My apologies for doing two separate posts. Has anyone here done a float down the Aare River?
I think we'd be into it, but the logistics are unclear -- where do we leave our belongings? Particularly if we are not staying in Bern? Do people leave a towel or two where they plan on exiting and then hike up to the dunking spot?
What's best time of year to do it? We would be going approx 1 July.
Thank you!
The Bern river float was the highlight of one of our vacations to Switzerland. The best way to decide where to enter and exit the river is by following the locals. There are a lot of signs showing where to get in and out. Eichholz to Marzili (the swimming complex with lockers) is a popular stretch, but we did our float around Altenbergsteg, which was an area where surfers tie their board and try to stay on the longest, almost like riding a bull. You can store your stuff in lockers at Marzili or other similar places but we actually hid our towel behind a bush along side the river where we planned to exit. Another option is to have a high-quality dry bag that also serves as a flotation device. It is best to do some research when you are there as there are days where the current is too strong and it is not safe to enter. Highly recommended.
The city of Bern has an excellent webpage about the Aare river swim (the river through Bern is the Aare) and prudently advises none but the best swimmers to attempt it. Several people were killed attempting it in the last season before Covid - 2019 - when I was last there.
You will want a "Wickelfisch" or dry Aaresac. Towel, bus pass, money, clothes, and stuff all stay dry and swim alongside you, so you have everything you need no matter where you get out of the water.
Have a look at https://www.bern.com/en/aare-river
I wanted to do the float, but folks here warned me away. I'm a good swimmer, but the combination of strong currents and very cold water nixed my plan. Don't be deceived by watching the Swiss- I think it's just like hiking- those folks are in such good shape, they make treks- on land and water- look so much easier than the reality.
Safe travels!
I saw pictures of this that looked really wonderful. I told my close Swiss friend that one day I'd love to do this float. I'm a woman in my late 50s, and he's a 24 yr old guy, who grew up in the Alps. His eyes got large and he said "Oh, no! Don't do that. It's very dangerous. People get into trouble all the time." So I've kinda shelved that plan. But it does look tempting!
My apologies for doing two separate posts
David, it good to have you post again. Welcome.
No harm done.
I was wondering about the same thing that David was. We are also not staying in Bern. Are any of the jump-in spots within walking distance of the main train station? Can we dry off, and change clothes at the nearby swimming pool? Thanks in advance for any advice. Cory
