Paragliding is the most lightweight form of free flight - a paraglider consists of a fabric wing with no rigid parts, and the pilot is suspended below in a harness. The pilot takes off from a hill, or from a tow launch.

The challenge of the sport lies in staying airborne using only the natural rising air currents (Thermals). Pilots regularly stay in the air for several hours, and on a good day can gain height and fly quite long distances - flying to 5-6000 feet and covering 50 - 100km is quite normal in the UK, while in hotter, dryer climates, much longer flights can be made.

Learning to fly a paraglider should be done under the care of an approved paragliding school.