alongside other adrenaline-fuelled activities, Switzerland is one of the best destinations in Europe for paragliding. The practice is freely permitted in many of the country’s most beautiful places - provided you are (or are flying in tandem with) a trained, certified and insured pilot - making it a great way to sample the countryside.

While most flights take place in the summer, paragliding during the winter is an ideal way to get a bird’s eye view of the Alps at their snowy best. Depending on the package you choose, flights can last anywhere from 20-minute taster runs to two-hour guided adventures - the parachutes are able to use natural funnels of hot air to gain altitude and prolong the flight.

How much is paragliding in Switzerland?

The cost of paragliding in Switzerland typically depends on the duration of the flight, how many extras (transport, instruction, etc) are included in your package, and the season you choose to fly in. Generally, prices start from around 140 francs per flight.

Where to find the best paragliding in Switzerland

Thanks to paragliding, thrill-seekers are able to see the rolling hills, azure lakes and snow-tipped mountains of Switzerland from the best seat in the house. Here are some of our favourite places to take to the skies:

Interlaken paragliding: Discover the adrenaline city at altitude!

As the thrill-seekers' capital of Switzerland, it’s no surprise that Interlaken is one of the best places to go paragliding. Situated in the heart of the mountains of Canton Bern, the city serves as the ideal base from which to take off into the blue yonder!

From starting points dotted across the hills around Interlaken, you can get stunning views of the Jungfrau, Eiger, Mönch and surrounding mountains, and the Lakes of Brienz and Thun. With Interlaken only two hours away from Zurich and three hours from Geneva by train, paragliding around the area makes for a day out to remember.

Video: Paragliding Interlaken / YouTube

Discover the heart of central Switzerland by paragliding in Lucerne and Rigi

From Canton Bern to the heart of central Switzerland, paragliding in and around Lucerne pairs stunning alpine landscapes with rich urban and lakeside vistas. Indeed - if you pardon the pun - Lucerne was where paragliding first took off in Switzerland.

From set-off points in and around the city at Kriens, Emmetten, Engelberg and Rigi, you will see the majesty of Rigi, Mount Pilatus and other mountains to your south, west and east, the green rolling hills of the Swiss plateau to the north and the lake and city of Lucerne beneath you.

Video: Paragliding Lucerne / YouTube

Paragliding in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland's heavenly village

Swiss ski resorts and other mountain towns are also fabulous places to go paragliding, a great example being Lauterbrunnen. The “most heavenly village in Europe” offers travellers many opportunities to take to the skies.

Paragliding around the mountains and lush valleys of Lauterbrunnen typically means setting off from the hills above Mürren. From there, you are able to fly as free as a bird for up to 40 minutes. What’s more, paragliding around Lauterbrunnen is possible year-round, provided it’s not raining.

Video: Follow us / YouTube

Discover a UNESCO site at altitude with Aletsch Glacier paragliding

One of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Switzerland, the Aletsch is the largest glacier in the Alps, coming in at 23 kilometres long and nearly a kilometre at its thickest. The glacier itself can be explored on foot, but one of the best ways to see it in all its majesty is to paraglide over it.

With a start point in Fiesch, you will be taken all the way up the cable car to the field where you will start the flight. From there, you can take off and soar over the Aletsch and surrounding mountains, taking in all of its frozen beauty.

Video: sierikas / YouTube 

Paragliding in Zermatt

Arguably Switzerland’s most famous resort, Zermatt, also has a wealth of options when it comes to paragliding. Immerse yourself in the stunning surroundings of the Riffelberg, Gornergrat and even the Matterhorn glacier as you see Valais from an entirely new perspective!

Video: krisztian007 / YouTube

Be as free as a bird by paragliding in Switzerland

By paragliding in Switzerland, you are given a unique view of what is often called the most beautiful country on Earth. Have a favourite location to paraglide that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!