Böötle - the ultimate guide to Swiss rivers
Böötle is a particularly popular summer activity for families and friends. Böötle is the Swiss German word for floating down Swiss rivers in an inflatable boat, air mattress, inflatable boat or even a floating tire.
What do you do at Böötle? With the Böötle you get in with your floating vehicle at one point of the river and let yourself float. You can get off at any point and take the train or bus back to the starting point. Don't forget your waterproof bag with water, dry clothes, shoes and other things you need for the return.
This is very popular in Zurich, for example, where many friends, families, and couples float down the Limmat River in a small inflatable boat, a pink flamingo, or a floaty tire in the summer.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the right route and the right river. At the bottom of the page you will find important information about equipment, safety and specific dangers when boating in the FAQ. Above all, it is important to start the exit in good time before danger spots, power stations and weirs.
The ten most beautiful Böötle tours
There are a number of popular river tours in Switzerland. Here is a brief summary of the 10 most beautiful boat tours:
Aare: Thun to Bern (3-4 hrs): This is the best-known and most popular Aare rafting route, leading from Thun Schwäbis via the legendary Uttigen rapids to Bern. This route can also be shortened (Uttigen-Camping Eichholz)
Ticino (Ticino): Cresciano to Arbedo (1.5 to 2 hours): the river, which is still wild in places at the beginning, passes wooded slopes and gravel banks with views of the Ticino Alps
Reuss: Bremgarten to Gebenstorf/Windisch (4 hours): a very scenic route, but requires a lot of attention due to rapids and rocks as well as a weir behind Bremgarten; it can be shortened in Mellingen.
Rhine: Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen (3.5 to 4.5 hours): a leisurely ride along forests, weaving hills and romantic villages to Schaffhausen with the gigantic Rhine Falls.
Linth: Wesen to Schmerikon (3 to 4 hours): The tour connects the Walensee with the Obersee.
Limmat: Zurich to Dietikon (2 to 2.5 hours): the route is very busy and can also be started after the Höngger Wehr to be on the safe side.
Saane/Aare: Gümmenen to Aarberg (3-4 hours): The trip leads from the Saane into the Aare, passing through a nature reserve in places (swimming is prohibited there)
Reuss: Sins to Rottenschwil (3-4 hours): the route on the upper Reuss can be started from Gisikon, the trip has hardly any dangerous sections
Rhine: Neuhausen am Rheinfall to Rheinau (3-4 hours): The impressive Rhine Falls can be admired at the start of a romantic tour to Rheinau Abbey.
Rhone: Geneva, Pont Sous-Terre - Geneva, Le Lignon (2 to 3 hours): The Böötle takes you through largely unknown parts of the Geneva region with beautiful bridges
Böötle: Boat hire and guided tours
Not everyone wants to buy their own rubber boat to enjoy this leisure sport. A good alternative is boat hire, which often even brings and collects the boats.
And for people who don't want to take care of anything themselves, there are guided boat trips. The organizers have safety certification and public liability insurance. They offer specific routes, guide the rubber boats and watch out for obstacles and hazards.
The 27 km stretch between Thun and Bern is packed with rubber boats in summer. This is no wonder, as this section is one of the most popular in Switzerland. In 2010, there were 237 boats with more than 700 participants. This was a world record and an entry in the Guinness Book. You can find a detailed description of the route on the Aarelauf page.
But you can also drift along the Kallnach and Hagneck Canal in your rubber dinghy, as there are no dangerous sections.
You can also use the stretch between Schwellenmätteli and the Felsenau weir for a dinghy, this stretch is pleasantly calm.
Between Wohlensee and Aargau there is a boating route that is considered a sporty alternative. This route is more of a rafting route and not for the lazy. You have to paddle together at full speed to make progress, as the Aare flows very slowly here.
There are eight other suitable stages for a böötle on the 288-kilometre-long Aare between Biel (Nidau) and Full/Reuenthal:
- 12 km across the canal between Nidau to Büren
- 17 km from Büren to Solothurn
- 10 km from Solothurn to Wangen a.A.
- 17 km from Wangen a.A. to Murgenthal
- 12 km from Murgentahl to Olten
- 14 km from Olten to Aarau
- 18 km from Aarau to Brugg
- 19 km between Brugg and Full-Reuenthal In this section, the Reuss and the Limmat flow into the Aare, which joins the Rhine in Full-Reuenthal.
You will need a particularly good level of fitness for some of the sections.
This SLRG map provides a good overview of the most popular sections of the Aare-Böötle, the danger spots and all entry and exit points.
Aare water level: The recommended flow rate in Brügg is <400 m3/s.
- Böötle from Thun at Swiss Activities
Einstiegsstellen für das Aare-Böötle
Beim Böötle solltest du die üblichen Einstiegsstellen beachten. Sie sind dafür besonders gut geeignet und haben sich bewährt.
Die Einwasserungsstelle in Thun liegt bei Allmund-Schwäbis auf der rechten Fluss-Seite, hinter der Regiebrücke beim Restaurant Bellevue. Der Bahnhof Schwäbis (Steffisburg) ist direkt daneben.
Weitere Einstiegsstellen gibt es in Uttigen, Kiesen, Thalgut Wichtrach, Münsingen und Rubigen. Nach dem Stauwehr Felsenau ist in Wylergut eine weitere Einbootstelle.
