Interlaken: Tandem Paragliding Flight & Alpine Lakes Views

4.84

(129 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to run straight off a mountain? I hadn’t—at least not until we met our paragliding guides just outside Interlaken. The van ride up to Beatenberg was all nervous chatter and that sharp, green smell you only get in Swiss forests after rain. Our pilot, Jonas, handed me a wind jacket (I’d forgotten mine, classic) and grinned like he’d done this a thousand times—which he probably had. He told us the Eiger was hiding behind clouds today but promised the lakes would make up for it.

I’m not sure what I expected from tandem paragliding in Switzerland, but it wasn’t how quiet everything felt once we lifted off. You know that moment when your feet leave the ground and you’re just… floating? It’s almost silent except for the wind snapping at your boots. Jonas pointed out Lake Thun below—a blue so bright it didn’t look real—and I tried to say “Brienzersee” right. He laughed (kindly) at my pronunciation and said most people get it wrong on their first day trip from Interlaken to Beatenberg.

Landing was less terrifying than I thought—more like stumbling into a soft field than dropping from the sky. My hands were still shaking when we checked out the photos (yes, you can buy them if you want). There’s something about seeing yourself midair with those mountains behind you that makes your knees weak all over again. I still think about that view sometimes when things get loud back home.