Walk Through Aare Gorge
The Aare Gorge is a 1,400 m long and 200 m deep natural wonder. It takes around 45 minutes to walk through the imposing gorge – an easy and safe walk along walkways and through tunnels. With its constant cool temperature, the Aare Gorge is naturally refreshing – making it an ideal destination for a beautiful sunny day. When it rains, the gorge is very impressive with its mystical atmosphere and, at parts, large stretches of water. The gorge is a great destination in all weathers, and will be open from the beginning of April to 1 November. The Aare Gorge is located in the Hasli Valley in the eastern Bernese Oberland. The Hasli Valley is one of the large transverse valleys in the Swiss Alps. It stretches from the Grimsel Pass to Lake Brienz. The flat ground of the lower valley is separated from the upper valley by an impressive rock formation, dubbed the ‘Kirchet’. Over tens of thousands of years, the Aare eroded a path through the limestone cliffs of the ‘Kirchet’, forming the Aare Gorge, which is only 1–2 m wide in some places. NOTE: There is a west entrance and an east entrance. The west entrance opens earlier in the year. Season 2026 Aare Gorge west entrance: 3 April 2026 – 1 November 2026 Aare Gorge east entrance: 9 May 2026 – 1 November 2026 Opening hours: 03.04. – 12.06.2026 8:30 am to 5:30 pm 13.06. – 20.09.2026 8:30 am to 6:30 pm 21.09. – 01.11.2026 8:30 am to 5:30 pm When both entrances are open, visitors can pass through the entire length of the gorge. NOTE: You can do a strenuous loop hike from Meiringen to the gorge and back. See Links.
