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Paragliding on Babadağ

Having a holiday in the dreamland of Ölüdeniz means more than only swimming and lying next to the pool. Thanks to paragliding you can view this wonder of nature from 1975 metres above, before slowly descending. From this height you are not only looking at Patara Beach and Dalaman but also in clear weather you can see the island of Rhodes. There are agencies that organise paragliding with outlets at Ölüdeniz. You have to book a day ahead or in the morning to be able to take off into the air.

After a bit of training in the morning, in theory by experienced pilots, you are driven by jeep to the 1,700 metres high point on Babadağ (Father Mountain), your take off point. The road to that point is 25 kilometres long and is tough and rough and the trip up takes 50 minutes.

If the wind is not convenient at this level, you move another 200 metres up to summit at 1,900 metres. You put on your full body suit and helmet. Then you sit in the harness that is linked to the parachute and pilot. With the pilot pulling on the parachute it begins to fill, you run for a few steps, rise into the air and you are flying. 

Once you start gliding in the air you feel an excitement but this is combined with the joy of the enchanting scenery, encompassing St. Nicholas Island, Ölüdeniz, Gemile Cove and Kumburnu. In order to be able to keep this extraordinary experience and the incomparable scene alive forever you should not forget to take along a camera or a video camera.

The adventure of flight that goes on with its minor ups and downs last about 30 minutes according to the wind.

The experienced pilots can go as high as 3,500 metres and their flying times can last about five hours. Wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sports shoes are recommended.

Babadağ and Ölüdeniz have drawn so many paragliders to the area that it is now the venue for a paragliding championship, with the International Air Games staged in Ölüdeniz taking place in October every year.

What about safety or risks and dangers? The facilities that teach or provide paragliding services have to have the Tourism Sportive Activities Certificate issued by the Turkish Tourism Ministry. All pilots have to have certificates of flying experience. Up till now, thousands of people have flown. The accounts of accidents are so low as to be almost zero.

Paragliding Companies:
Aventura Tel: 0252 617 03 14
Easy Riders Tel: 0252 617 01 14
Focus Tourism Tel: 0252 617 04 01
Sportif Havacılık (Ikarus) Travel Agency
Tel: 0252 617 00 18