In co-operation with Switzerland Tourism
We have now had the chance to try hang gliding in Interlaken, Switzerland. There was no doubt that Peter would agree to fly, but the question was whether I (Helena) was also prepared to throw myself into the air ...? The dramatic start of the day was then followed by a lovely boat trip on Lake Brienz, and a nice hike to a waterfall.
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From Gruyère to Brienz
After all the gluttony of chocolate and cheese in Gruyère cheese we rolled on towards Brienz on Lake Brienz, mainly along the Grand Tour of Switzerlandthat is, the beautiful road around Switzerland. Here we took in an absolutely fantastic nice campsite right on the lake.
Stay at camping Aaregg in Brienz
Family campsite Aaregg The campsite is located on the beautiful Lake Brienz, about 20 minutes' walk from Brienz. Right next to the campsite you have the clear green-blue water, and in all directions around the lake you can see the high dramatic mountains. This is also a modern and very nice campsite with well-maintained pitches, fresh service buildings, WiFi that works well and a restaurant.
Eat at Restaurant in Brienz
A short walk from the campsite we also found the restaurant at Hotel Brienz. The hotel's outdoor dining area is actually a bit boring against a car park, but here we got such good food that we went back again after the first one!
Try hang gliding in Interlaken
The Swiss Tourist Office surprised us by inviting us to try hang gliding in Interlaken. Hang gliding? I, Helena, am afraid of heights! How would it go?
By the time we got on the train in the morning, from Brienz to Interlaken, I had almost made up my mind that not try. Then we met up with that crazy bunch from Bumble Bee Hang Gliding, and I thought that I could wait a bit to say that I didn't want to fly ...
We travelled by car up a mountain with five pilots/guides from Bumble Bee and two young girls from South Korea. Up on the mountain, the pilots built the small structures we would fly with and then we practised running to start the flight.
What made me dare to try it after all was the fact that you can not had to jump off a cliff. All you had to do was run down a hill, until you simply lifted off the ground ...
Of course my stomach was churning, but taking off was actually not as scary as you might think. We lifted off the ground, and then we flew out over Interlaken. What a view! Absolutely amazing to see the city below with the winding green-blue rivers, and the high mountains all around. I was probably mostly holding the pilot fairly tightly, but I was definitely able to enjoy the flight!
After about ten minutes of flying, we landed safely on a large grass field in Interlaken. Many thanks to the great crew from Bumble Bee Hang Gliding for a fantastic experience!
Take a boat trip on Lake Brienz
After our hang gliding experience in Interlaken, it was nice to sit down for a beer and a bite to eat. Then we took a boat from Interlaken, and travelled towards Itselwald. A wonderful and beautiful boat trip on Lake Brienz!
Hiking along Lake Brienz
From Itselwald we walked on the marked trail along the lake, up to the waterfall in Giessbach. The hike took just over 1.5 hours, and it was a really nice hiking trail, with views of the lake and sometimes straight into the troll forest.
Experience Giessbach Waterfall
Finally, we arrived at the waterfall in Giessbach. The waterfall is really high, but is probably more rich in water in the spring. We took the cable car up a bit, and then walked the rest of the way to the small bridge that runs behind the waterfall.
Boat back to Brienz
Finally, we took a boat back from Giessbach to Brienz, and then walked to our campsite. A long and very eventful day!
Video from Interlaken, Switzerland
Peter has put together a film from Interlaken, Switzerland. Please check it out!
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Nils-Åke Hansson says:
It was tough for you to keep up with the gliders.
15 August 2018 - 7:45
Helena says:
Right? Lovely experience too! 🙂
15 August 2018 - 10:07
Laila MA - Rundt Ekvator says:
So cool with hang gliding 🙂 We tried to do it in Nepal this summer but the wind put an end to it. Otherwise, it looks like you had a great trip in Switzerland 🙂.
15 August 2018 - 7:46
Helena says:
Ah, not good with too much wind of course! But you will surely get another chance! And yes, we have a super nice trip here in Switzerland! 🙂
15 August 2018 - 10:09
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
What a wonderful day you had. First the flight which looks absolutely amazing and then the hike and boat ride! What wonderful pictures you offer!
It's the kind of day you think about when it's snowing softly across the country....
The closest I have come to paragliding is a booked tour in Crete that had to be cancelled due to strong winds. It is almost 25 years ago and there has been no new attempt.
15 August 2018 - 8:24
Helena says:
Yes, this was truly an amazing day! A day we will not forget! 🙂 Understand that it can be cancelled sometimes due to wind! Glad you thought to try 🙂
15 August 2018 - 10:10
4000mil says:
I have often thought that I would like to try this. But I only realise it on the spot at a destination when I see others flying. Then there is usually no time and air in the schedule "fast traveller" as you are now.
