Turkey Property | Sport in Turkey | Paragliding in Turkey

Paragliding in Turkey

Turkey's mountainous terrain combined with sunny, clear skies makes it one of the best spots in world for paragliding in Turkey.

The sport in Turkey, which has evolved steadily since the 1940s, is simple - one attaches a large parachute to their back and jumps off a mountain into the great blue. Controls allow for a freefall descent whilst taking in the beautiful scenery below.

One of the most popular spots for paragliding in Turkey, at least with Britons, is Olu Deniz, which as been described as a "paragliding paradise" due to its proximity to Mediterranean, Aegean and mountains. Yet despite this allure, it is a quiet town lacking the hubbub of the bazaars, which many find allows them to concentrate on the sport in Turkey, though for those looking for morel life it is only half an hour away.

With the best time for the sport occurring between April and November, Olu Deniz, which is located near to Fethiye, attracts scores of thrill-seekers looking to see Turkey in a unique way. One thing that attracts many is that the town has three take-off sites in different compass direction which means that one can soar whatever the wind-direction. One can then soar to the beach or head to the mountains for thermals which give lift like a glider, sending the pilot higher.

Kas is also another popular destination to go paragliding in Turkey. This ancient southern Turkish town, paragliders are sent to the nearby Asaz Mountain to take off and soar. However, it is not just the coastal regions that allow paragliding, a sport which has become more popular in Turkey since the 1990s.

The capital Ankara has a training hill less than 20 miles from it while the city of Bolu has the Abant Mountains which also caters for paragliders, though of course, popular destinations such as Anatalya also have paragliding operators.

Whichever site one chooses, all paragliding facilities will have professional pilots and modern, internationally recognised equipment to ensure that the experience is both fun and safe. The age group allowed to paraglide is between 16 and 55 and weight limits are between 40kg and 130kg and it is not recommended for people with certain heart and breathing conditions.

Neophytes need not be worried either. Tandem flights are given to those new to paragliding in Turkey so that one goes with a professional pilot to ensure that the flight proceeds safely. The pilot can also point out notable features and sites and many people so love the activity that they return again and again, many to take out a professional pilot licence so that they can go it alone. Izmir and other cities have courses one can go on to obtain this licence, which will allow further opportunities to get the most out of this sport. Many do - after all, where else can you engage in an activity that allows you to fly with equipment so small it fits into a backpack?

Turkey property owners and visitors can enjoy this exhilarating sport in Turkey.