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Good to know about Paragliding Lucerne Region - Lake Lucerne

Travel Guide

Central Switzerland is a true paradise for paragliding. The view from the air is spectacular, stretching from the Eastern Swiss Alps to the 4000-meter peaks of the Bernese Oberland. The glistening lakes create a fantastic contrast throughout the landscape. Paragliding flights just before sunset are especially popular in summer due to the beautiful colors.

Almost all paragliding areas in Central Switzerland can be used year-round. We've gathered the 10 most beautiful paragliding flights in Central Switzerland for you.

Paragliding Hoch Ybrig

The paragliding area at Hoch Ybrig is very popular among pilots. Especially the take-off point at Sternen is an important spot all year round. Surrounded by a stunning mountain backdrop, flights with a height difference of up to 1000 m are possible here.

The infrastructure is perfect for paragliding as the take-off and landing areas are located right next to the mountain station. In winter, the operators usually prepare a compacted take-off runway next to the mountain station.

You can best reach the Hoch Ybrig hiking and winter sports area via the cable car from Weglosen, which is situated at 1035 m above sea level in the Waag valley. The cable car takes you up to 1460 m above sea level at Seebli, and from there you continue with the chairlift. This will bring you to the mountain stations Spirstock and Sternen at 1771 m and 1856 m above sea level, respectively.

Paragliding Rigi

The Rigi is an impressive mountain massif with peaks ranging from about 1600 to nearly 1800 m above sea level. It is beautifully situated between Lake Zug, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Lauerz and is also known as the "Queen of the Mountains." Paragliding on the Rigi is possible all year long, depending on the weather.

The most beautiful take-off point is from Rigi-Kulm, the highest peak of the massif. The height difference to the landing area is at least 1000 m, allowing for flight times of at least 15 minutes. With the right updraft, flight time can extend to up to 30 minutes. A good evening thermal can turn flights in the evening hours, just before sunset, into a special experience.

The Rigi offers several take-off points that can be selected depending on the wind direction:

  • Rigi-Kulm (southeast to southwest)
  • Rigi-Staffelhöhe (west to northwest)
  • Rigi-Scheidegg (northeast)
  • Rigi-Rotstöckli (north to northwest)

The landing area is located, depending on the take-off point, north of Goldau, in Kräbel, Weggis, Kreppen, or Küssnacht. A small landing area in Vitznau is also sometimes used.

There are several cable cars and cogwheel trains leading to the Rigi.

Gleitschirmfliegen Rigi
(Foto: Rigi Bergbahnen)
Gleitschirmfliegen Rigi
(Foto: Rigi Bergbahnen)
Paragliding Seebodenalp

Surrounded by dense forest, Seebodenalp sits beneath the Rigi and offers stunning views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug as a hiking area and winter skiing destination. It's also perfect for paragliding.

The cable car runs every half hour from Küssnacht to the mountain station, taking about 8 minutes to arrive at a sun-drenched plateau on the north side of the Alp. From here, you can reach the launch site at 1,032 m above sea level in just 10 minutes. About twelve meters lower, there’s another take-off point located between the alpine restaurant and the mountain station.

On a paragliding flight from Seebodenalp, you’ll descend about 560 meters. The landing area is located near the valley station of the cable car on the meadow at Küssnacht-Eichholtern.

Paragliding Braunwald

Braunwald is a popular area for thermals. Nestled between the Glarus Alps and the Klausen Pass, it’s car-free and boasts large forests and many fresh springs. You can reach Braunwald from Linthal in just seven minutes via the funicular.

There are a total of three launch sites where you can start your paragliding flight. The first launch site is at 1,234 m above sea level, right next to the funicular mountain station. It’s especially popular with beginners who complete their first flights at lower altitudes.

The Gumen launch site at 1,900 m above sea level can be reached via the Gumen cable car. Just a two-minute walk from the mountain station gets you to the launch site where you can enjoy scenic paragliding flights year-round.

The third launch site is at 2,064 m above sea level. This gently sloping alpine meadow requires about a 30-minute hike from the mountain station of the cable car, so you’ll earn those extra altitude meters. It’s definitely worth it.

Paragliding Pilatus

The Pilatus is a mountain massif south of Lucerne and the local mountain for the city. Using the Pilatus railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, you can reach the Pilatus Kulm mountain station from Alpnachstad in 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take two cable cars from Kriens to the mountaintop. With a magnificent panorama of surrounding peaks and Lake Lucerne, Pilatus is an excellent spot for paragliding.

There’s a launch site just below the restaurant at the Pilatus Kulm mountain station. The meadow quickly transitions into a rocky slope, demanding a good take-off technique. With a launch height of around 2,040 m above sea level, you can achieve an altitude difference of about 1,600 m by the time you land. However, in winter, the Pilatus Kulm start point is not suitable.

The Klimsenkapelle launch site can be reached from the mountain station only with good footwear. Situated at 1,878 m above sea level, it’s less challenging than the restaurant launch site and allows for summer flights with a height difference of 1,600 m.

