Top 20 Gorges around Innertkirchen

Innertkirchen offers a diverse range of canyons, from easily accessible gorges with well-maintained paths to more adventurous canyoning routes. You can find accessible gorges like the Aare Gorge, dramatic glacier gorges such as Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, and thrilling canyoning experiences like the Hochalpiner Grimsel-Canyon.

Yes, several canyons are suitable for families. The Aare Gorge is particularly family-friendly, with well-maintained footbridges and tunnels, and its western entrance is barrier-free. The Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge is also recommended for families, offering an impressive natural experience with ideal picnic spots.

The Aare Gorge is highly accessible. Visitors can walk its entire 1.4-kilometer length via well-maintained footbridges and tunnels. The western entrance to the middle of the gorge is barrier-free, making it suitable for almost everyone, including those with wheelchairs. The Meiringen-Innertkirchen Railway (MIB) stops at both the east and west entrances.

Most gorges, like the Aare Gorge and Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, are typically open from April/May to October/November. July and August offer extended evening hours with lighting at the Aare Gorge. For canyoning, summer months generally provide the best weather conditions.

There are parking spaces available at both the west and east entrances of the Aare Gorge. A large car park is located at the main entrance near Meiringen (west entrance). Parking is free for coaches and passenger cars.

The Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, features a secured 573-meter-long path carved into the rock. It showcases mighty waterfalls, romantic grottos, and bizarre rock formations, with a height difference of 155 meters. The raw beauty of the glacial landscape is a major draw.

Yes, the Hochalpiner Grimsel-Canyon is specifically geared towards canyoning. It offers an exhilarating experience with crystal-clear water, glacier-polished granite basins, rappelling descents (including an impressive 50-meter drop), mid-height jumps, natural rock slides, and a 'Flying Fox' zip line ending in a controlled freefall into a water basin. It's described as spectacular yet not overly difficult for canyoning. More information can be found on MySwitzerland.

The Aaschlucht Gorge is a wild and romantic gorge with well-developed paths. It features 7 bridges, including 3 suspension bridges, allowing for continuous exploration. It's known for its impressive natural beauty and is suitable for walking.

Beyond exploring the gorges, the region around Innertkirchen offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including routes like 'View of the Valley – Trift Bridge loop' or 'The Aare Gorge – Viewpoint at Reichenbach Falls loop'. There are also options for gravel biking and road cycling, with guides available for Gravel biking around Innertkirchen, Hiking around Innertkirchen, and Road Cycling Routes around Innertkirchen.

Yes, during July and August, the Aare Gorge offers a magical experience with evening lighting. Its opening hours are extended until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings (from 6:30 p.m. only the west entrance is open). The Grindelwald Glacier Gorge, while a bit further afield, is also open until 10 p.m. on Fridays.

The Alpbach Gorge, located between Meiringen and Hasliberg, offers a more challenging, via ferrata-like experience. Its path is built into the rock faces above the rushing stream, requiring a good head for heights and surefootedness. It's accessible only from bottom to top, with a normal hiking trail leading back to Meiringen, providing a distinct adventure compared to the more accessible gorges.