Aareschlucht - everything you need to know for your visit

7 Highlights in the Aare Gorge

• The Aare Gorge is up to 180 m deep and one meter wide at the narrowest point
• The gorge is well developed with paths over a length of 1.4 km. There are two entrances: in the east and in the west of the Aare Gorge.
• Between the west entrance and the middle of the gorge, the path is passable with a wheelchair or narrow stroller.
• In midsummer, the paths in the gorge are illuminated every Friday and Saturday evening, creating a mystical atmosphere.
• The Aare Gorge carries clear greenish-blue water and has a 25 m deep waterfall.
• Along the way, panels provide information about the geology, flora and fauna of the region.
• At the east entrance you will find a restaurant and a children's playground.

In any case, the Aare Gorge is a unique natural wonder in Switzerland and a must for nature lovers and photographers.

What awaits you in the Aare Gorge

The Aare Gorge has two entrances, located on the western and eastern side. You can enter the gorge through both entrances, although the eastern entrance is only available from around mid-May.

The Aare river overcomes hollows, grottos and steep rocky slopes. The gorge is considered a place of power. On boardwalks and through short tunnels in the limestone, the core of the gorge is very accessible. Between the center of the gorge and the western entrance, the path is very suitable for wheelchair and stroller. Other trails are partly gravel and partly asphalt. Dogs are allowed on a short leash and do not have to pay an entrance fee.

Since all the footbridges are well secured by steel girders, families can also visit the Aare Gorge without hesitation. Multilingual information boards along the way provide information about the gorge, its formation, geology and hydropower.

For the hike through the Aare Gorge you need about 45 minutes. The way back can also be done outside the gorge on a signposted path. This will take you about an hour.

Alternatively, you can take the Zentralbahn Meiringen-Innertkirchen back. This train runs parallel to the gorge. The train stop "Aareschlucht West" is about 10 minutes walk from the west entrance. The train station "Aareschlucht Ost" is also only a 10-minute walk from the east entrance, but here you have to climb steps. The train ride is part of the entrance fee to the gorge.

Swiss Activities Tip: Children can always look out for a representative of the large Tatzelwurm family on the way. They hide everywhere. in 1935 a photographer brought a photo of a Tatzelwurm: 80 cm long and 25 cm wide. Since then, the Tatzelwurm legend has also been firmly linked to the Aare Gorge. Since a few years there is a special "path to the Tatzelwurm family" for 4 to 10 year old children. Children's books about the story can be bought at the main entrance West.

Opening hours Aareschlucht

You can visit the Aare Gorge only in summer between the beginning of April and the end of October. The opening hours of the gates are different:

gate	open from - to
West Gate	early April to late October
East Gate	around mid-May until the end of October

During this period the following opening hours apply:

date	time
April to mid-June	08:30 - 17:30
mid-June to mid-September	08:30 - 18:30
Mid September to end of October	08:30 - 17:30

Evening lighting is turned on during midsummer on the following days/times: Friday and Saturday from the end of June to the end of August from 18:30 - 22:00.

During this time, the Aare Gorge is illuminated in its western part. On these evenings, therefore, only the west entrance is open. You can then walk the illuminated path to the large sand and gravel banks of the Aare and back. The remaining part is not accessible in the evening.

Restaurants and playground at the Aare Gorge

The west entrance of the Aareschlucht is east of Meiringen and counts as the main entrance. There is a large parking lot, a nice children's playground and a restaurant here. Tour buses also park here.

The Aareschlucht restaurant serves self-service Swiss dishes. Hot and cold dishes, salad buffet, patisserie and Swiss specialties to take away can be found here. A large outdoor terrace offers a good view of the children's playground.

At the playground the little ones are greeted by the wooden figures "Citronella and Tatzi". Citronella "informs" the families here as well as at the east entrance about the Tatzelwurm family. The Tatzelwurm trail will take you and your little ones about 1:00 - 1:30 hours. On the way you can find the five Tatzelwurm, which consists of father, mother and the three children Titzi, Tetz and Tatzi.

There is also something to eat at the East Entrance. A bistro attracts near Innertkirchen with its sun terrace. The view from here goes directly to the Alps of the Bernese Oberland.

How to get to the Aareschlucht

You can get to the Aareschlucht very easily from Interlaken and Luzern, both by car and by public transport.

By public transport

By public transport it takes you almost two hours from Lucerne. You come via Meiringen and from there you can take the Zentralbahn to the west or east station of the Aareschlucht.

From the stations of the Zentralbahn you need about 10 minutes by foot. To get to the east entrance of the Aare Gorge you have to climb stairs.

To the east entrance you can use the stops "Alpbach" or "Aareschlucht Ost". The access from the stop "Aareschlucht West" leads to the west entrance of the Aareschlucht.

By car

From Lucerne you need about one hour by car via the A8 freeway. From Interlaken you can reach the Aareschlucht in half an hour, also via the A8.

Who is the Aareschlucht suitable for?

The Aare Gorge is a special experience for all nature lovers and should be high on the bucket list. Especially for families, but also for school classes and bus excursions. Day trippers from Interlaken or Lucerne like to come here and combine the excursion with other natural attractions in the Bernese Oberland. For example, this excursion can be well combined with a visit to the Reichenbach Falls.

Visitors with limited mobility and families with strollers must visit the Aare Gorge from the west entrance and come about halfway along the entire trail.

The Aare Gorge is a breathtaking gorge formed by the power of water over many millennia. A visit will let you experience a unique atmosphere, characterized by the high rock walls and the sound of the water.