A launch site that’s also suitable in winter is Steiglihorn. From Pilatus Kulm, you can reach it after a 15-minute walk.

Gleitschirmfliegen Zentralschweiz Pilatus
(Foto: Mountain O Clock)
Gleitschirmfliegen Zentralschweiz Pilatus
(Foto: Mountain O Clock)
Paragliding Büelen

The Büelen mountain area is somewhat sheltered from the wind in the Engelberg valley, at about 1100 m above sea level. It can be accessed via the aerial cable car from Geissmattli (Wolfenschiessen). The base station is located at 550 meters high. There are two take-off spots here.

You can find the Büelen take-off spot right next to the mountain station on a small but moderately steep meadow. To get to the Büelenhang spot, you hike up the slope for about ten minutes. The landing area is located in front of the Neu-Fallenbach farm, just north of the cable car station, at 540 meters. In the valley, the wind can become quite strong in spring and summer. There are many lines to watch out for when landing.

Access to the landing area is restricted for all vehicles; they must be parked exclusively at the valley cable car station. Since the area is used for training and exams, it is often quite busy. It's known for its good facilities, including a food kiosk, folding space, and seating area. The Engelberg valley is about 25 kilometers long and situated in a stunning mountain landscape that is also very scenic in winter.

Paragliding Niederbauen Emmetten

The Niederbauen area is a very easy flying zone with a large take-off spot that becomes steeper. From Niederbauen at 1575 m above sea level, you can fly to Emmetten in about 15 minutes year-round, covering a height difference of 850 meters. Thermal flights can extend to about 30 minutes.

The mountain lift operates daily at half-hour intervals from Emmetten to Niederbauen, taking around 8 minutes. Already from the cable car, you have a direct view of Lake Lucerne. The landing spot in Emmetten is gently sloped and can be approached well in moderate westerly winds. Even in the late afternoon, the flying conditions here remain good.

Gleitschirmfliegen Zentralschweiz Innerschweiz Emmetten
(Foto: Schwyz Tourismus)
Gleitschirmfliegen Zentralschweiz Innerschweiz Emmetten
(Foto: Schwyz Tourismus)
Paragliding Rotenflue

The 1,571-meter high Rotenfluh mountain (also known as Rotenflue) is the local mountain for the cantonal capital of Schwyz. Due to its close proximity to the Grosse Mythen, it is popular as a starting point for hikes. The Rotenfluebahn operates year-round from Rickenbach via the middle station Rätigs to Rotenflue, covering the 958 meters in less than 30 minutes.

The launch site for paragliding from Rotenflue is located at 1,519 meters above sea level. You can reach it with a 10-minute walk from the mountain station. While paragliding, you'll enjoy a stunning view of the Mythen mountains in the north and the Vierwaldstättersee and Lauerzersee in the west. The maximum elevation difference you can achieve is 1,109 meters. The landing takes place in Rickenbach on the landing field at the eastern end of the village.

Paragliding Engelberg Brunni

The Brunni area is located on the sunny side of Engelberg and has three take-off points for paragliding. This region around the Titlis is particularly enchanting from the air and is a highly popular paragliding area.

The launch site Tümpfeli, situated at 1,800 meters above sea level, faces south and southeast. You can reach it using the Ristis cable car of the Brunni website and then the Ristis-Brunnihütte chairlift. After that, there's about a 10-minute descent to the launch site.

At 1,870 meters above sea level, the launch site Härzlisee is located at the Brunnihütte and oriented to the west. The path from the chairlift's mountain station takes about four minutes at the same elevation. The way to reach the launch site Schonegg takes 20 minutes uphill. In the winter, you can conveniently cover this distance with the ski lift. At 2,000 meters above sea level, you'll be launching to the south and southwest.

Paragliding Zurich

The local mountain of Zurich, Uetliberg, stands at 870 meters above sea level and is perfect for paragliding. The magnificent view during the flight extends over all of Zurich and Lake Zurich, reaching into the Glarus Alps. A paraglide from Uetliberg, especially in the summer evenings just before sunset, is a truly unique experience.

The launch site in Balderen is at 730 meters above sea level and is small, surrounded by trees. It was originally created by a landslide. Because it is very small, the paraglider must be prepared away from the site. The landing place is at 560 meters in Zurich-Leimbach. The elevation difference of 170 meters is significantly less than a paraglide from one of the higher mountain peaks mentioned above. However, you'll enjoy an impressive view over the largest city in Switzerland.

Zürich Uetliberg Gleitschirmfliegen
(Foto: Zürich Tourismus)
Zürich Uetliberg Gleitschirmfliegen
(Foto: Zürich Tourismus)

Frequently asked questions

Paragliding Lucerne Region - Lake Lucerne · answered by the editorial team

For whom is paragliding suitable?

