The Grand Swiss Adventure: 5 Extreme Sports to Beat the Summer Heat

“I like all the adventure sports but I like to do them in a safe way.”

This was me, before I went on my thrilling winter sports adventure across the Swiss Alps. After that, I transformed in to this adventure buff and then there was no stopping me during summers too. I decided to push the limit and find innovative ways to beat the heat.  As it turned out, Switzerland is a mecca for those willing to take risks and live life on the edge. So are you game for some extreme summer fun?

Via Ferrata

Via Ferrata, or ‘iron road’, is an Italian term for climbing routes that include steel cables and iron rungs for support. If rock climbing is too easy a sport for you, wait till you start ascending the steep terrains from Mürren to Gimmelwald.

I felt like one of the soldiers in World War I who tackled these difficult routes in Switzerland and neighbouring countries. Once the 3 hour climb was over, the picturesque landscape of Bernese Alps transported me to a wonderland. Quite a sweet reward for a strenuous climb, don’t you think?

Bungee Jumping

Acting in a James Bond film might be a faraway dream but leaping off the famous 720 feet high Contra Dam in Ticino is not. Dare to push your limits a la James Bond style in GoldenEye and feel the exhilarating rush for a whopping 7.5 seconds!

Sounds insane right? Well, it surely feels that way standing at the edge of the bungee jump station. Pray all you want beforehand but when the time comes to jump, you just do it. This stunt is a potent mix of action and adventure, so take the dizzying dive and experience your Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara moment.

Fixed Rope Course

Living on the edge takes on a new meaning when you dare to walk on a rope in mid-air, with mountains and lakes far below. Truth be told, the idea took me a while to digest, even though I knew I would be secured to a steel cable with climbing gear.

But I could not shy away from something this challenging and headed to Brunnihütte, accessible via cable car and chairlift from Engelberg via Ristis. In that hour and half, the rigorous rope course wiped out whatever fear I had and left me oozing with confidence!

Pendulum Jumping

As a child, I loved watching a pendulum swing and often wondered what it would be like to fly that way. On my trip across Switzerland, I discovered there is an adventure sport known as pendulum jumping that allows you to soar majestically above the azure blue waters in Gruyère.

A little more risky than bungee jumping, this form has caught the attention of many adventure buffs. Only three jumps are allowed to master the art of swinging like a pendulum. It’s crazy, undoubtedly, but in the end that’s what extreme sports is all about!

Fighter Jets

Remember the movie Top Gun? Everyone fell in love with the character Maverick, and the fleet of fighter jets whooshing in the sky at supersonic speeds. Forget you are a civilian and step aboard a military aircraft. Choose from the likes of MiG-29, MiG-31, L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter that take off from Sion, just an hour and half away from Geneva, and enjoy the golden chance to perform stunning maneuvers.

Loops between ridges, Lake Geneva far below and Mont Blanc towering ahead – with all this, you will be mighty proud for having been a pilot for a day!

From hair-raising winter tales to summer escapades, adventure took on a new meaning for me in Switzerland. With the grand Swiss adventure, I took a chance at living the bold way and discovered a new side to me. With so many experiences awaiting you, when are you taking the road less travelled? Book your tickets to Switzerland today, and start living the adventure called life!