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Chase splashy Class II–III waves on the Simme, a scenic alpine river just 40 minutes from Interlaken. With pro guides, provided gear, and hot showers back at the Wilderswil base, this is Swiss whitewater with minimal logistics and maximum fun.
Chase splashy Class II–III waves on the Simme, a scenic alpine river just 40 minutes from Interlaken. With pro guides, provided gear, and hot showers back at the Wilderswil base, this is Swiss whitewater with minimal logistics and maximum fun.
Morning mist lifts off the Bernese pastures as the van leaves Interlaken and threads into Simmental. Cowbells fade to the hush of firs and limestone walls, and the Simme comes into view—green, quick, and inviting. At the put‑in, guides run through paddle strokes and a crisp safety talk, the river murmuring like it’s eager to test your timing. Wetsuits zip, helmets click, and the current takes hold, shouldering the raft into its first wave train.
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Operated by Outdoor · Wilderswil, Canton of Bern
Morning mist lifts off the Bernese pastures as the van leaves Interlaken and threads into Simmental. Cowbells fade to the hush of firs and limestone walls, and the Simme comes into view—green, quick, and inviting. At the put‑in, guides run through paddle strokes and a crisp safety talk, the river murmuring like it’s eager to test your timing. Wetsuits zip, helmets click, and the current takes hold, shouldering the raft into its first wave train.
This is the Simme—an accessible slice of Swiss whitewater, class II–III depending on flow, fed by springs and snowmelt from the upper valley above Lenk. The river winds through a corridor of hay meadows, chalet-dotted slopes, and pockets of alder and spruce. Rapids arrive in playful bursts: splashy tongues that ask for forward strokes, easy laterals that nudge the bow, and mellow pools where you catch your breath and look upstream to the pyramid of the Niesen tipping the skyline. The Simme doesn’t intimidate; it coaxes—nudging paddlers to sync up, commit to commands, and grin through the spray.
Rafting here is as much about place as it is about whitewater. The valley’s villages—Zweisimmen, Erlenbach, Därstetten—trace centuries of alpine farming. Upstream, the Simmenfälle pour through limestone steps; downstream, the river meets the Kander near Wimmis before both push toward Lake Thun. OUTDOOR’s Wilderswil base taps into this landscape efficiently: a 40‑minute shuttle, 1.5–2 hours on the water, then hot showers and a well-earned drink back at base. It’s a clean, dialed flow from briefing to photo review.
Expect approximately 8–10 kilometers of river, though distance and difficulty shift with seasonal levels. Spring can run cooler and swifter; summer is prime for families and first-timers. Boats cap at eight paddlers, keeping the team tight and the instruction focused. Even non-swimmers are welcome—life jackets and attentive guides do the heavy lifting—but being comfortable with a brief swim is wise on any alpine river.
Bring a swimsuit and towel; everything else is provided: wetsuit, neoprene booties, helmet, and PFD. A small day bag makes transitions easy. On the water, the current sets the rhythm—push through a wave train, drift past a gravel bar, spin on a cue and practice a rescue pull. The river keeps you present, then lets you drift and watch swallows skim the surface.
For travelers based in Interlaken, this trip is the low-friction gateway to Swiss whitewater—genuine splash, big scenery, no stress. The Simme invites you aboard, then shows you how to listen to a mountain river as it hustles toward the lake, urging you to paddle in step with its pulse.
moderate.
4–4.5 hours (1.5–2 hours on the river).
Able to paddle steadily and sit active in the raft; comfortable with brief, supervised swims.
Swimming ability is recommended but not required. You’ll wear a life jacket and guides practice rescue techniques before launching.
Typically Class II–III depending on seasonal flow, ideal for families, school groups, and first‑timers seeking splashy, approachable rapids.
Plan for about 4–4.5 hours door-to-door, including shuttles, gear-up, safety briefing, 1.5–2 hours on the water, and post-trip showers.
Minimum age is 10 years; maximum weight is 125 kg (275 lbs) per person.
Bring a swimsuit, towel, and a small day bag. All rafting equipment—wetsuit, booties, helmet, and life jacket—is provided.
Yes. Trip photos are shown at the base after the run and can be purchased on-site.
Simmental’s chalet farms date to the Middle Ages, with dairy routes that once supplied markets along Lake Thun; the Simme joins the Kander at Wimmis before both feed the lake.
Stick to established access points and gravel bars to protect riparian plants and nesting birds; pack out tape, bands, and any microtrash from gear changes.
Outdoor operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Morning mist lifts off the Bernese pastures as the van leaves Interlaken and threads into Simmental. Cowbells fade to the hush of firs and limestone walls, and the Simme comes into view—green, quick, and inviting. At the put‑in, guides run through paddle strokes and a crisp safety talk, the river murmuring like it’s eager to test your timing. Wetsuits zip, helmets click, and the current takes hold, shouldering the raft into its first wave train.
Morning mist lifts off the Bernese pastures as the van leaves Interlaken and threads into Simmental. Cowbells fade to the hush of firs and limestone walls, and the Simme comes into view—green, quick, and inviting. At the put‑in, guides run through paddle strokes and a crisp safety talk, the river murmuring like it’s eager to test your timing. Wetsuits zip, helmets click, and the current takes hold, shouldering the raft into its first wave train.
This is the Simme—an accessible slice of Swiss whitewater, class II–III depending on flow, fed by springs and snowmelt from the upper valley above Lenk. The river winds through a corridor of hay meadows, chalet-dotted slopes, and pockets of alder and spruce. Rapids arrive in playful bursts: splashy tongues that ask for forward strokes, easy laterals that nudge the bow, and mellow pools where you catch your breath and look upstream to the pyramid of the Niesen tipping the skyline. The Simme doesn’t intimidate; it coaxes—nudging paddlers to sync up, commit to commands, and grin through the spray.
Rafting here is as much about place as it is about whitewater. The valley’s villages—Zweisimmen, Erlenbach, Därstetten—trace centuries of alpine farming. Upstream, the Simmenfälle pour through limestone steps; downstream, the river meets the Kander near Wimmis before both push toward Lake Thun. OUTDOOR’s Wilderswil base taps into this landscape efficiently: a 40‑minute shuttle, 1.5–2 hours on the water, then hot showers and a well-earned drink back at base. It’s a clean, dialed flow from briefing to photo review.
Expect approximately 8–10 kilometers of river, though distance and difficulty shift with seasonal levels. Spring can run cooler and swifter; summer is prime for families and first-timers. Boats cap at eight paddlers, keeping the team tight and the instruction focused. Even non-swimmers are welcome—life jackets and attentive guides do the heavy lifting—but being comfortable with a brief swim is wise on any alpine river.
Bring a swimsuit and towel; everything else is provided: wetsuit, neoprene booties, helmet, and PFD. A small day bag makes transitions easy. On the water, the current sets the rhythm—push through a wave train, drift past a gravel bar, spin on a cue and practice a rescue pull. The river keeps you present, then lets you drift and watch swallows skim the surface.
For travelers based in Interlaken, this trip is the low-friction gateway to Swiss whitewater—genuine splash, big scenery, no stress. The Simme invites you aboard, then shows you how to listen to a mountain river as it hustles toward the lake, urging you to paddle in step with its pulse.