Glad you dared Helena! 🙂
15 August 2018 - 8:58
Helena says:
Haha, yes it can be tricky to be a "fast traveller" 😉 But the opportunity will surely come!!!!
15 August 2018 - 10:11
Christian says:
Wow, so much fun! Great to visit Interlaken in the summer, this is what it looked like last winter! https://www.matochresebloggen.se/2018/01/beatus-hotel-i-merligen.html
15 August 2018 - 9:58
Helena says:
It looked a bit more peaceful, but nice, in the winter! 🙂
15 August 2018 - 10:12
Ama de casa says:
Gosh... Well, what do you do for that motto "Everything for the blog"? 😉 But there somewhere at hang gliding is probably my limit. Tough of you to dare!
How incredibly beautiful it is in that hard-to-spell country! 😀
15 August 2018 - 10:05
Helena says:
Right? All for the blog is good for getting brave 🙂 The country is amazing!
15 August 2018 - 10:23
Monet says:
My God, you're tough! What an experience! And how fantastically beautiful Switzerland is. Everywhere!
15 August 2018 - 10:30
Helena says:
Yes, I felt quite tough! 🙂 And agree, Switzerland is magically beautiful!
15 August 2018 - 17:52
Steve says:
Strong of you Helena to venture out on a flight. I never doubted that Peter would fly. Now you can compare the experience based on the same experience. That's all.
It's amazing how much Switzerland has to offer.
15 August 2018 - 13:22
Helena says:
Switzerland certainly has a lot to offer! And yes, I felt brave! 🙂
15 August 2018 - 16:24
Lena - gott för själen says:
But what!? Did you try it too, Helena? It was unexpected! 😉
Wonderful environment. My goodness, watching the film sucked in my stomach.
Hug Lena
15 August 2018 - 14:32
Helena says:
Yes, it was a bit unexpected for me too, haha 😉 It sucked in the stomach to be up there too! 🙂
15 August 2018 - 16:25
Daniel@FinallyLost says:
Wow really brave of you! Talk about wanting to do the factor on the flight and that Helena did it?
Well done!!!
15 August 2018 - 15:20
Helena says:
Haha, thanks! ? I was a bit impressed with myself actually!
15 August 2018 - 16:26
Lennart says:
Brave to fly!
15 August 2018 - 16:07
Helena says:
Isn't it? 🙂 And lovely!
15 August 2018 - 16:29
Anta Snaque says:
Helena, brave person! Afraid of heights, but still going out into the blue. I am full of admiration.
I get dizzy at thresholds and carpet edges ... ?
15 August 2018 - 17:53
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Yes, it felt brave! It is possible to challenge yourself! 🙂
15 August 2018 - 22:50
BP says:
I'm impressed, really impressed! After this flight you have probably lost your fear of heights forever, I would guess. What pictures. I think I won't forget that day.
Silly question - who filmed you? Were there cameras on the hang glider?
The film was absolutely fantastic - WOW!
Switzerland certainly has something to offer everyone in summer and winter.
15 August 2018 - 20:46
Helena says:
Not a bad question at all! The Bumble Bee company has a Go Pro camera at the front of all their "flying machines" and films towards the flyers (and then you can buy the pictures). In addition, Peter brought his own Go Pro camera and attached it so that it filmed in the other direction, i.e. backwards.
15 August 2018 - 22:55
Anette says:
Lovely post, lots of nice pictures. Cool with the flight you look really professional ?
16 August 2018 - 18:12
Helena says:
Haha, I don't know about professional, but good that it looks like that anyway! 🙂
31 August 2018 - 14:40
Ninnie says:
Oh! Absolutely magically beautiful pictures from Switzerland!!! And what an experience to fly a hang glider... Bravely done! Would never have dared... almost get vertigo just by watching the film! 😉
16 August 2018 - 21:23
Helena says:
I didn't think I would dare, but then I did it anyway (made up my mind in the last five minutes) 🙂.
31 August 2018 - 14:41
TravelAnna says:
Wow, how brave Helena! Looks very lovely. Switzerland is really beautiful and you seem to be picking lots of goodies from everything there.
17 August 2018 - 8:19
Helena says:
Right? I felt brave 🙂 And yes, Switzerland is indeed magically beautiful!
31 August 2018 - 14:42
Johanna i Skåne says:
Wow, what an experience! Looks very nice and good that the start was not as dramatic as jumping off a cliff.
17 August 2018 - 9:28
Helena says:
If I had to jump off a cliff, I wouldn't have dared to do it ... But now it was a wonderful experience!
31 August 2018 - 14:42