Yes, I had the best hang gliding experience possible in Interlaken, Switzerland. It's actually the main reason I even went to Switzerland and Interlaken specifically. This location has the best hang gliding views over the Alps and alpine lakes.
I watched a Discovery show when I was a kid about hang gliding. I was instantly hooked on the idea that this unique sport could give me the experience of having wings and flying.
I took a risk going during shoulder season when the weather is still mostly cold and less predictable than the summer months. With a little flexibility and luck, I managed to catch the first thermal of the year with the most experienced pilot around.
After I visited family in Germany, I continued my May 2026 euro trip. I visited one of the most stunning mountainous regions of the world: Interlaken, Switzerland. Snowy, craggy Alps surround this tourist town. Sitting between two lakes, Interlaken serves as a central railway link to many smaller alpine villages in the region.
Traveling there during shoulder season meant less crowds. I also imagine the costs of things overall were lower even though everything in Switzerland is expensive no matter what way you slice it!
The time of year that I went limited the options I had for hiking. I wasn’t able to hike most upper altitude areas. Alas, I still managed to access four epic viewpoints via hiking and cable cars. This post highlights how I accessed each, what they offered, and why Spring is a wonderful season to visit Interlaken.
