Canyoning in the Saxetenbach Gorge

Interlaken, Switzerland; a city known for its extreme sports and gorgeous scenery is a European city that is not to be missed. While you can experience the traditional extreme sports such as paragliding, bungee jumping or skydiving here, it’s a slightly less extreme yet more unique option you should consider - canyoning.

Canyoning at its core involves jumping, rappelling, and swimming through and around waterfalls, boulders, and wade pools all within steep and narrow canyons. While going solo would surely require expertise and know-how, the best route for most people is going with a guided tour. Within the city of Interlaken there are a couple options.

A ½ day excursion in Interlaken warrants approx 1.5 hrs in the actual canyon. From any of the tour operators, it's a quick 10 minute drive up and through the gorgeous Switzerland countryside. Your destination is the Saxetenbach Gorge, located south of the city of Interlaken. While you are outfitted with all of the necessary safety gear by the tour operator - helmets, lifejacket, wetsuits, etc - you’ll want to ensure that you bring a swimsuit, towel, and small day pack for the conclusion of the canyoning. The adventure isn't without its risks, so be smart and recognize your surrounding and capabilities.

After a quick prep and safety overview, you head directly into the gorge. It is here where not only does the sheer beauty of the gorge engulf you but the immediate realization that you’re in a natural playground hits you. While slightly intimated, it's tough not to become giddy with what's to come. The path you’ll head down yields dozens of waterfalls - many which have been smoothed out and carved by the river, which flows through it, creating 20-30 foot natural chutes and slides. Other waterfalls warrant themselves to leaps of 30 feet as you jump (or flip) into pools of water below. Several rappelling routes and zipline paths await you as well, offering a myriad of different experiences and options as you carve through the gorge. Overall, it’s a heart pulsing and unforgettable experience within the canyons.