Why is the city of Belfast located in that particular position? From the right viewpoint, you can see that it sits on the banks of a powerful river, the Lagan and at the head of a large inlet of the sean, Belfast Lough, making it perfectly suited to shipbuilding and international trade. We all know that you get the best views by finding a place that’s elevated above its surroundings. To the north of the city, Knockagh Hill stands at almost 400 metres above sea level, providing sweeping views of the Northern Irish capital and the area around it. But you can go even higher than that, because this is just one of a number of great sites near Belfast where you can harness the winds and take flight, in a paraglider.

When you stop to think about it, this sport almost seems too good to be true. All the kit - the crescent shaped wing, ropes, harnesses - can be packed up to fit in a rucksack, and no power source other than the wind is required to get the craft airbourne and to soar across the sky. Of course, that also means that you can enjoy flying without the distraction of engine noise or exhaust fumes,and you can focus your attention on the panoramas that open up below you. And in the area around Belfast, you’re guaranteed some views that are pure fantasy, as many parts of Northern Ireland were used to represent the world of Westeros in the HBO series Game of Thrones. Alongside its simplicity, this activity comes with an attractive price tag compared to other forms of flying, so this is an adventure to be enjoyed again and again!

Where are the best places to go paragliding in Belfast?

• Knockagh: It’s not the easiest place to get a paraglider into the air, but this is the closest paragliding launch site to Belfast. Its prominent position led it being chosen as the location for a war monument in the aftermath of the First World War, and many people come here to pay their respects, and enjoy the views from this vantage point. But it also means that good winds can inflate the wing of a paraglider and carry the pilot into the air, to fly over the sea and the city.

• Big Collin: This hill is located near the town of Antrim. It’s not as high as Knockagh, but in the same way it’s its prominence, this time above a flat plain, that makes it good for flying. This is the best place to launch if you want to go flying above the largest lake in the British Isles. Some say that this lake was made by Northern Ireland’s most famous mythical figure, Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool), when the giant threw a piece of land across the Irish Sea. Others believe that it was created by a glacier during the last ice age. Whatever the truth is, it’s a sight to behold when seen from the air.

• Larne Hills: Travelling further North, you get to one the highest mountainous areas of Northern Ireland, the Larne Hills. On their sloping sides, there are many launch sites which allow you to catch the breeze from a number of different directions. Once you’re in the air, the world famous Giant’s Causeway, also attributed to Fionn mac Cumhaill, isn’t far away, and the distinctive pistol shape of Rathlin Island is visible across the sea.

• Portrush: It doesn’t take much more than an hour to drive from Belfast to the Atlantic coast of Northern Ireland, and the journey is well worth it. Soaring over the seaside town of Portrush under the wing of a paraglider is a real treat. As well as the thrills of unpowered flight, you’ll enjoy views of the rocky skerries that lie off the coast, glimpses of the Giant’s Causeway, and a good look at the famous Dunluce Links at Portrush Golf Course.

How long does this activity last?

- The idea of using what is a essentially a large, specialised kite to take off from a hilltop, often near steep cliffs, and start flying might seem a bit out of reach, but that’s jo cause for concern, because you’re first flight will almost certainly be in the company of one of Northern Ireland’s best paragliding pilots. In what’s known as a tandem flight, you’ll essentially be a passenger in your own harness but suspended by the same wing as the pilot. They’ll be in charge of everything, from choosing the location for your flight in this area, to preparing the equipment, to actually piloting the aircraft. All they ask from you is a bit of help when launching and landing. One of these flights lasts around 45 minutes, in which time you could cover over 15 miles in the right conditions.

- Okay, you’re probably thinking, but what if I want to fly a paraglider myself? Well, thanks once again to those fantastic pilots, paraglider training is also on offer near Belfast. It takes a full day course to gain the knowledge and skills to get a paraglider into the air, but if you want to become a flight master, with an Elementary Pilot Certificate, you need to complete a training programme that lasts 4 days, and includes multiple flights as well as some studying.

Requirements to do this activity

You have to wait until you’re 17 to drive a car, but flying? In Belfast, it’s an option from the day you turn 14. That’s right - you can start learning how to fly a paraglider before getting behind the wheel of a car. You don’t need to be incredibly physically strong, but some fitness is required to get the equipment ready at the launchsite and work with and against air currents after take off. To be a passenger in a tandem flight you need to be 18 years old and the only physical requirements are that you can run downhill for a couple of steps with your pilot as they get you airborne, and that your weight is between 5 and 17 stone, that’s 32 and 100 kilograms.

It’s not hard to get a totally new perspective on the region. You just need to click the book button, and let us organise this experience for you.