Are you in Switzerland? I bet there’s no better way to experience nature than visiting Aare Gorge and enjoying a canyon walk in Meiringen – the closest town to Aare Gorge!
For anyone who loves to get soaked in the wilderness, visiting this Canyon would be like a dream come true.
If you don’t know much about the Aare Gorge, let me guide you in planning your trip to the natural wonder and what you should expect from there. Gear up and scroll below!
What is the Aare Gorge Canyon?
Aare Gorge Canyon is an impressive Gorge to walk through. It’s a beautiful, inexpensive, and love-worthy place that gives way to the river Aare to pass it through its heart.
It’s been more than a few thousand years since the Aare River eroded its way and formed a path through the rock formation and limestone cliffs. The gorge is approximately 1,400 meters long and up to 200 meters deep.
Aare goes by this impressive gorge at a whopping speed of 12km/h, making splashes and quenching the thirst for lush greens of the Haslital Valley in the Central Alps. The place is an attraction for every traveler who wants to enjoy the most out of their Switzerland trip. Furthermore, Aare Gorge Canyon lets you experience geology and glaciology in one go!
You can access the gorge by a safe system of paths and tunnels.
The picturesque location has two entrances – an eastern and a western entrance. These getaways have ticket counters, small restaurants, and souvenir shops, a complete package to entertain every visitor who stops by the gorge.
As you travel along the Canyon’s paths, you’ll be amazed at how nature takes turns and twists and forms the magnificent courses.
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The best part about the Aare Gorge? The attraction is not only disability-friendly but is also dog-friendly. So no matter if you are a traveler with some disability or can’t leave your doggo behind, you can enjoy the stroll at the gorge without any worries. Most Aare Gorge visitors love to tread through the whole gorge and return to their starting point by walking again. However, if you are a lazy bone and don’t prefer walking, you can opt for a train to get back to your point of origin.
Getting to Aare River Gorge
By now, you have had your camera and your heart set to make memories and capture some beautiful pictures of the Aare Gorge. Right?
Let me throw a bit of light on how you can get to Aare Gorge to decide what option would be the most suitable for your trip.
Public Transportation
It’s much more convenient to reach the Aare Gorge by using public transportation than getting there by driving yourself and fiddling with other car-related hassles. You can reach Meiringen by train. Then change the train and reach either side of the gorge by any of the two train stations – Aareschlucht West or Aareschlucht Ost. And walk to the park entrance.
The walking distance to the park by each train station is as follows:
- Aareschlucht West: 500m away from the west gorge entrance
- Aareschlucht Ost: 250m away from the east gorge entrance
Aare Gorge Parking
The other option for reaching the Aare Gorge is to drive your car there. If you decide to go there by driving yourself, you’ll have to decide which entrance you would like to access the gorge from. And then you’ll take the route accordingly.
For example…If you want to reach the west entrance, you’d simply drive towards Meiringen and keep following the signs that lead you towards the Aareschlucht. The address to the west entrance of Aare Gorge is Aareschluchtstrasse, 3860 Schattenhalb.
The cherry on the top? There you’ll find generous parking outside the gorge to park your car.
Inversely, if you plan to reach the park’s eastern entrance, which is located at, 3862 Innertkirchen, Switzerland, you’ll find a limited parking space.
Opening Hours
- Beginning May – Mid June: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Mid June – Mid September: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
- Mid September – Beginning October: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Seasons
- Aare Gorge west entrance: April – November
- Aare Gorge east entrance: May – November
- When both entrances are open, visitors can pass through the entire length of the gorge.
Evening Lighting
Fridays and Saturdays between July and End of August, from 6:30 pm to 10 pm (access from west entrance)
Ticket Price Canyon Walk
| Entrance Aareschlucht | CHF |
| Individuals | 10.00 |
| Children under 6 years | free |
| Children 6 – 16 years | 6.50 |
| Combined tickets with a visit to Reichenbach Falls | CHF |
| Individuals | 18.00 |
| Children aged 6 to 16 | 13.00 |
Discounts
- Individual visitors traveling by public transport benefit from a discount on the price of admission.
- Guest passes from Jungfrau Region Tourismus AG, Interlaken Tourismus, Brienz Tourismus, Obwalden Tourismus (20%): Adults CHF 8 and children CHF 4.80
Aare Gorge and Reichenbach Falls
Your visit to Aare Gorge can’t be complete unless you double up the fun by adding up the visit to Reichenbach Falls.
Yes, you guessed it right. It’s the same waterfall that Sherlock Holmes mentioned in his famous book “The Final Problem.” The thundering water, a good height of 120m, impressive views, and the fictional value of Reichenbach Falls attract the visitors like a magnet.
If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, this place is a must-visit. No second thoughts about that.
Final Thoughts
This is how you can have a perfect holiday – just take a walk around the Aare Gorge.
Aare Gorge is the most incredible and mystical Canyon I have ever seen. The breathtaking views amongst the wild nature are unmissable, and the unique experience of exploring a natural wonder is well worth your time!
