Fethiye Paragliding

Fethiye Paragliding

Paragliding is similar to freefall parachuting. Instead of jumping from a plane, the person runs from a high slope and releases themselves into the air with a parachute. The parachute is ready on a sloping and high hill, and once the pilot starts running, the parachute fills with air and lifts them into the sky. The duration of the flight depends on the equipment used and the individuals performing the flight, and it can be done solo or in pairs. This sport has become very popular and widely enjoyed today. It is very easy to do, and anyone can try it.

Fethiye Paragliding

Fethiye is one of the most popular places for this sport in Turkey. The jumps take place from Babadağ mountain, located in the Fethiye district of Muğla province. Babadağ is 7 kilometers away from the seaside and is right behind the Ölüdeniz beach, offering a breathtaking view.

The flying season is typically between April and October. During these months, people can enjoy paragliding smoothly. If adverse weather conditions occur, paragliding is not carried out for safety reasons. Ölüdeniz paragliding is the first place in Turkey where this sport is practiced. This area, with its unique nature, hosts thousands of tourists every year. It is considered an unforgettable experience to try paragliding in this well-developed tourist center.

There are 3 landing sites on Babadağ for paragliding. These are the 1700-meter south landing, 1800-meter north landing, and the 1900-meter summit landing. The flights are carried out smoothly from each of these locations. The 1700-meter landing is most commonly used, as this site typically receives wind from the opposite side throughout the day. The landing site is large enough to deploy 20 wings at the same time.

The landing spot for the flight is Belcekız Beach, located at the coast of Ölüdeniz. The beach is very comfortable in terms of length and width and does not cause any issues for paragliders.

Babadağ remains the only place in Europe where paragliding is done from 1900 meters above sea level over the sea. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the summit of Babadağ from the hotel area. Paragliding is a very safe sport with minimal risks. It is one of the least problematic sports when compared to other sports. Every year, 100,000 people enjoy paragliding in the Ölüdeniz Babadağ area.

While paragliding in this region, the municipality has banned athletes from taking phones or similar items with them. This is because of previous incidents where objects might have fallen onto sunbathers below. However, videos are recorded with cameras mounted on the paraglider. This is optional. People who do not wish to record can experience the flight as a private moment.  Another important detail is the weight and height limits. The weight limit is 110 kg for men and 90 kg for women, and the height limit is 2 meters. Weight limits may vary, so it is important to obtain detailed information.

Paragliding can be done by people of all ages. The minimum age limit is 4. Individuals over the age of 4 can paraglide. People with excitement, panic attack problems, or who are pregnant are advised not to participate in paragliding due to safety reasons. Ölüdeniz paragliding flights typically last between 25 and 45 minutes, depending on the weather conditions of the day.