Simme River
Location: Boltigen, near Bern
The Simme River is located in the Bernese Oberland area, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It originates as a spring on the Rezli alp, underneath which it forms the Simmenfälle, which is a series of several waterfalls adding up to a drop of 200 meters. Rafting trips on the Simme take place on the section of river that flows through the famous Simmental Valley. Whitewater rafts usually put on the river in the town of Boltigen, and take out in either Därstetten or Erlenbach.
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Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate
The Simme River is rated easy Class IV, making it suitable for families with kids age 12 and above, and for more adventurous beginners. Veteran rafters will appreciate its larger waves and unique scenery.
The Canyon: Gentle Green Slopes, Famous Cows, and Alpine Peaks
The Simmental Valley is one of the whitewater rafting world’s more unique riverside environments. Rather than steep gorges, thick forests, or rolling foothills, rafters float and paddle through a high alpine valley. The Simmental is actually most famous for a speckled breed of cow that grazes there on its wide, gentle slopes, but it also boasts luxurious Swiss houses and distant alpine peaks. The rapids are fairly continuous, but not necessarily big, as the Simme’s gradient is consistent and gentle.
Season: May – September
Whitewater rafting trips are available on the Simme River from May through September.
