Two paragliders with colorful canopies soar high above a picturesque landscape featuring fields, villages, and mountains under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The view from above captures the vast expanse of green and the winding roads below.

Paragliding in the Dolomites Italy: Complete Guide

ByKristine

If you’re wondering if tandem paragliding in the Dolomites is worth it, the short answer is – yes, most definitely.

Seeing these wonderful mountains from the top is, to be fair, quite a unique experience.

And even if you’re afraid of heights – I am, and the people who I was flying with were as well -, it still feels safe. The pilots are skilled and they make sure that you feel safe and secure. And they don’t do more than you can take.

I personally went paragliding in the Kronplatz holiday region, which is basically flying between the Dolomites and the Alps. The view from the glider is so incredible!

So let me tell you all you need to know about paragliding.

This post might contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase anything via them, we might earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. Check our disclaimer policy for more information.

Tandem Paragliding – general info

Three people on a grassy hilltop in the Dolomites, preparing for a paragliding adventure. The adults are wearing helmets and harnesses, smiling at the camera. The child, whose face is blurred, is holding onto one adult. A ski lift structure and a few people are in the background.
Prepared for the flight!

In the Dolomites, the tandem paragliding is basically jumping off a mountain with a pilot and a glider behind you.

The flights happen both in the summer and in the winter.

There are also different lengths – the shorter flights can be as little as 15 minutes and the longest – more than an hour. Depending on your choice, they can be beginner-friendly or more technical.

It’s for people of all ages – even kids can go! The kid needs to be at least 15kg heavy for that. The flight for them is shorter. In our opinion, just make sure your kid will properly enjoy and understand the flying part. Since I was going for a flight, Emma wanted to, too, but we decided that she was just too young for it (she was 5 years old at the time).

Where to go tandem paragliding in the Dolomites?

Two individuals are tandem paragliding high above a picturesque landscape of green fields, roads, and buildings in the Dolomites. Both are wearing helmets and harnesses; the back person is holding a selfie stick to capture the moment. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, and mountains are visible in the distance.

There are companies that provide tandem flights all over the Dolomites. I personally went paragliding in Kronplatz, as that’s where we were staying. If you go in winter for a ski holiday, you can add paragliding to your skiing plans, as Kronplatz is one of the best ski resorts in the Dolomites!

If one of us goes again, we’d probably do Seceda – there’s Gardenafly, for example, that does flights in Seceda among other places. Alpe di Siusi – Seiser Alm or Tre Cime di Lavaredo seem like interesting places, too.

Check out the different companies, where they’re located, and what flights they offer. The most popular ones are Gardenafly , Tandemflights Kronplatz, and Fly2.

Is it safe?

Two people are tandem paragliding high in the sky with a red paraglider. They are wearing helmets, harnesses, and sunglasses, soaring above a landscape of green hills under a blue sky scattered with white clouds. Paragliding in the Dolomites, they appear to be enjoying the adventure immensely.

Paragliding is as safe as any other adventure experience – as you know, no one can guarantee complete safety. But overall, yes, it’s safe.

The pilots are usually experienced paragliders and know what needs to be done. The ones in the company that I used had 15 years of experience – and my pilot Chris was actually born in the area. He pointed his house out for me from up in the air!

They’re aware of the winds and the weather conditions. The company I flew with sent me a message with all the info I needed to know, and one of the things mentioned was that the flight could be cancelled if the weather didn’t cooperate.

Lucky for me, though, the weather was perfect for a paragliding flight! There was a blue sky and great wind, and it wasn’t really too hot or too cold.

I’m actually really terrified of heights. Up to the very point that I got my gear on I didn’t believe that I’ll be doing this. But honestly, once I was up in the air, it felt incredibly safe. You’re basically sitting on a chair with a person strapped behind you – in a way, it felt like watching a movie in a cinema.

How to prepare?

Two people are paragliding in the Dolomites over a lush forest, with one person wearing a blue helmet and the other a red helmet. They are tandem paragliding, with the instructor in the rear. Both have their arms outstretched, and a scenic landscape of trees and hills is visible below.

One good way to prepare is, of course, to read information about the flights and how they happen.

Read the reviews of the company that you’d like to choose and all the information that’s available on the website.

Watching videos from flights is a good idea, too.

If you still have questions, the best way to get answers is to actually write to the company that you’ve chosen – or call them.

