Hang Gliding in Interlaken

- Lie flat beside your pilot and fly over Interlaken, with the lakes below - Take off from Beatenberg, high above town, with 4 to 8 running steps down a grassy slope - Smooth and scenic, or stalls, dives and wingovers: you choose, and you can take the control bar for a moment - Land like a small plane, rolling on wheels onto a grass field in Interlaken - Never flown? You are welcome: your pilot does the flying, and the ride up from Interlaken is included - Flights every day, weather permitting

You run a few steps beside your pilot down a grassy slope above Interlaken, and the wing takes your weight. Then you are flying the way you fly in dreams: lying flat, side by side, the lake turquoise far below and the town laid out like a map. For 10 to 20 minutes your pilot flies what you ask for. Some guests want a slow, scenic glide. Others want stalls, dives and wingovers until their eyes water. Ask, and you can take the control bar for a moment. You come in like a small plane, rolling on wheels onto a grass field in Interlaken. Never flown before? Come and fly. Passengers aged 4 to 85 have flown with this crew, and your only job is 4 to 8 running steps. The sky does not need to be blue: Interlaken has very few days when the pilots cannot fly. You are collected at a pickup point in Interlaken, driven up to the take-off at Beatenberg and brought back after landing.

- Tandem flight: CHF 260 per person, one price for every age, pickup and drop-off included - Photo and video package: optional, price on request - T-shirts, hats and gift certificates: on request

- Tandem hang glider flight of 10 to 20 minutes, flown the way you ask - Pilot qualified through the Swiss Hang Gliding Federation - Pre-flight briefing - Hang glider and custom-made harness - Pickup at your meeting point in Interlaken, the drive up to the take-off at Beatenberg, and the ride back Not included: - Photo and video package (optional) - T-shirts and hats - Personal accident insurance: the operator recommends your own - 2.5% processing fee if you pay the operator by card

- Shoes you can run a few steps in - Sun protection and a light layer: our tip, since you fly in the open air - Your exact weight and height: the operator asks for both at booking

- Never flown? Come and fly: no experience needed, your pilot does the flying - Ages 4 to 85 have flown here; under 16 needs a parent's consent - Weight limit 90 kg (200 lbs). Your pilot checks the weight on the day, depending on the wind - Nervous flyers: ask for the smooth, scenic version before take-off - Heart condition, vertigo or another medical concern? The operator asks you to check with your doctor first - Not suitable for anyone who cannot take 4 to 8 running steps at take-off

- Summer flights: every day from April to October, weather permitting - Departures: about every 1 hour 45 minutes between 7:30 and 18:00, according to the operator. Exact times are confirmed at booking - Flight: 10 to 20 minutes in the air. Whole trip: most take under 2 hours from pickup to drop-off, allow up to 3 - Booking: a couple of days ahead is wise, and groups should book at least a few days ahead - Outside summer? The operator also flies in winter: see our winter page for its departures and weight limit

- Ask your pilot about their favourite manoeuvre. The crew page lists names like "The Funky Mosquito" and "The Spiral of no Return". - Don't cancel for a grey sky. It doesn't have to be sunny for a great flight, and there are very few days the crew cannot fly. - Want to hold the control bar? Say so before take-off: it is optional, and your pilot hands it over for a moment. - Want proof for the people at home? Ask about the photo and video package when you book.

Bernie, "Birdman Bernie" to his passengers, runs Hang Gliding Interlaken with his family and a small crew. For more than 22 years they have flown one thing: tandem hang gliders over Interlaken. Their pilots are qualified through the Swiss Hang Gliding Federation, and their Google listing shows 5.0 from more than 700 reviews. We recommend them because the flight is yours to shape, gentle or wild. Swiss Local Adventures acts as an intermediary in the name and on behalf of HANG GLIDING INTERLAKEN GmbH.

*Do I need any experience? No. You take 4 to 8 running steps beside your pilot down a grassy slope, and your pilot does the flying. If you want, you can take the control bar for a moment. *Is it scary? As scary as you ask for. Tell your pilot before take-off whether you want smooth and scenic or stalls, dives and wingovers. You fly side by side the whole time. *Can I fly in winter? Yes. The operator flies every day of the year, weather permitting. Winter has its own page, Winter Hang Gliding in Interlaken, with its own departures, weight limit and clothing advice. *Is there an age or weight limit? Passengers aged 4 to 85 have flown; under 16 needs a parent's consent. The weight limit is 90 kg (200 lbs), and your pilot confirms it on the day, depending on the wind. *What if the weather is bad? It doesn't need to be sunny, and Interlaken has few days when the pilots cannot fly. Strong wind, rain or poor visibility can cancel or move your flight. The operator's terms say a refund may be given. *How long does it take? 10 to 20 minutes in the air, depending on the wind and the flight you ask for. Most trips take under 2 hours from pickup to drop-off; allow up to 3. *Can I get photos or a video of my flight? Yes. The operator offers optional photo and video packages, plus T-shirts and hats. The price is not published online, so ask when you book.

It doesn't have to be sunny for a great flight, and Interlaken has few days when the pilots cannot fly. Strong wind, rain or poor visibility can cancel your flight or move it to another slot. The wind also sets the weight limit, which your pilot checks before take-off. For a weather cancellation, the operator's terms say a refund may be provided, without guaranteeing it.

Hang Gliding Interlaken's terms say a cancellation by the passenger may be subject to a fee. The operator publishes no deadline and no amount. If the operator cancels for wind, rain or poor visibility, it can move your flight to another slot, and its terms say a refund may be provided.