Aare Gorge
Meiringen, Switzerland
Walkways cling to the walls of a 1.4 km limestone gorge, barely a metre wide in places. A small train links the entrances at each end.
The Aare Gorge near Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland is a narrow limestone gorge about 1.4 kilometres long, less than two kilometres from Meiringen. Sheer cliffs rise up to about 50 metres, and at its narrowest the gorge is only around one metre wide. A wooden walkway on metal brackets runs along the rock face, with short tunnel sections; Lonely Planet describes milky-blue water and overhanging limestone.
Permission to build the paths was granted in 1887, and the gorge opened to visitors in the late 1880s. There is an entrance with an admission fee at each end. The stations Aareschlucht West and Aareschlucht Ost on the Meiringen–Innertkirchen railway are close by. According to Lonely Planet the gorge is lit on summer evenings from Thursday to Saturday.
Please check opening hours, season and prices in advance at aareschlucht.ch.
- Nearest town
- Meiringen, Switzerland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 46.7197, 8.2010
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in August–September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Hofstatt-DerfliCampsite2 km from Aare GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- GrimselblickCampsite2 km from Aare GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping GadmenCampsite12 km from Aare GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersWi-Fi
- Camping International GiswilCampsite15 km from Aare GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping GletscherdorfCampsite16 km from Aare Gorge · 60 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping SeefeldCampsite18 km from Aare GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Aare Gorge?
Aare Gorge is in Meiringen, Switzerland, at GPS 46.7197, 8.2010. It is about 13 km from Brienz.
Can you camp near Aare Gorge?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Aareschlucht, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 41 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Aare Gorge?
Aare Gorge is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass.
What is there to see near Aare Gorge?
Places worth a stop nearby: Reichenbach Falls (1 km), Ballenberg Open-Air Museum (10 km), Giessbach Falls (13 km) and Iseltwald (18 km).
When is the best time to visit Aare Gorge?
The most pleasant months are usually June–July. Still fine, with some compromises, in August–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)