Wild Swimming in the Aare River, Bern: A Thrilling Swiss Experience

Switzerland’s famous red-and-white square flag flies from civic buildings, adorns fridge magnets and coffee mugs, and is planted in window boxes in neat rows. There is, however, another colour that symbolises the country’s breathtaking Alpine scenery, and that is the bright blue of the Aare River.

This waterway flows from the great glaciers of the Bernese Oberland, expanding to form first Lake Brienz and then flows through Interlaken to Lake Thun. Upon passing Thun, complete with its ancient covered bridge, the Aare puts its foot down for Bern. And here, in the capital of Switzerland, a wild swimming adventure awaits.

Finding Our Way into the River

On a previous visit to Switzerland, I had seen people bobbing around in the Aare, both in Bern and at various remote points glimpsed from a passing train. This time, I was determined to join them. My family and I, without realizing, had traced the waters of the river from the high Alps to Bern, and then enjoyed a sunny Sunday afternoon in the Swiss capital.

We chose a great base, staying in a youth hostel only a short stroll or funicular downhill from the train station and Old Town. From here, we could see and hear the river, and observe people getting in and out. Wild swimming may be trending in many places around the world, but it is so well established in the civilised city of Bern that signs are placed to advise swimmers where to enter and, crucially, leave the water. While current-assisted river swimming occurs in various locations in Switzerland, it is here that it is at its wildest and most popular.

Getting Swept Away Has Never Been Such Fun

The current was as strong as it looked, and before I knew it, I was being swept rapidly back towards the Marzili Pools. It’s hard to describe how much fun this activity was; if you’ve been on a lazy river at a water park and wanted the pace to pick up, then this is the speed you’d be hoping for. The ‘last exit’ signs offered a straightforward way out for me and hundreds of fellow swimmers.

The river flowed on beyond here, over a weir shortly downstream—hence the need for swimmers to get out—and on towards its confluence with the Rhine. We could still see its beautiful blue waters on occasion as we traveled onwards by train to Basel the next day. It may not seem obvious, but the Aare offers an adrenaline rush for free that deserves a spot on any European summer bucket list.

Top Tips for Swimming in the Aare

• Check with locals about current conditions and heed their advice; no one wants visitors to encounter trouble on the river.
• Look closely at other swimmers, and you’ll notice many have a noodle, beach ball, or another inflatable for extra buoyancy. We didn’t have these, and while we loved swimming, it became tiring fairly quickly.
• Familiarize yourself with the temperature boards at the Freibad Marzili—the river will be several degrees colder than the pool, though both temperatures are displayed.
• Start slowly. Take a short float for your first experience to get your bearings.
• Exercise caution when approaching river banks if you’re getting out at ladders; the current will pull you over rockier, shallow sections, which can result in injuries.
• Do not swim if you’ve been drinking.
• An enjoyable alternative is a rafting trip from Thun to Bern. You’ll see many people opting for this oar-free outing. Several Bern and Thun-based outfits will rent you the gear.
• Most importantly, have fun!

Tom Hall traveled to Switzerland with support from Switzerland Tourism. Contributors of iBestTravel do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.