This site's pickMürren
Lauterbrunnen valley
- In the air
- Up to 20 minutes
- Landing
- Stechelberg
- Price
- from $209
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Guide · Where to fly
Paragliding in Switzerland: where to fly a tandem
Switzerland packs lakes, cliff valleys and four-thousand-meter peaks into a small country, and tandem pilots fly over all of them. This overview of paragliding in Switzerland shows the main regions, what each one looks like from the air and what a flight costs.
Check availabilityfrom $209 · cancel without a fee
Editorial team, murrentandemparagliding.comUpdated October 20, 2026Reading time 6 min31 sources
In brief
A small country with many take-offs
Paragliding in Switzerland is a mainstream sport, not a niche one. The BFU, the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, calls it by far the most popular air sport in the country.8 The Swiss Hang Gliding Association, the SHV, was founded in 1974 and today has around 20,000 members.9 For a visitor that means trained pilots, marked take-offs and landing fields in most of the classic Alpine resorts.
Tandem flights for passengers with no experience are offered across the Alps and the lakes. On GetYourGuide alone you find them in Mürren, Interlaken, Zermatt and around Lucerne, from a from-price of $209 in Mürren up to $420 for a private Zermatt flight. Tourism offices list more, from Grindelwald to the Aletsch Arena.
The regions differ in what lies below you. Some flights glide over lakes and a town park, some follow cliff walls into a valley, and some launch beside glaciers. Choosing well is mostly about matching the landscape to your trip, then checking weight limits and the time you have. Every region below flies under the same Swiss rules, which come at the end.
Mürren and the Lauterbrunnen valley
Mürren is the cliff-edge option. The village is car-free and sits at 1,638 m above a valley where Lauterbrunnen Tourism counts 72 waterfalls.101112 The Lauterbrunnen valley lies at the heart of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in December 2001.13
Airtime's flight leaves from a field 15 minutes on foot from the Mürren cable car station and stays up to 20 minutes in the air before landing in Stechelberg. It starts from $209, the lowest from-price of the Swiss listings compared on this site. A second Mürren flight starts from Birg in summer or Schilgrat in winter and lasts 20 to 25 minutes in the air.
What makes the valley special from above is the scale. You see the rock walls side on, the waterfalls dropping from the rim, and the snow peaks across the gap; the Airtime listing names the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. That combination of a vertical landscape and a short, simple day is the reason this site recommends Mürren.
Regions compared
Tandem flights across Switzerland
| Region | Take-off | Landing or base | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mürren | Field above the village | Stechelberg | from $209 |
| Interlaken | Beatenberg | Höhematte | from $223 |
| Lucerne area | Niederbauen | Emmetten | from $267 |
| Stans | Mountain by cable car | Stans | from $296 |
| Zermatt | Cable car take-off | Zermatt | from $372 |
| Zermatt VIP | Unterrothorn | Zermatt | from $420 |
From each GetYourGuide listing's record; from-prices change with date and slot.
Regions
Valley, Matterhorn or lake
This site's pick
Highest take-offs
Lake viewsDecision helper
Which region fits your trip?
Start from what you want to see
The Klein Matterhorn is the highest commercially used take-off point in Europe. At 3,883 meters above sea level, the adventure begins here as you glide into the depths together with an experienced pilot.
Interlaken and Grindelwald
Interlaken has several tandem operators within a short walk of each other. Skywings' flight from Beatenberg to the Höhematte is the most reviewed of the listings compared here, rated 4.94 from 2,580 reviews. AlpinAir describes a bus ride of about 20 minutes to Amisbühl, a flight of 10-20 minutes, and a landing in the Höhematte park in the center of town.15
Interlaken Tourism lists more take-offs: Swiss Paragliding & Adventure flies in the morning from the Niederhorn and in the evening from the Schynige Platte.17 The same operator asks paraglider passengers to weigh between 30 kg and 100 kg.18
Grindelwald adds a mountain take-off. At Grindelwald First, Paragliding Jungfrau flies tandems with the Eiger north face in front of you after a few steps down the slope, and the activity lasts 2 h.2 Jungfrau Railways lists paragliding over the Lauterbrunnen valley, Interlaken or Grindelwald among the region's adventures.1 A Grindelwald flight pairs well with a day of walking on the mountain itself.
Map
From the Mürren cable car down to the Stechelberg landing field
The ledge of Mürren with its two take-offs and the field on the valley floor, then the whole country with the other places where tandem flights start.
