5 Wonderful Destinations You Can Paraglide in Türkiye
People come to Türkiye to visit lots of extraordinary places and enjoy many wonderful activities. Recently, paragliding has become one of the most famous activities that draws visitors to Türkiye.
Paragliding is an activity for all seasons and all year round. Whether on your summer or winter vacation in Türkiye, you can experience a dizzying view of the outstanding crystal-clear sea, the exceptional green areas, and the stunning snow everywhere from 1800 meters up.
What is Paragliding?
Paragliding is an air sport consisting of a free parachute or a foot-launched inflatable wing to run off the slopes. It is one of the most enjoyable activities to experience in Türkiye.
If you’re an adrenaline enthusiast, willing to try new things and experience unforgettable moments, paragliding will be the best activity for you. Türkiye has many remarkable landscapes you can watch from a bird’s eye view that can totally amaze you.
Do You Need a License to Fly a Paraglider?
In essence, paragliding is a self-regulated sport, but to fly a paraglide by yourself in Türkiye, you need a P3 license, which is an intermediate pilot certification approved by the Turkish Aeronautics Association and the International Aviation Federation.
Training programs are available for 30 days to obtain the P3 license for paragliding. In this training, you will practice 50 flights in order to improve your take-off and landing skills.
Modern paragliders are extremely safe to fly with a certified pilot. If you’re on a visit to Türkiye, you will be accompanied by a well-trained and certified pilot to fly with.
What Equipment is Needed for Paragliding?
To paraglide, you need several safety equipment to fly as the wrong equipment can put the pilot in danger. Therefore, you will need the paraglider itself with a helmet, harness, and reserve paraglider.
Other equipment is optional to take with you. For the best paragliding experience, you need a GoPro, which is a small camera with high quality to take exertional photos and video from your point of view. Other equipment is optional to take, like flying suits, special boots, gloves, and sunglasses.
Where are The Best Places for Paragliding in Türkiye?
You can find quite a lot of outstanding destinations with great views for paragliding. Here is a brief list of the most unique places for paragliding in Türkiye.
Ölüdeniz (Fethiye) – Muğla
When it comes to paragliding in Türkiye, Ölüdeniz in Fethiye is the first destination to come to mind. After a hike on the Babadağ mountain, flying over 2000 meters to land directly on Ölüdeniz beach is a dream come true. You can take in the dazzling view of the turquoise sea and green lush forest. Paragliding in Fethiye is one of the most popular activities that should be on all adventure enthusiasts’ bucket list.
Kaş – Antalya
Flying between the mountain slopes that are covered with pristine greenery, you will enjoy one of the most amazing views over the Kaş area in Antalya. It is a unique opportunity to see the peaks of the mountains and land in Kaş harbour.
Abant – Bolu
Paragliding in Abant, nestled within the stunning Abant Mountains just 34 km south of Bolu city centre, offers an exhilarating experience amidst breathtaking natural beauty. Accessible via a scenic 25 km asphalt road winding through dense rainforests, Abant Lake serves as the perfect launchpad for paragliders. The surrounding hillsides, particularly near Örencik Plateau, provide ample take-off runways with expansive grass-covered plains. With its rich plant cover and serene atmosphere, Abant Lake attracts visitors year-round, offering opportunities for picnics in the summer and winter sports in the colder months. Paragliders can soar above this picturesque landscape, marvelling at the lush greenery below and relishing the adrenaline rush of flight against the backdrop of the Abant Mountains.
Bozdağ Highlands – İzmir
Bozdağ highlands in İzmir is one of the top places in Türkiye for paragliding. Enjoying the incredible İzmir views below with the clear sea and green areas, paragliding is done on Akçakmak and Güldalan hills of Bozdağ highlands over 130 meters high. This is the perfect destination for paragliding beginners.
Pamukkale – Denizli
The airstrip, which takes its name from an old dynamite warehouse located on the hill, is 300 meters high. The slope has a large area where two parachutes can easily take off. It is at the point where you can see all the beauty of Pamukkale. Here, you can enjoy 25 minutes of unforgettable flight. While landing can be done on land at the end of the flight track, safe landings can also be made on the helipad at the entrance of the travertines.
Paragliding in Türkiye is not only about adrenaline and adventure; it's also an opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the country's diverse landscapes from a unique perspective. Whether you're a seasoned pilot or a first-time flyer, Türkiye offers an unforgettable paragliding experience that will leave you breathless in more ways than one. So, strap in, spread your wings, and embark on an unforgettable aerial adventure in the heart of Türkiye.