We are in Bern and are trying to make a decision on floating down the Aare River. I have been looking for advice online and there’s not a lot of detail. I have a husband and a 20 and a 17 year old who are good but not great swimmers, so I am trying to assess the safety of this adventure. Any advice is much appreciated. If not, what are the swimming areas that are safe alongside/adjacent to the river?
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
Ask at the TI or at your hotel. Or at a fancier hotel with a concierge if you dare.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33819 posts
This thread from last month may have all your answers.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/bern-river-float
Bottom line - if not a very competent swimmer, reconsider...
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks so much. I didn’t see that thread. And yes, I am concerned about the swimming competency as well.
I’ll ask at the hotel as well.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
With the current drought conditions over much of western Europe, the Aare river has much less flow than usual, so swimming might be easier than usual! But do ask locally of course.
Posted by
Wengen
2494 posts
What you could do is the "Bremgarten Schlaufe". Take bus 21 out to Fährstrasse and follow the crowds. There is a tunnel going through an isthmus that allows you to improve your "walking back" to "floating down" ration. There is less flow there than at Märzili because a lot of water gets deviated through a power plant.
Get something to float on. You need to stay horizontal, as the water moves, but the bottom doesn't. If you try to thread water you will stub your toes...