Rafting adventure on a river in Berchtesgaden with mountain backdrop.

Rafting Switzerland - 15 Top Deals and Prices 2024

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River rafting has established itself as an action-packed water sport, especially in recent years. Gentle waves and fast rapids challenge the small groups in the rubber dinghy to stay on course. Rafting is not only about sporting activity, but also about skill and quick action. It also involves a lot of fun.

From the Bernese Oberland to the canton of Graubünden and the Rhone Valley, there are numerous rafting offers. Here you can experience nature close up and from the water. Idyllic river banks await you both in the Bernese Oberland and around the Rhine Gorge. It is often called the "Swiss Grand Canyon"

City fans will find a river rafting tour near Geneva directly on the Arve. Rising from the glacier of Mont Blanc, the Arve crosses Geneva on a 7 km stretch. It then flows into the Rhône.

Rafting hotspots, levels of difficulty and skills

For easy river tours with rather calm waters, no previous experience is necessary. You can find out which tour is right for your abilities in the table and under the following rafting recommendations.

Environment River Difficulty Suitable for
Interlaken Lütschine Medium - Difficult Advanced, Professional
Ilanz Rhine Easy - Medium Beginners, Advanced
Engadin Inn Simple - Medium Beginners, Advanced
Prättigau Landquart Medium - difficult Advanced, professionals
Simmetal/ Bernese Oberland Simme Easy - Intermediate Beginners, Advanced
Wallis Rhone Tour I: Easy - Medium Beginners, Intermediates, Professionals
Wallis Rhone Tour II: Medium - Difficult Advanced, Professionals
Geneva Arve Simple - Medium Beginners, Advanced
Vispertal Valais Vispa Medium - Difficult
Gstaad Saane Medium - Hard Advanced, Pros
Rafting Vorderrhein RheinschluchtVorderrhein Rheinschlucht (Foto: Swissriveradventures)
Rafting Vorderrhein RheinschluchtVorderrhein Rheinschlucht (Foto: Swissriveradventures)

Rafting Interlaken

Off into the rafting dinghy - This or similar could be the motto for all rafting fans who feel like going on one of the popular rafting tours in Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland. River rafting on the Lütschine is something for brave sportsmen who, in the best case, already have some experience. The water of the glaciers of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau finds its end point in Lake Brienz. The whitewater and what mountain panorama rewards you with an impressive scenery.

  • River tour: From Lütschental to Bönigen it is about 15 km
  • Season: From May to August/September
  • Level: For advanced and professionals
  • Suitable for: Families and groups
  • Minimum age: 16 years
Rafting LütschineLütschine (Foto: Outdoor.ch)
Rafting LütschineLütschine (Foto: Outdoor.ch)

Rafting Ilanz

If you fancy a trip down the Rhine, then you've come to the right place in the canton of Graubünden. On the Vorderrhein lies the tranquil little town of Ilanz. If you are venturing into whitewater for the first time and are a beginner, then this whitewater route is highly recommended. On the trip there is a mixture between decent whitewater and stronger rapids. On the way from Ilanz over the Rhine Gorge, you can discover the "Swiss Grand Canyon". The Rhine Gorge itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • River tour: From Ilanz over the Rhine Gorge to Reichenau it's about 20 km
  • Duration tour: Half or full day
  • Season: From May to August/ September
  • Level: For beginners and advanced
  • Suitable for: Families, Groups

Swiss Activities Offers:

Rafting VorderrheinVorderrhein Rheinschlucht_Stromschnelle (Foto: Swissriveradventures)
Rafting VorderrheinVorderrhein Rheinschlucht_Stromschnelle (Foto: Swissriveradventures)

Rafting Inn

The Inn is located in the Engadine and flows through the Upper Engadine lakes. In the lower Engadin, the water becomes more torrential. So river rafting fans and beginners get their money's worth here.

The panorama during the leisurely ride impresses with the imposing mountain scenery and the typical Engadine houses along the banks. For families 3-4 hour tours with guide are offered. Swimming is also allowed in between. The trips are also possible in bad weather conditions.

  • River tour: From Zuoz goes 7 km downstream always following the current
  • Duration tour: 3-4 hours
  • Season: From May to August/ September
  • Level: For beginners
  • Suitable for: Families, Groups

Swiss Activities Offers:

Rafting Wildwasser Abenteuer Giarsun Engadin Welle Wildwasser Abenteuer Giarsun Engadin Welle (Foto: Engadin Outdoor Center)
Rafting Wildwasser Abenteuer Giarsun Engadin Welle Wildwasser Abenteuer Giarsun Engadin Welle (Foto: Engadin Outdoor Center)

Rafting Landquart

White water action is guaranteed on the Landquart. As a river from the Silvretta massif, it flows through the Prättigau. In the village of Landquart the river finds its end point and flows off into the Alpine Rhine.

The water gradually produces heightened rapids and gives rise to a real river rafting feeling. One or the other maneuver may be tackled by advanced rafters. Experience in white water is definitely an advantage here! A guide accompanies every tour.

