Paragliding in Interlaken

- Float 10 to 20 minutes between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in front of you - Take off at 1,350 metres in Beatenberg and land on the Höhematte, right in the heart of Interlaken - No experience needed: a short briefing, a few running steps, and your pilot does the flying - Ask for a calm glide with the view, or for a few stunts above the town when conditions allow - See your flight on your pilot's tablet right after landing, with photos and videos to keep for CHF 40

Everything goes quiet. Lake Thun lies on one side, Lake Brienz on the other, and on a clear day the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau line up in front of you. For 10 to 20 minutes you drift down towards the rooftops of Interlaken while your pilot steers. Sit back and take in the view, or ask your pilot about a few stunts above the town. Never flown before? Come anyway. Your pilot does the flying, you run a few steps at take-off, and children from age 5 make this same flight. You land on the Höhematte, the big meadow in the middle of Interlaken, where friends can watch you touch down. Your pilot can show you the photos and videos on a tablet straight after landing (CHF 40 to keep them). It all begins with a free pickup in Interlaken and a 20-minute drive up to Beatenberg, 1,350 metres above sea level. From pickup to landing, count about 75 minutes.

- Per person: CHF 190, one price for everyone from age 5 - Photos and videos from your pilot: CHF 40, paid to the pilot after landing - Double Air Time, a longer flight of 20 to 30 minutes when the afternoon thermals allow: CHF 260 per person, on request only - Groups: rates on request

- Free pickup at a central meeting point in Interlaken, Adventure Hostel included - The 20-minute van ride up to the take-off at Beatenberg, 1,350 metres - Tandem flight of about 10 to 20 minutes with a licensed tandem pilot - Helmet, harness, gloves and all flight equipment - Take-off briefing from your pilot - Shoes, jackets and ski pants lent free of charge if you need them Not included: - Photos and videos from your pilot: CHF 40, paid to the pilot - Drop-off after landing: you land in the centre of Interlaken, within walking distance of hotels and both stations - Your own accident and health insurance, valid in Switzerland

- Clothes for the weather and a windproof jacket - Solid closed shoes, mountain boots if you have them - Sunglasses against the wind and the sun - A small pocket camera with a fixed lens and a wrist strap, if you want your own shots. Phones and selfie sticks stay on the ground - A backpack or handbag at most: it waits in the van with your driver. Leave big suitcases at your hotel or in a station locker - No solid shoes or warm jacket? AlpinAir lends shoes, jackets and ski pants free of charge

- Never flown before? This flight is for you: no experience needed, your pilot flies and you run a few steps at take-off - From age 5. Under 18, a parent or guardian gives consent, and AlpinAir may ask for a signed form - Weight from 25 to 90 kg with clothes on. Early morning and evening flights take 80 kg at most. Under 45 kg, you fly in the first three morning flights in summer. Outside 25 to 90 kg, you fly only with AlpinAir's prior approval: ask before you book - You follow your pilot's instructions, walk a short way on uneven ground and run a few steps - Pregnant or living with a medical condition? Tell AlpinAir before you book. No alcohol or drugs before the flight - Every passenger needs their own accident and health insurance valid in Switzerland

- Season: April to October, every day, weather permitting - Departures: April to September, 8 a day from 07:30 to 17:00. October, 7 to 8 a day from 08:00 - Duration: about 75 minutes from pickup to landing, 10 to 20 minutes of it in the air

- Friends staying on the ground? Send them to the Höhematte, opposite the Victoria Jungfrau hotel, to watch and film your landing. - Between 80 and 90 kg? Pick a midday departure: early morning and evening flights take 80 kg at most, because the updrafts are weaker. - Arrive early at your meeting point. The van leaves on time, and a missed pickup counts as a no-show, charged in full. - Want more time in the air? Ask AlpinAir about Double Air Time, which works best in the warm afternoon thermals.

AlpinAir Paragliding GmbH, registered as a company in 2016, organises tandem flights from Interlaken. Its team page lists 20 pilots, and guests rate it 5.0 on Google from more than 3,200 reviews. We recommend AlpinAir for a flight that starts and ends in town: free pickup in Interlaken, Adventure Hostel included, and a landing within walking distance of hotels and both stations. The activity is organised by AlpinAir Paragliding GmbH, and independent licensed tandem pilots fly each flight. Swiss Local Adventures acts as an intermediary in the name and on behalf of AlpinAir Paragliding GmbH.

*Do I need any experience? No. Your pilot gives you a short briefing at the take-off, you run a few steps, and the pilot does the flying. *Can I ask for a calm flight, or for thrills? Tell your pilot what you prefer: a calm glide with the lakes and mountains in view, or a few stunts above Interlaken. Stunts depend on the wind and are your pilot's call. *Are there age and weight limits? From age 5 with a parent's consent, and from 25 to 90 kg with clothes on. Early morning and evening flights take 80 kg at most. Outside these limits, ask AlpinAir before booking. *Where and when do I meet the van? At Interlaken Ost station 15 minutes before your departure, at the Höhematte or the Arabshop 10 minutes before, at Interlaken West 5 minutes before, or at Adventure Hostel or Adventure Guesthouse at departure time. The van cannot wait for latecomers. *Can I take my phone on the flight? You can bring it to the take-off, but not in the air. A small pocket camera with a fixed lens and a wrist strap is allowed. Your pilot films in HD and sells you the files for CHF 40. *What if the weather is bad? Your pilot has the final say. If AlpinAir or your pilot cancels before take-off for weather or safety, you choose between a new date and a full refund. Keep your phone on during the day. *Can I fly in winter too? AlpinAir flies all year. From November to March, see our winter paragliding page for the winter departures and price.

Paragliding depends on wind and weather, and your pilot has the final say. AlpinAir can delay, move or cancel a flight at short notice, and the take-off point can change with the conditions. If AlpinAir or your pilot cancels before take-off for weather or safety, you choose between a new date, subject to availability, and a full refund. A flight cut short in the air for weather or safety does not give an automatic refund. Keep your phone on and reachable on the day of your flight.

Free cancellation more than 48 hours before your meeting time, with a full refund. Within 48 hours, the full price is due. A late arrival, a no-show or the wrong meeting point counts as a cancellation and is charged in full. If you stop running or refuse to take off after the briefing, the flight counts as done and is charged in full. If AlpinAir cancels for weather or safety, you choose between a new date and a full refund. Send any cancellation in writing. AlpinAir's General Terms and Conditions apply to the flight.