Ever got to a place and thought it is so beautiful that you would like a bird’s eye view of the area? Ever wondered what it would be like to be a bird soaring through the sky? Well I experienced this while paragliding in Lake Garda from a hilltop.
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return” – Leonardo Da Vinci
The morning I started with meeting Yeti Extreme instructors, and we headed in their van up the hillside. After a short walk we entered the takeoff point. I was on Mount Belpo, San Zeno di Montagna overlooking Lake Garda. As the guys set up the parachute, I spent the time looking out at the amazing views over Lake Garda as we were between Mount Baldo and the Lake.
In no time at all, we were ready to fly and, after a brief lesson, I was attached by my harness to the instructor and given the best piece of advice. RUN! and don’t stop.
Looking for other things to do in and around Lake Garda? Check out my post about Via Ferrata
We waited till the wind lifted the parachute a little before we ran like the wind and very soon we were up in the air soaring through the sky. The thermals lifted us up each time we headed low, like a vulture circling in the sky. The views were incredible and, as an added bonus, I had control of a Go-Pro to film my entire flight.
Check out the film of me paragliding in Lake Garda here;
The landing was easy and, as the guys packed away the equipment, we were entertained by a gaggle of turkeys who answered our funny attempts to impersonate them. Soon our experience was over but one that I will always remember. I am one of few who saw this beautiful area from that view point today. And I have a certificate to prove it!
Please comment below if you have ever tried paragliding in Lake Garda or similar. If you have any other advice on fun activities to do in Italy, let me know. Don’t forget to subscribe (It’s free!) to my blog for more posts like this and interesting travel tips.
Tips on Paragliding in Lake Garda:
1/ I took flight with Yeti Extreme . They have a range of packages for tandem flights ranging from 80E – 155E. They also have a paragliding school where you can learn to fly.
2/ You should wear long trousers and sturdy shoes with good grips for when you run off the mountain and land.
3/ There are no age limits but you need your parents’ authorisation if under 18 years old.
4/ You need to have a reasonable fitness level as there is a short bit of running to do.
5/ You need to inform Yeti Extreme if you are outside the weight range of 40-100kg so that they can meet your needs.
6/ This route is good for all seasons and all times during the daylight.
I always wanted to do this! And what an amazing place to do it. It scares me a little bit I think I’m going to have to do it on a trip soon!
You really have to. It was such a great experience.
I don’t think paragliding is my cup of tea, but it sure looks lovely up there! We just spent a month in Florence, with a couple sidetrips to Siena and the Cinque Terre. So many fun things to do in Italy, I think we need to go back.
You are right, there is so much to do in Italy that you can miss out on the paragliding if it isn’t your cup of tea and do something as equally fun. Wow a month. That tops my long weekend 🙂
Eek. I think it’s great to have a bird’s eye view, but not sure I would paraglide. Maybe someday I’ll have the courage to do something like this.
It was so much fun 🙂
Your pics are absolutely beautiful. Looks like an amazing time.
It looks really fun! I don’t know if I could do that because I have a fear of heights, but it doesn’t manifest at all in a plane, I can look down through the window without any problem during flights.
Awww what a shame of your fear. Italy is amazing, there is plenty to do without having to scare yourself 🙂
I would definitely love to paraglide, it is on my list. Have not thought about an yparticular place yet. Great that you got to record it.
Cool experience and your get those amazing views from above. Since you enjoyed paragliding, you should check out skydiving some time. Same great views, and more time in the canopy since you are jumping from an aircraft much higher up.
Lake Garda looks amazing and paragliding over it sounds amazing! What an incredible experience that I am thoroughly jealous of! Great post!