Have you ever wondered to feel what it’s like to fly? Flying is one of the most wished super powers. Now you can truly experience it. The only thing you need to do, is to book a flight for paragliding. It’s a perfect experience for adventure-seekers and nature lovers. You’re suspended beneath an elegant canopy and guided by gravity and aerodynamics. One of the best places to paraglide, is the Gaisberg in Salzburg, Austria.
What is paragliding?
So, first of all: what is paragliding? It is a form of free-flying where a pilot, or in tandem flights, an expert guiding a passenger, uses a lightweight, foot-launched canopy to glide through air currents. In contrary to normal aircrafts, there is no engine. You take off from a slope, ride thermal updrafts and then let gravity gracefully carry you down. This way, you’re turning mountainous landscapes into your personal sky-high playground.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a bird, unfettered, with nothing but an alpine air beneath you, than this is your chance. Paragliding truly is an amazing experience, and the surroundings of the Gaisberg in Salzburg contribute to that in a stellar way.
Preparing for the flight
How to prepare for such an experience? First you’ll meet your pilot at the Gaisberg take-off-zone. Transport can be arranged, often via cable car or a local taxi. Many paragliding companies offer their own taxi service. You’ll get fitted with a hardness and receive a clear safety briefing. No need to worry, because all pilots are licensed and guide every step of the way. Tandem paragliding in Salzburg is the perfect way of taking your first flight.
What you’ll need to do, is to dress appropriately for the weather, bring sunglasses and consider wearing layers. Temperatures at flight altitude may vary. Expect to spend two hours of preparing for a 20-to-40-minute flight, depending on the package you select.
What to expect of the flight?
Once you lettered ‘go’, you will run downhill or off a shallow slope, ready for take-off. Suddenly, you’re aloft. Drifting above Salzburg, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Salzach River and The Alps. The full experience in panorama is truly unforgettable. You will experience flight sensations from soothing serenity to playful thrills if thermals kick in.
The cool thing is that you don’t need to bring your own camera to make this a forever lasting memory. Many flight companies also include the rent of a GoPro or Insta360 camera to capture video from both launching and lancing. It is a gorgeous memento and a great memory to share with your followers, friends and family on social media.
The best locations to paraglide
You may have heard about Zell am See and Kaprun als popular locations for tandem paragliding, but the Gaisberg in Salzburg is not to be underestimated. You can fly from Zell am See-Kaprun, Köningsleiten, Weissensee and the famous Gaisberg. The proximity to the city center makes Gaisberg hard to beat if you’re short on time or want postcard-perfect views without the need to take a long travel. The costs of such flights are between 200 and 600 euros. With the latter package you will have a private pilot for the coming hours, rather than a flight under one hour.
The Gaisberg is good to reach, has stunning panoramic views of the city, surrounding Alps and even parts of Bavaria. After paragliding you can enjoy nature with well-maintained trails and opportunities for both leisurely walks and more challenging hikes. Gaisberg provides an unique perspective of Salzburg, complementing other city views and it offers a chance to experience numerous local flavors at the mountain restaurants.
What reviews say online
Naturally, the best measure of an experience is how others have felt. We researched many reviews online. One guest praised the experience as ‘the most beautiful experience ever. Very friendly and honest.’ Another raved, ‘an amazing experience for all of our family! Friendly, experienced, made you feel completely safe.’ And even for children, paragliding is a great experience: ‘Our 12-year-old son had a fantastic and unforgettable experience. Everything is super safe.’
As you can see, all the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. We will need to mention how many people take safety in account. Of course, paragliding is a both exciting and nerve-racking experience. There is always something in the back of our heads that analyses the risks: what could go wrong? Experienced pilots help you to escape from those thoughts. They will make sure you will have nothing short of pure pleasure from your paragliding adventure.
Pros and cons
Of course, paragliding in Gaisberg has both pros and cons. Let’s discuss them briefly:
Pros:
- Direct access to Salzburg’s alpine overlook: spectacular views without long travel.
- Flexible flight packages from short yet sweet to extended.
- Highly rated pilots and operators with strong safety focus.
- Inclusive media (photos, videos) for lasting memories.
Cons:
- Flights depend on weather: wind and thermals can cause delays or cancellations.
- Logistic costs like cable car or taxi to the launch site may be extra.
- Premium experience comes at a premium price. It is worth it for many, but keep an eye on your budget.
All in all, paragliding on the Gaisberg is a true elevation of your senses. From take-off to landing, you’re getting totally sucked into the castles and rivers, the silent currents of air. The seasoned pilots help you to make this adventure unforgettable!
