Lütschine River Whitewater Rafting, Interlaken

The Lütschine, a glacier river from the Jungfrau region

The Lütschine is born from two mountain streams. The White Lütschine rushes down the Lauterbrunnen valley, fed by waterfalls and the glaciers of the Jungfrau massif, and the Black Lütschine drains the Grindelwald valley below the Eiger. The two meet at Zweilütschinen and continue as one river past Wilderswil and Interlaken into Lake Brienz.

Because its water comes straight from snow and ice, the river is cold all year, usually only a few degrees above freezing, and it is at its most powerful in early summer when the snow melts. Its grey-green colour comes from fine rock flour ground by the glaciers. These features make Lütschine rafting quite different from a gentle float on a lowland river: expect constant movement, waves and plenty of spray.

Wilderswil, the rafting base near Interlaken

Your adventure starts at a rafting base in Wilderswil, a village a few minutes south of Interlaken at the entrance to the two Lütschine valleys. Many visitors ask how to get to the meeting point: take the regional train from Interlaken Ost to Wilderswil, about five minutes, or drive and park nearby. Arrive with your swimwear and a towel.

At the base you meet your instructors, receive your gear and listen to a detailed safety briefing covering paddle commands, how to sit in the raft and what to do if you fall in. The equipment provided for rafting, such as a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket, protects you from the cold water. Then a short transfer takes the group to the put-in point on the river. When you come back, changing rooms and hot showers let you warm up before heading on.

The rafting run: grade 3 to 4 rapids

Once on the water your instructor sits at the back of the raft, calls the commands and steers, while you and your team paddle in rhythm. The Lütschine offers grade 3 to 4 rapids, meaning powerful waves, tight turns around boulders and drops that require teamwork, yet everything is handled by experienced guides who know every bend.

Between the busiest sections you have moments to look up at the steep forested slopes and rocky peaks that frame the valley. Time on the water is usually around an hour, and it passes very quickly. Is Lütschine rafting worth it? For anyone who enjoys a real adrenaline rush in a wild Alpine setting, it is one of the best things to do in Interlaken, and a great contrast to the calm of the lakes and mountain railways.

Best time for rafting in Interlaken

Rafting on the Lütschine runs in the warmer months, with the season generally from late spring to early autumn, depending on water levels. June and July bring the highest, wildest water from the snowmelt; late summer is often slightly calmer but still exciting. The exact section run on the day is chosen by the instructors according to the river conditions.

The 12:15 departure leaves your morning free for a lake boat or a short mountain trip, while the 16:15 start lets you combine a full day out with a lively finish. Bring a light snack, as you will be hungry afterwards. Food is not included; in Interlaken there are restaurants including a few that serve halal food, which is easier to find there than in the surrounding mountain villages.