Saane / Sarine River

Location: Interlaken, Switzerland

The Sarine River runs through a deep valley from Saanen in the Berner Oberland to Les Moulins in the Pays d’Enhaut, Switzerland. It’s source is a glacier at the foot of the Sanetschhorn, in the western part of the Bernese Oberland. Rafting trips on the Saane / Sarine River meet in either Rougemont or Interlaken.

Level of Difficulty: Class III-IV / Intermediate

The Saane / Sarine River is rated Class III-IV, or beginner Class IV. Most companies will take kids as young as ten years old.

The Canyon: Narrow Rock Walls into Green Alpine Meadows

A whitewater rafting trip on the Saane / Sarine River takes boaters through the Vanel and Gerignoz gorges. The water is high volume, but not extremely challenging, as it flows between narrow rock walls that are often only twenty feet apart. Towards the end of the rafting trip, the river exits the gorges and flows out onto green alpine meadows dotted with grazing cows and classic Swiss villages.

Season: May through August

Rafting trips are available on the Saane River from May through August.