1Mürren station2Birg3Schiltgrat take-off4Stechelberg landing5Gimmelwald6Mürren BLM station7Grütschalp8Lauterbrunnen
9Mürren10Interlaken11Zermatt12Emmetten13Zurich14Geneva
- 1Mürren cable car station
Airtime meets its guests just outside the Schilthornbahn station; its take-off field is 15 minutes away on foot.19
In Google Maps ↗ - 2Birg
The summer take-off of the panorama flight; the Schilthornbahn station stands at 2,677 m.14
In Google Maps ↗ - 3Schiltgrat take-off
The winter take-off of the panorama flight, which its listing writes Schilgrat and puts at 2,100 m.
In Google Maps ↗ - 4Stechelberg landing field
Both Mürren flights land here, next to the Schilthornbahn valley station.20
In Google Maps ↗ - 5Gimmelwald
A car-free village at 1,367 m and the middle station of the cableway to Mürren.2122
In Google Maps ↗ - 6Mürren BLM station
The train from Grütschalp arrives here after 11 minutes.23
In Google Maps ↗ - 7Grütschalp
Top of the cableway from Lauterbrunnen, a ride of 4 minutes.24
In Google Maps ↗ - 8Lauterbrunnen
The valley village at 795 m, where trains from Interlaken Ost arrive.1225
In Google Maps ↗ - 9Mürren
The village at 1,638 m that both Mürren flights start from.11
In Google Maps ↗ - 10Interlaken
Flights launch at Amisbühl, Beatenberg, and land in the Höhematte park.15
In Google Maps ↗ - 11Zermatt
The Klein Matterhorn take-off, at 3,883 m, is called Europe's highest commercially used.3
In Google Maps ↗ - 12Emmetten
Tandem days near Lucerne meet at the Niederbauen cableway's valley station here.
In Google Maps ↗ - 13Zurich
A day trip from Zurich with a flight in Interlaken lasts 10 hours.
In Google Maps ↗ - 14Geneva
A 13-hour bus trip from Geneva includes a flight in Interlaken.
In Google Maps ↗
Checklist
Choosing a region
01
Decide
- The view you want: lakes, cliffs or glaciers
- How much of the day you can give it
- How far it is from your base
02
Check
- Weight and age limits of the listing
- Whether the cable car is included
- Warm gear for high take-offs
Calculator
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Check availabilityfree cancellationThe total takes each flight's GetYourGuide from-price, multiplies it by the number of passengers and converts it with the European Central Bank's daily rate; checkout shows the final amount.
Video
Paragliding the Tallest Mountain in Switzerland! - FLY ZERMATT!
Until you tap play, the video stays unloaded.
Zermatt and the Matterhorn
For paragliding in Zermatt the draw is a single mountain. Switzerland Tourism gives the Matterhorn's height as 4,478 meters.26 Zermatt Tourism says the Klein Matterhorn, at 3,883 meters, is the highest commercially used take-off point in Europe, and names the Rothorn and the Riffelberg as other take-offs.3
Matterhorn Paragliding's listing includes a flysuit, helmet, hat and gloves; its day has a cable car ride of 30 minutes and a flight of 25 minutes, and the transport to the take-off is extra. It starts from $372 and is rated 4.98 from 66 reviews. The FLYBYPARA flight goes up to the Unterrothorn by cable car in 40 minutes and stays airborne for 25 to 30 minutes, weather permitting.
The age rules differ from the Jungfrau region. The Matterhorn Paragliding listing is not suitable for people over 65 years or over 91 kg, and the FLYBYPARA listing excludes people over 75. A high take-off can be cold even in summer, and the listing's flysuit, hat and gloves are there for a reason.
Lucerne, Stans and Central Switzerland
For paragliding from Lucerne the take-offs are on the mountains around the lake. CAP Paragliding meets in front of Lucerne's main station or at Stans station, or at the Niederbauen cableway in Emmetten for drivers, and the cable car to the take-off costs about CHF 10 to 15 extra. Its flight starts from $267 for a private group.
Switzerland Paragliding, the same operator as the Birg flight in Mürren, also flies near Lucerne from the Niederbauen cableway over Canton Nidwalden, from $273. A Stans listing from $296 includes the cable car and the photos and 4K videos in its price.
Lucerne Tourism lists SkyGlide tandem flights in Central Switzerland from CHF 185 per person, bookable all year with a pilot certified by the SHV.274 These flights suit a trip based in Lucerne or Zurich, with lake views instead of glacier walls. A morning flight leaves the afternoon free for a boat on the lake or a walk in the old town, which makes a full and varied day without long transfers.
The Aletsch Arena and winter flying
In the Valais, the Aletsch Arena offers tandem flights in summer and in winter, in winter with or without skis on your feet.5 A flight there costs between CHF 140 and 240, depending on the duration and the flight path.6 Children can fly from the age of four.28
Winter flights also run in the Jungfrau region. The Mürren panorama flight switches its take-off from Birg to Schilgrat in the winter season, and Jungfrau Region Tourism's listing for Airtime says you can fly in Mürren all year round.16 In Interlaken, Skywings publishes separate winter slots and meeting points for November to March.