What to expect from the tandem flight? How does it go?

A vibrant landscape showcasing green fields in the foreground and majestic mountains in the background beneath a partly cloudy sky. The mountains are partially covered in trees and have patches of snow, with a ski lift visible on one of the slopes—an ideal spot for tandem paragliding in the Dolomites.
Our lunch site

First, you go to the meeting point where the basic information on the flight is given to you. Some companies offer pickups from the hotel, others don’t – find this info out on the website!

Then, there’s a cable car up to the take-off point on the mountain. Sometimes, you need to walk or hike a bit for the launch spot.

Then, you get your gear on – helmet and harness. Sometime around this time, the pilot will prepare the glider, too. When everything is on and ready, the pilot straps you to him so that you’re safe.

And then the main thing happens – the launch! At first, you walk quickly, and then, when the glider picks up, you run – continuing running a bit even after you’re up in the air. A bit of foot power, so to say.

The harness then tightens around you and you basically end up sitting in a comfy soft seat.

Then, during the flight, all you really need to do is sit peacefully and enjoy the ride. If you’re up to it, the pilot might do a little bit of acrobatics. But if you say no, don’t worry, they won’t do it.

The landing is much easier than I thought, too. Just keep your legs up so that the pilot can land. The touchdown is quite soft and you might need to walk a bit until the glider goes down.

And that’s it! There’s quite a bit of adrenaline involved, but really, the flight itself is surprisingly not that scary.

What to wear?

A woman in sunglasses smiles at the camera, wearing a purple jacket. Next to her, a man in a black shirt and shorts is bent over, packing a blue and black bag. They are outdoors on a grassy area with patches of small white flowers, preparing for tandem paragliding in the Dolomites under sunny weather.
Happy after the landing

The company that I went paragliding with – Tandemflights Kronplatz – says to wear the same clothes that you’d wear if going hiking. So basically, wear pants, running or hiking shoes, and a jacket. It can get a bit cold in the high altitude. In the summer, you don’t need really warm clothes, but in the winter, make sure to have your scarf and gloves.

And make sure to have sunglasses or glasses on – the wind can be quite unkind to eyes during the flight.

All of the companies that I’ve checked provide helmets and harnesses.

What to take with you?

Two people are tandem paragliding in the Dolomites over a scenic landscape featuring green fields, a small town, and mountains in the distance. The individuals wear helmets and safety gear, with colorful parachute lines extending above them. One person is holding a selfie stick to capture the moment.
The blue bag had a space for my little backpack.

Tandemflights Kronplatz has a bit of a place in the glider where you can put a small backpack, so I made sure to take a bottle of water and my wallet (with ID, health insurance card, and payment card) with me.

Otherwise, really, you need just your clothes and the confirmation of the purchased flight.

Can you have your camera with you?

Two people are tandem paragliding on a sunny day over the scenic landscape of green fields, hills, and a small village in the Dolomites. They are wearing helmets and harnesses, and both appear to be enjoying the experience, with one holding a selfie stick to capture the moment.
Tandemflights Kronplatz, and most other companies, provide GoPro images and videos after the flight

There are companies that do allow you to take your own pictures of the flight. You just need to have the camera or the phone attached to yourself – so that you don’t lose it.

I personally didn’t take any pictures, as the company provided high-quality GoPro images and videos to me. On the one hand, I wish I had taken my own pictures, too, but on the other hand, I was too afraid of losing my phone during the flight.

Last thoughts about tandem paragliding Dolomites

I enjoyed my tandem paragliding in the Dolomites quite a lot. It was a lot less scary than I thought it would be – and I have quite a paralyzing fear of heights! But the sense of freedom is quite intoxicating.

So if you’re wondering if to do it, my answer would be yes, definitely. It’s a fantastic experience.

Do you have any more questions? Let me know in the comments or drop me an email! Or you can join my facebook group as well – I’ll be happy to answer them.

Found this article helpful? Share it on Pinterest!

Tandem Paragliding in the Dolomites | All you need to know about paragliding Dolomites - where to do it, what to expect, and more! | dolomites travel | dolomites italy
Paragliding the Dolomites Italy | wondering where to go paragliding in the Dolomites Italy? I share my experience - and give you info on all you need to know! | italy paragliding | what to wear paragliding|

Similar Posts