Aare Canoe
Overview
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Distance 20 km
Intro
A section where Switzerland’s largest rivers unite in a primeval water-meadow landscape. The water reserve and Klingnau reservoir are among Switzerland’s most important protected natural areas. And you are right in the middle of it in a canoe.
Description
Brugg is a small, idyllic town. Alongside the bridge and the Black Tower, the landmark of Brugg, there are various history-laden buildings in the car-free town centre to marvel at. Start the canoe tour down from the old town and the Aare Gorge. There is a suitable place to embark before the expansive military training site on the left-hand side of the river. The Aare now flows briskly, forming small waves and a variety of current channels, into what is known as the “water castle of Switzerland”. At this point, the Aare incorporates the Reuss and Limmat rivers in quick succession. The vast floodplain landscape has rightly earned its name: islands and branching river courses make this area a unique natural paradise and one of the last natural sections of the Aare river. It is not permitted to access any of the islands within the water castle (look out for signage). Here, the river has the room and the opportunity to come alive, forming branches and islands and constantly carving out a new path for itself – the result is a fantastic canoeing and nature reserve.
In stark contrast to this, just a little while later you paddle by the internationally renowned Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences in Switzerland. Soon afterwards you reach the hydropower plant near to the Beznau nuclear power plant. You can cross the weir via the lock or carry your boat around it on the left.
Then you are submerged back into nature in the form of the shallow flat water zones on the left bank of the silted-up Klingnau reservoir. With its left-bank flat water areas, mudflats, reed belts and remnants of floodplain forest, it provides the ideal conditions as a feeding and breeding area for birdlife and is an important stopover and wintering ground; over 300 bird species have already been documented. On the right bank lies the charming, tranquil small town of Klingnau.
You should stick to the shipping corridor on the right bank. You can eventually portage your boat around the Klingnau hydropower plant on the left. The final metres of the Aare take you towards the Rhine. With forces now combined, the Rhine carries you to the finishing point at Full.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Brugg
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Full-Reuenthal
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| Distance |
20 km
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| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Theme |
Along Water
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/canoeing-in-switzerland... |
Quick Facts
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