Winter brings white views, short days and cold take-offs. Bring gloves and a warm layer, and do not expect the long afternoon flights of summer: Airtime explains that it is the sun warming the slopes that builds the thermals for longer flights.29
Where is the best paragliding in Switzerland?
Asking where the best paragliding in Switzerland is gets you a different answer from every pilot, and that is fair: the places do different things. Interlaken is the easy choice for a town stay, Zermatt is the one for the Matterhorn, Lucerne fits a lake holiday, and Mürren is the one for cliffs and waterfalls. None of them is a bad choice, and all of them fly with licensed tandem pilots under the same national system.
The rules are the same everywhere. The SHV, on behalf of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation, keeps the hang glider register, runs the pilot examinations and issues the official licenses.7 A pilot needs the Biplace 3 license to fly paying passengers.3031
Decide by the landscape first and the logistics second. If you have one day in the Bernese Oberland and want the most dramatic view per minute, a flight into the Lauterbrunnen valley is hard to match. If your base is elsewhere, the nearest well-reviewed operator usually beats a long journey to a famous name. Read the reviews of the specific listing, not the reputation of the resort, before you pay.
Your turn
The meadow above Mürren is waiting.
Pick a time, walk up from the cable car and cancel free up to 24 hours before.
You ask,we answer.
Where can I paraglide in Switzerland as a beginner?
In Mürren, Interlaken, Zermatt or near Lucerne. Tandem flights need no experience; listings run in Mürren, Interlaken, Zermatt and near Lucerne.16
Which take-off is the highest?
The Klein Matterhorn. Zermatt Tourism calls it, at 3,883 m, the highest commercially used take-off in Europe.3
Which flight is the most reviewed?
Skywings in Interlaken. Rated 4.94 from 2,580 reviews.
Can I fly near Lucerne?
Yes, from Emmetten or Stans. CAP Paragliding meets at Lucerne station, Stans station or the Niederbauen cableway.
Can I fly in winter?
Yes, in several regions. The Aletsch Arena flies in summer and winter, and Airtime flies in Mürren all year.516
Is the pilot license the same everywhere?
Yes. The SHV issues the official Swiss licenses on behalf of FOCA.7
How much does a flight cost?
Roughly from $209 to $420. Those are the lowest and highest from-prices of the listings compared here.
Sources
What this text is based on
- 1Jungfrau Railways (Jungfraubahnen)Mürren↩
- 2Jungfrau Region Tourism (Grindelwald Tourism)Paragliding Jungfrau - First-Grindelwald↩
- 3↩
- 4Lucerne TourismSkyGilde - Paragliding tandem flights in Central Switzerland↩
- 5Aletsch Arena AGParagliding in the Aletsch Arena↩
- 6Aletsch Arena AGParagliding in the Aletsch Arena↩
- 7Swiss Hang Gliding Association (SHV/FSVL)The SHV - Your association↩
- 8BFU, Swiss Council for Accident PreventionFlugsport↩
- 9Swiss Hang Gliding Association (SHV/FSVL)The SHV - Your association↩
- 10Mürren TourismHolidays in Mürren↩
- 11Mürren TourismHolidays in Mürren↩
- 12Lauterbrunnen TourismDiscover the Lauterbrunnen Valley↩
- 13Lauterbrunnen TourismUNESCO World Heritage Site↩
- 14Schilthorn Cableway (Schilthornbahn AG)Birg↩
- 15Interlaken TourismAlpinAir Paragliding↩
- 16Jungfrau Region TourismAirtime Paragliding Lauterbrunnen↩
- 17Interlaken TourismSwiss Paragliding & Adventure↩
- 18Interlaken TourismSwiss Paragliding & Adventure↩
- 19Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)Meeting Point Mürren↩
- 20Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)FAQ - Good to know↩
- 21Schilthorn Cableway (Schilthornbahn AG)Gimmelwald↩
- 22Schilthorn Cableway (Schilthornbahn AG)Gimmelwald↩
- 23Jungfrau Railways (Jungfraubahnen)Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren AG↩
- 24Jungfrau Railways (Jungfraubahnen)Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren AG↩
- 25Jungfrau Region TourismArrival↩
- 26Switzerland Tourism (MySwitzerland)Zermatt↩
- 27Lucerne TourismSkyGilde - Paragliding tandem flights in Central Switzerland↩
- 28Aletsch Arena AGParagliding in the Aletsch Arena↩
- 29Airtime Paragliding (operator of listing 582655)When is Best to Fly? Same Views, Different Feel↩
- 30Swiss Hang Gliding Association (SHV/FSVL)Gleitschirm Biplace 3↩
- 31Swiss Hang Gliding Association (SHV/FSVL)Gleitschirm Biplace 1↩
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