Aare Cycle Route: Gletsch to Koblenz
The Aare Cycle Route follows Switzerland's longest river for approximately 320 kilometers from Gletsch in the Upper Valais to Koblenz where it joins the Rhine. The route primarily tracks alongside the Aare River through the Bernese Oberland and Drei-Seen-Land regions, offering views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.
Route Details
- Distance: 320 km total length
- Difficulty: Moderate with mostly gradual descents
- Surface: Combination of dedicated bike paths, riverside trails, and low-traffic roads
- Terrain: Mostly flat with some short climbs, notably the ascent to Giessbach Falls from Brienz
Geographic Progression
The journey begins near the Grimsel Pass (1757m) and descends through changing landscapes: from alpine terrain through the Aare Gorge, past Lakes Brienz and Thun with Interlaken between them, continuing through the hilly Bernese Mittelland and eventually reaching the confluence with the Rhine at Koblenz.
Points of Interest
- Aare Gorge: Narrow ravine with walkways near Meiringen
- Reichenbach Falls: Site made famous by Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories
- Giessbach Falls: Cascading waterfall near Lake Brienz
- Solothurn: Notable baroque architecture
- Aarburg: Fortress overlooking the river
- Aarau: Known for its decorated gables
Practical Information
Most cyclists start from Meiringen rather than Gletsch, as Meiringen offers better train connections from Lucerne and Interlaken.