  • River tour: Between Küblis over the Landquart to Grüsch it goes over wild rapids.
  • Duration tour: About 3 hours
  • Season: From May to August/ September
  • Level: For advanced and professionals
  • Suitable for: Families, professional rafters

Rafting Simme

The gentle rafting tours on the Simme are especially suitable for beginners. An exciting nature experience awaits you between impressive water, shore and mountain landscapes. The individual river sections in the Simmental are a mix of calm river passages and always easier rapids. Here you can prove your physical abilities for rafting. The tours can always be booked from 2 persons. Groups and families are welcome. Then it's off to moderate white water rafting. The trips usually last between 3 and 4 hours. Changing clothes and transportation is included in the time. Don't forget your swimwear.

  • River tour: Via Simmental with end in Därstetten.
  • Duration tour: 3- 4 hours
  • Season: From May to the end of September
  • Level: Beginner
  • Suitable for: Families, Groups

Swiss Activities offers:

Rafting SimmeSimme (Foto: Outdoor.ch)
Rafting SimmeSimme (Foto: Outdoor.ch)

Rafting Rhone

The Rhone River is a total of 807 km long and meanders through the Rhone Valley of Valais. It has the highest water volume as a river in Switzerland.

There are two river tours for rafting fans with different levels of difficulty.

The first tour starts in Souston and goes about 9 km to Sierre. This tour is suitable for experienced rafters. Because the waves are usually not only very high, but also massive. The route is called the Adventure Parcour.

If you like it a bit more dignified, you can choose the second tour from Sierre to Sion. The water is pleasant to ride. On the 20 km long route you always have the opportunity to stop briefly and swim or have a picnic.

  • River tour: Souston to Sierre (9 km) or Sierre to Sion (20 km)
  • Tour duration: between one hour and a whole day
  • Season: From May to September
  • Level: beginners, advanced, professionals
  • Suitable for: Families, White water fans

Swiss Activities offers:

Rafting RhoneRhone (Foto: Swissraft Activity)
Rafting RhoneRhone (Foto: Swissraft Activity)

Rafting Arve

Geneva has a lot to offer not only as a cosmopolitan city on the lake of the same name. If you feel like getting to know the city from the water, you've come to the right place. The Arve River flows past the edge of Geneva's city center. From there there is an estuary directly into the Rhone.

An action-packed adventure in white water awaits rafting fans. The river tour usually starts in Le Veyrier and features alternating water sections. For beginners it is worthwhile to get in contact with light white water currents for the first time close to the city.

You will receive an introduction to the technique from the guides on site.

  • River tour: On the Arve river you will go directly along the outskirts of Geneva
  • Tour duration: Between 2-4 hours
  • Season: From May to September
  • Level: For beginners and advanced
  • Suitable for: Families, adventurous city visitors

Rafting Vispa

Rafting on a glacier spring is a nature experience for beginners to professionals. The Vispa is located in the canton of Valais in the wonderful Vispertal. The river counts 37 km in length and flows into the Rhone. In order to master the changeable rapids of the glacier source, you will get a preliminary instruction by experienced rafting instructors. A safe handling of rubber dinghy and paddle is the goal of the tour. Also an appropriate equipment must not be missing. The tour starts in Mühleye.

  • River tour: It goes along the current of the Vispa valley
  • Duration tour: 3 hours
  • Season: From May to September
  • Level: Advanced, Professional
  • Suitable for: Families, groups, children from 10 years

Swiss Activities offer:

  • River Rafting Vispa
Rafting VispaVispa (Foto: Swissraft Activity)
Rafting VispaVispa (Foto: Swissraft Activity)

Rafting Saane

If you are looking for variety in rafting, we recommend you a river tour on the Saane near Gstaad. This is located in the Bernese Oberland. The mountain river offers you stronger whirlpools as well as calmer sections. If you already have experience in rafting, the trip will be a wonderful experience.

Nature also has a lot to offer here. The gorges of Gérignoz and Vanel will impress you. Here and there you are sure to spot individual cows in the mountain meadows. The white water trip ends at Chateau-d'Oex. The tours are led by guides.

  • River tour: From Saanen the trip takes you up to 15 km across the river to Chateau-d'Oex.
  • Duration tour: 3 hours
  • Season: From May to August
  • Level: Advanced and professional
  • Suitable for: Families, Groups

Swiss Activities offer:

Rafting RhoneRhone (Foto: Swissraft Activity)
Rafting RhoneRhone (Foto: Swissraft Activity)

Even though river rafting is offered in very different regions of Switzerland, all destinations have one thing in common: they guarantee you lots of fun and an exciting experience in the depths of nature.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rafting in Switzerland

  • For whom is rafting suitable?

  • Can I participate in a rafting tour without swimming skills?

  • Is rafting safe in Switzerland?

  • How does rafting work?

  • What happens if I fall out of the boat while rafting?

  • How expensive is rafting in Switzerland?

  • Where can I go rafting in Switzerland?