As a passenger on a tandem flight, you do not need any previous experience. You will be instructed by the pilot before the paragliding flight in the launch preparation, what you have to pay attention to during take-off, landing and also during the flight. There are no age restrictions from the age of 16, but your weight should be between thirty and one hundred kilograms. The exact weight depends on the offer and the take-off site and is shown separately when booking. No special fitness is required, but if you have any serious illnesses, you should consult your doctor and state this when booking. Sturdy shoes, long trousers and a windbreaker are compulsory. In most cases, a tandem flight is possible for children from about seven years of age, but permission from a parent or guardian is required.

What do you need to start paragliding as a pilot in Switzerland?

Anyone wishing to practice this sport as a pilot in Switzerland must first pass two exams for single-place paragliders. One exam concerns the theoretical training, which is divided into five sections. The practical examination is completed in a maximum of three paraglider flights. This tests the pilot's mastery of the glider. This is done in three sections at take-off, during the flight and at landing within a given thirty meter circle. In order to be credited for the training, the take-off and landing area must have a minimum altitude difference of 300 meters. To fly a tandem parachute (also called a biplace) you need to pass another strict exam. The license is called in German Hängegleiter Ausweis (Licence de vol libre, Licenza per aliante da pendio, Hang gliding license) and is issued by the Swiss Confederation. Anyone who has passed these exams is allowed to fly as a paraglider pilot.

In order to be allowed to take off with a paraglider in Switzerland, only the permission of the land owner is required. The launch and landing sites are usually managed by flight schools, local clubs or even mountain railway operators. However, a concluded liability insurance is a prerequisite. As a foreign guest pilot, you must obtain confirmation from your insurance company that your insurance also covers your flights in Swiss airspace. Guarantees and coverage for third party damages must be sufficiently covered. as a pilot, you can also take out 30-day insurance with the Swiss Hang Gliding Association.

How does paragliding work?

The pilot sits safely in a harness under the paraglider, which is connected to the harness by lines. He steers the flight by means of control lines. In a tandem flight, the passenger sits in a second permanently connected harness directly in front of the pilot. All the equipment fits into a backpack and weighs between fifteen and twenty kilograms. In the mountains, the flight is usually done with a forward takeoff. The paraglider is behind you and you slowly start walking until the paraglider has filled with air and is above you. If nothing is tangled, you take a few more steps accelerated downhill and already at 20 km/h the paraglider lifts you into the air.

How dangerous is paragliding?

Professionalism and safety are guaranteed in paragliding. All pilots, without exception, are tested by the Swiss Hang Gliding Association SHV and have a brevet, the hang gliding certificate. Pilots who are allowed to perform tandem flights go through an additional strict examination. There are also very strict regulations for paragliders. All parts of the paraglider must be able to withstand at least an eightfold load. Today, paragliding is the safest aviation sport of all. Between 2000-2017, an average of 8 people died while paragliding according to BFU. With 16,000 registered and licensed paragliding pilots, this is a comparably low figure. Especially if you consider that every pilot flies several times a year.

How did paragliding come into being?

Paragliding has been around in its infancy for more than seventy years. NASA engineer Francis Melvin Rogallo received the first patent of a predecessor paraglider in 1948. Somewhat later, David Barish also developed and tested very similar gliders

In Switzerland, the German Strasilla brothers, who lived here, together with Andrea Kuhn of Switzerland, developed the world's first paraglider from drag parachutes in 1973. They registered their own paraglider patent as the Skywing. Even then, their glider had an ingenious system of arresting and control lines. Dieter and Udo Strasilla were the first people to fly together from the 3466 meter high Jungfraujoch to Lauterbrunnen, about six kilometers away, covering 2676 meters in altitude. That was the birth of paragliding in Switzerland

Even today, the world's first paraglider, an 11-cell glider made of spinnaker fabric, can still be seen. It is located in the Flugwerft Schleissheim near Munich, which belongs to the German Museum. The Bernese Alps south of Interlaken are known for their triumvirate of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and offer ideal conditions for paragliding with peaks above 4000 meters altitude.

Where do I meet my tandem pilot when I have booked a paragliding flight?

When you book a paragliding tandem flight through Swiss Activities, we will tell you the meeting point. However, depending on the flight, you may need to contact the provider after booking to discuss the details as the meeting point may be slightly different. If this is the case, we have described this in the text of the flight so that you know when you need to take action.

Even if the meeting point is clearly defined, paragliding can change at short notice due to weather conditions. The weather is not controllable and sometimes the pilot has to choose a different take-off point so that you can carry out the flight. Therefore, it is important that you are available by phone and email on the day of the activity (and even a day before). The provider will receive your email address and phone number when you book. They will contact you if there is a change.

Is there a photo and video service for me and how much does it cost?

All tandem flight providers offer a photo and video service. This way, you fly in a relaxed way and get unique souvenirs afterwards. You should expect to pay between CHF 40 and 45 for this service.

Can I also take my own camera with me?

A small compact camera or a GoPro can usually be taken along if it can be easily attached to the harness. Mobile phones and selfie sticks are not allowed.

Alpi

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