HERO, 2000×1100White water on the Lütschine.
White water
Rafting near Lauterbrunnen
The Lütschine, which runs out of this valley, the Simme, and the self-guided Aare. Which one suits you, and when the water is best.
White water
The Lütschine, which runs out of this valley, the Simme, and the self-guided Aare. Which one suits you, and when the water is best.
The river you hear from the valley floor is the White Lütschine, glacier-grey and fast, on its way to Lake Brienz. In summer you can raft it. It is the most local of the adventures on offer, and like canyoning it does not care whether the summits are in cloud.
| Lütschine | Simme | Aare floats | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Cold, fast, continuous | Lively, different scenery | Lazy, self-guided |
| Time | 3.5 to 4 hours | About 4.5 hours | About 2.5 hours |
| Who | Adults and older teens | Adults and older teens | Families and friends |
| Best | Early summer, peak meltwater | Summer | Hot days |
Rafting on the LütschineThe glacier river that runs out of this valley. Cold, fast and continuous.SummerBook now →The Lütschine is fed by the glaciers above Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, so it is at its biggest when the snow is melting fastest, in early summer. Expect cold, continuous white water rather than one big drop, with a guide steering and calling the strokes. You are given a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid. It is the one to do if you want the real thing.
West of Lake Thun in the Simmental, the Simme is the other classic rafting river from Interlaken. A different valley and different scenery, and a good choice if you want a longer trip.
The Lütschine and the Simme are for adults and older teenagers. For something gentler, the self-guided floats down the Aare from Uttigen, near Thun, by tube, canoe-raft or paddleboard, are a Swiss summer classic, and the jetboat and kayaks on Lake Brienz work well with children.
More: every adventure activity near Lauterbrunnen, paragliding, skydiving, canyoning, rafting, Canyon Swing and bungee, Lake Brienz, winter.
Activity photos: © Outdoor Switzerland AG, used with their permission for tourism publishing; paragliding photo: Airtime Paragliding; kayak photo: Hightide Kayak School. Photos show the activities described, not an endorsement of this guide.
Common questions
Yes. The Lütschine, the river that runs out of the Lauterbrunnen valley, is rafted in summer with trips from Interlaken. The Simme, west of Lake Thun, is the other main option.
Early summer, when the glacier and snow melt is highest and the river is at its liveliest.
The Lütschine and the Simme are for adults and older teenagers. For families, the self-guided floats on the Aare near Thun are calmer, and the Lake Brienz jetboat and kayak tours work well with children.
No. Guided trips include a safety briefing, and the guide steers and calls the strokes. You need to be comfortable in cold water.
On the valley floor, twenty minutes from Interlaken by train and a short walk from Lauterbrunnen station.
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