Paragliding in Interlaken
Interlaken
Paragliding in Interlaken
When Ashlynn messaged us about this idea, we said thought it would be fun. I was hoping she would secretly forget so I didn’t have to do it. A few weeks later Ashlynn reminded us and we realized we had to commit to flying hundreds of feet in the air. I am truly terrified of heights and paragliding does not seem like an appropriate activity for someone like me. But, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t try. The day before we saw paragliders in Seealpsee which almost made me faint, but it was too late to opt out!
We used Get Your Guide as it’s a great way to book excursions. We have personally used them many times before and we really love this site, just make sure to read the reviews. The company we booked with was Skywings, just because it had good reviews and worked with our schedule.
The day after our wedding, we woke up early in the morning to meet our guides at the pickup spot in Interlaken. There is a sign that says Skywings so you know that you are in the right spot. We followed our guides to a van to drive far up the mountain. As we were driving I felt like I needed a seatbelt for my heart and teeth because I was so nervous they would fall out in the sky. During the bus ride, we randomly picked out names for who our guide would be. They also explained the procedures and safety rules. The guides have all been paragliding in Interlaken for many years, so it was comforting to know they had lots of experience.
The van reached the top and we got out and put on our gear. Apparently they don’t always get to take off that high due to conditions, which makes us “lucky”. After my gear was on, there was no going back. I ran off the hill with the guide and it felt like I was running off the edge of the earth. Suddenly, my feet were off the ground and I was fully in the air.
I thought I was going to be terrified but shockingly it was peaceful. I felt like I was in a different world soaring so high in the air. The guide and I had a great conversation and I felt so at peace. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment as I never thought I could do it! I even saw Michael in the air and was able to say hi from a distance. Towards the middle of the ride you have the option to do some flips and tricks but I opted out as that was too much for me.
The view of Interlaken from the air is one of the most breathtaking things I’ve ever seen. The sun was just coming up over the snowy mountains, showering the valley in golden light. The lakes on either side are so bright blue it looked electric, and the mountains are massive with snowy peaks in the distance. Overlooking everything struck me with immense awe.
Michaels Thoughts:
My experience was a little more extreme than Yemisi. My guide could tell I was adventurous, and as we approached the mountain we swooped by the trees and kicked them with our feet. Once we were in the open air, he taught me how to steer, and let me fly glider left, right, up, and down. We decided to pull some stunts and we went fully inverted. I love thrill rides and roller coasters, but this was greater than any ride I’ve ever ridden. It truly was a moment I’ll never forget.
The guides will take pictures and videos of you during your paragliding experience and you can purchase them after the flight. They did a really great job getting loads of amazing pics so it was worth it. It turns out my fears were wrong, and I loved every second. Paragliding in Interlaken was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I would love to do it again.
Iseltwald
When we finished paragliding we left Interlaken and drove around the lake. Every village on the drive is stunning with blue water and gorgeous mountains surrounding. We decided to stop at a small village called Iseltwald. It became highly recognized due to the popularity of the Korean drama Crash Landing on You. In the drama, the main character plays piano on a pier overlooking the beautiful Lake Brienz. This drama inspired me to get married in Switzerland because Michael loves mountains and I was obsessed with the beauty of the country.
We decided to visit the pier from the show which is so famous that it costs 5 CHF to enter. We went to the pier early because there can be a long wait due to its popularity. Lake Brienz was a stunning bright blue and the surroundings were very picturesque. We arrived at Iseltwald by car, although it’s also possible to take the ferry from Interlaken which is a very scenic ride.
Bern
Bern is an interesting city, because it is effectively the capital of Switzerland, although the country doesn’t have an official capital. All of the government buildings are located in Bern, while Zurich is the home to the most people and trade, and international relations take place in Geneva. The city is not located on a lake like most cites and villages in Switzerland, rather the old city is build around a large river bend. This gives the historic downtown a distinct feel from the rest of the country and makes the town well worth the visit.
Volver Bar Tapas Cafe
Volver Bar Tapas Cafe was a recommended to us by a local barista. It’s a cute little restaurant at the edge of the old city. As we walked up, there were people busking and the sun was slowly setting over the old cobble roads, adding to the atmosphere. Inside we ordered several plates of various Spanish food. Everything was absolutely delicious! However, like many “small plates” restaurants, the price can get quite high for a small amount of food. Switzerland generally didn’t impress us with it’s food, but we ate some delicious appetizers here!
Noy Bar Caffe
We wanted to stop at a specialty coffee shop in Bern since we had spent the last few days up in the mountains. Noy Bar Caffe was the closest shop so we walked there from downtown. The vibes here were amazing. As soon as we walked in the barista welcomed us with a warm greeting, and the decorations felt super cool. We had a great time interacting with him as he explained their menu, and helped us choose our drinks. The quality of the coffee was amazing and they had interesting brunch and cocktail options as well. We asked him if there were any other shops in town he recommended, although he answered frankly that Bern wasn’t known for specialty coffee so we were happy we found this one!
Final Thoughts
Paragliding in Interlaken was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Even though we were nervous, it was an incredible experience of serenity, beauty, and excitement. If you are considering visiting Interlaken, we highly recommend a paragliding experience be high on your list of activities.
Check out our Travel Diary
