Paragliding over Bariloche: flying above Lake Nahuel Huapi

Bariloche is known from the road, from the water and from the mountains. What is missing is seeing it from above, and the quietest way to do that is by paraglider.

Tandem flights usually take off from Cerro Otto. You go to the base, at kilometer 5 of Avenida de los Pioneros, and from there you are driven up to the launch area; depending on the wind, takeoff is from the north side or, after a walk of about ten minutes, from the west. After a few running steps down the slope, the paraglider lifts off the ground and the flight begins. It lasts between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on conditions, and ends at the foot of the hill.

People who are afraid of heights are often surprised: since there is no wall beneath your feet, there is no vertical reference, and it feels more like floating than falling. Pilots say they have flown with 7-year-old children and with people in their 80s.

Keep in mind that the wind decides. For a safe tandem flight it cannot exceed 20 or 22 kilometers per hour, and flights are called off on windy days. They run all year round, weather permitting. Cerro Catedral is another option, but it requires a hike of about two hours carrying the equipment.

A tip: always choose pilots with a municipal license and insurance, and book with a few days to spare in case the wind has the last word.

A different way to discover a landscape you thought you already knew.

• Type of tour: Adventure
• Difficulty level: Low for the passenger (no previous experience needed); weather-dependent
• Tip: Warm clothing and closed-toe shoes; check the forecast and keep a spare day.