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Intro

The Aare Route follows the river from the small glacier lake on the Grimselpass until it joins the Rhine. After a racy stretch down the pass road, it passes the Aareschlucht (gorge) and deep lakes on the way to the Mittelland region.

Detour / Closure

There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/veloland/route8

Description

From the Grimsel Pass, the Aare Route traces the course of the mighty river until it joins the Rhine in Koblenz. Spectacular views aside, there is so much to see
on the stretch between Meiringen and Solothurn – first up the breathtaking Aare Gorge, then the legendary Giessbach Falls and finally Interlaken, birthplace of Swiss tourism. Discovering the Aare in 
a dinghy from Thun to Bern is an adventure in itself. Bern’s UNESCO-listed
 Old Town is another highlight, then it is on to the fertile shores of Lake Biel, where you can pause for a refreshing dip at some wonderful bathing spots. After Lake Biel, the Aare is your constant companion. The rural and peaceful Mittelland is always nearby and nature not far off in Switzerland’s most densely populated belt and along the Aare; Switzerland’s backyard is extremely exciting.

Highlights

  • The Grimsel Pass, reservoirs and power stations set amidst icy green-grey granite mountains
  • Meiringen, Aare Gorge
  • Thun, dinghy ride on the Aare and Thun Castle
  • Bern, UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Bern
  • Sutz-Lattrigen, bathing in Lake Biel
  • Altreu, “European Stork Village”
  • Habsburg Castle, the imposing 11th-century double castle
  • Turgi, the water castle at the confluence of the Aare, Reuss and Limmat and its meadow landscape


Public transportation combination offer
Lake Thun is perfect for a boat trip. For example, it’s worth covering the stretch from Interlaken West to Thun by boat. A bike tour can also be combined with a boat trip on Lake Brienz. It’s worth taking your bike with you here as well because, one of the area’s top sights is one the way: Giessbach Falls.

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Oberwald (Gletsch)
Destination
Koblenz
Ascent
2600 m
Descent
4000 m
Distance
315 km
Distance on tarred ways
248 km
Distance on natural surface
67 km
Multiday route
7 days
Physical requirements
Medium
Theme
Along Water, Over a pass
Signalization
Signalisation in both directions
More information https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/veloland/route8

All stages

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

No. 8
Stages: 7

Distance

315 km

Ascent

2600 m