Planning and preparation

June, July and August. But depending on the temperature, it’s even possible to raft as late as September or as early as May.

Once the temperature in Bern hits around 20°C, it’s time to bring out the rafts! This is usually around the end of May or early June.

We recommend waiting until the water temperature has reached around 16°C (around the end of May) before rafting on the Aare. It’s even more comfortable once the water reaches 20°C, since there’s always a chance of falling into the water. So it’s better to be safe than sorry! If the water temperature is still a bit too cold but you simply can’t resist getting out for a rafting tour, you’re better off wearing a wetsuit for protection.

Bright sunshine or partly cloudy skies. But keep in mind that appearances can be deceiving! Even on the sunniest days in Switzerland, summer storms can frequently materialize in the afternoon or evening. Our tip: Be sure to check the weather before heading out to raft.

It’s also not wise to raft on a day following a storm. The river – whose waters are usually crystal-clear turquoise and clean – is muddy brown after a storm and carries a lot of driftwood in the current. This makes it dangerous to swim in the Aare or to go on a rafting tour.

Before heading out for a rafting tour, it’s important to check not only the weather but also the river’s water level. In the early summer in particular, glacial ice from the Bernese Alps melts and flows directly into the Aare. This raises the water mark, causing the current to become very swift and making it much more difficult to maneuver a raft. And when the water level is too low, like after a longer period without rain, rafts are at risk of running aground along the riverbanks.

The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment regularly measures the water level. We recommend using the Aare Guru app or going to www.aare.guru (German only) to check the water level before any Aare rafting tour, and cancelling the planned tour if the water levels are higher than 230–250m3/s or lower than 100m3/s.

If you want to enjoy a more peaceful day on the Aare, it’s better to go rafting during the week. But the typical Bernese river-rafting atmosphere is best experienced on the weekend. At Bern main station and on the train to Thun, you’ll run across countless Aare rafters who are happy to introduce newbies to the Aare and offer useful tips for their tour.

And the atmosphere at the launch points and out on the river itself can be quite festive. It’s a great meeting place, and it’s not at all unusual to find yourself chatting with complete strangers on other rafts along the tour. Tip: On holidays, such as the Swiss national holiday on August 1, spirits are especially high out on the river.

It’s ideal to avoid the strong midday sun by starting your rafting tour in the morning or early afternoon. Most Bernese head to Thun by train between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon – and their flip-flops, swimsuits, brightly colored boats and relaxed mood leave no doubt about where they’re headed. If you’re a first-time rafter, the train ride is the perfect opportunity to chat with experienced rafters and to meet someone who is kind enough to direct you to the launch point and show you the pump stations.

Of course, it’s also possible to wait and start your tour in the afternoon. But keep in mind that a tour takes two to three hours (without breaks). If you add in stops for resting, sunbathing and grilling, it can easily become a trip of four to five hours. For newbies, we recommend starting down the river by 2:00 p.m. at the latest.

This gives you sufficient time for some relaxing breaks along the still unfamiliar route, ensuring that you can make it to the end safely before the sun disappears behind the mountains.

“Did we remember everything?” This is a typical question asked before starting any rafting tour on the Aare. To ensure that the whole crew can confidently answer “YES!”, we have put together a checklist for your Aare rafting tour. This way you’re sure to remember everything!

Is your rafting crew complete? Then all you still need is a raft. Here are some tips on buying, renting or borrowing a raft.

If this rafting trip will be a once-in-a-lifetime event, we recommend simply renting a raft. There are various companies in Bern that rent out rafts in different sizes (for two to ten people). Rental prices per raft (including the equipment) range from CHF 60 to CHF 700. The rental procedure and options are similar from company to company.

Here’s how it works

Rafts can be reserved in advance, either online (at any time) or by phone (during the company’s business hours during the week). Reservations can usually be made up to one day before the trip. But to be sure of securing a rental raft during the peak summer season, we recommend making your reservations one week in advance.

On the day of the tour, you can pick up your raft at the launch point (Thun Schwäbis or Uttigen) and – if you’d like – receive comprehensive information on raft handling, safety aspects and the route itself.

The package usually includes equipment such as paddles, an air pump, life jackets, a dry bag and the route map.

After that, you can paddle away and enjoy your tour! You can then return the raft when you exit the river at Eichholz or Marzili (depending on the rental company you use). Just be sure to return the raft on time (usually by around 6:00 p.m.).

If you’d like, the raft rental company can transport your dry clothes and valuables directly to the destination point by car. But most rental companies provide dry bags, allowing you to take your personal items along on the raft and keep them safe and dry.

Besides just renting the raft, would you like to raft down the river with an experienced guide? Or are you interested in a comprehensive package including a guide, BBQ, equipment and all the essentials? Most raft rental companies offer these kinds of packages.

Packages:
Bootsfahrt Aare, Aareschlauchboot, Kanuladen

Looking for an inexpensive option for your rafting tour? Sharing is caring! Many Bernese have a raft in their basement and are happy to loan it out on occasion. So if you have connections in Bern, try asking your friends or workmates.

Are you just visiting Bern? If you’re spending several days in the capital, use the first days to chat with the locals – like at the Turnhalle Café and Bar – and ask them about tips for rafting the Aare. With a little luck and charm, you might be offered a raft to borrow or get invited to join a rafting tour.