In Bern liegt die Einstiegsstelle am Schwellenmätteli, Dalmaziquai 11, direkt neben den Schwellenmätteli-Restaurants.
Im Wohlensee kann grundsätzlich überall eingestiegen werden. Eine Möglichkeit ist die Wohleibrücke, die für den Einstieg sehr gut geeignet ist.
In Nidau am Bielersee findest du den Einstieg für Biel unterhalb der Schleuse. Parkplatz und WC sind in direkter Nähe. Eine nächste Einstiegsmöglichkeit findest du nahe des Informationszentrums Altreu am Flussknick.
In Wangen a.A. steigst du neben der Städtli-Brücke ein.
In Aarwangen am Schlipf vor dem Pontonier-Clubhaus kannst du noch vor dem Schloss von links einsteigen
In Murgenthal an der Treppe vor der Aarebrücke von rechts.
Dangerous spots at Böötle and nature reserves in the Aare River
About five kilometers after the start in Thun, you reach the railroad bridge at Uttigen with the infamous Uttigen wave. Here you have to distribute the weights in the boat evenly and approach the wave in the middle.
Course ships and occasional ships you must regularly avoid and at ferry points a central driving is announced.
At Münsingen dead wood and shallows have to be taken into account.
For a stretch "around Bern", the Stauwehr Engehalde must be bypassed.
At Büsen, navigation of the Aare side arm "Häftli " is not permitted from spring to autumn.
Between Wangen a.A. and Murgenthal you will pass through two nature reserves where it is forbidden to enter or leave the water. Before the power station Wynau, the Aarestau Wynau and the old gravel pit Schwarzhäusern are such an area. You are allowed to drive through, but you have to keep a distance of ten meters to the shore. The same applies to the "Vogelraupfi" between Berken and Bannwil. You must drive around the island at a distance of at least 50 meters to the south.
After Wangen there are more and more hydroelectric power stations and before the respective weirs you absolutely have to ditch. Shortly before Aarwangen you reach the Bannwill power station (bypass on the left bank), after Aarwangen the Wynau/Schwarzhäusern power station (also bypass on the left bank), after Wolfwil comes the Aare-Cheer. You have to watch out for the waves! After Solothurn you reach the next power station: Ruppoldingen. Here you have to go around to the right.
Further danger spots are those of the Kehrwasser Aare-Waage near Aarburg and the Felsens Chessiloch before the wooden bridge Olten. The Aare is forced to make a sudden left turn at Aarburg by a rock spur. This creates a large sweeping water - called "Woog". The water flows back through the vortex. It is best to go around the Woog on the left side.
After Olten you drive between Trimbach and Winznau into the Kraftwerkskanal (power station Olten-Gösgen). Because of a current towards the weir, you have to drive entirely left along the bank.
The weir in Aarau (Rüchlig power station) must be approached carefully. The disembarkation requires special care. It is best to go right, because of the current towards the weir. Several boats should land one after the other.
In Brugg the rubber boat has to be carried for about 1,200 meters. For safety reasons, the deep and wild gorge should not be navigated.
The estuary of the Aare-Reuss-Limmat is called Water Castle. All islands belonging to it may not be entered
At the Klingnau Reservoir there is a protected area of international importance for waterfowl and migratory birds. You have to drive around all nature protection zones with a distance of 50 m and you have to follow the given access to the disembarkation point. In general, you are allowed to pass through the protected area, but not to stop or land.
Schutzgebiete:
- Zwischen Wangen a.A. und Murgenthal kommst du durch zwei Naturschutzgebiete, in denen ein- und auswassern verboten sind.
- Das Mündungsgebiet Aare-Reuss-Limmat wird Wasserschloss genannt. Alle Inseln, die dazu gehören, dürfen nicht betreten werden.
- Am Klingnauer Stausee befindet sich ein Schutzgebiet von internationaler Bedeutung für Wasser- und Zugvögel. Alle Naturschutzzonen musst du mit 50 m Abstand umfahren und die vorgegebene Zufahrt zur Ausbootsstelle unbedingt befolgen. Generell darfst du im Schutzgebiet zwar Durchfahren, aber nicht Anhalten oder Anlanden.
Exit points for the Aare-Böötle
The following exit points are tried and tested and should be adhered to for safety reasons.
- In Bern you get off at the Dalmazi bridge on the left side of the river. This is after the Marzili Bad (it is forbidden to get out at the bath itself).
- You must get out at the Felsenau/Wyler weir and can then re-enter the water.
- There are other exit points in front of the Muribad and in Eichholz. Between the Felsenau weir and Wohlensee you can disembark at Zehndermätteli, after the Felsenau bridge, at Neubrügg and at the Halen bridge as well as after the Hinterkappelen bridge.
- In Aarberg it is best to disembark about 150 meters before the weir bridge on the left side of the river. You can reach Aarberg railroad station from here in ten minutes.
- In Büren, the canal and Alte Aare join together. Shortly afterwards, you can get off on the right behind the bridge. There are restaurants, a supermarket and a pharmacy here. It is 300 meters to the parking lot and 500 meters to the train station. The regional train back to Biel takes 19 minutes.
- In Solothurn, get off on the left-hand side. You can reach the station in a few minutes by crossing the bridge. The train back to Biel takes 23 minutes.
- In Murgenthal (Fahracker), get off to the right at the steps before the Aare bridge as soon as you see the wooden bridge in the distance. Access to the Fahracker is only permitted up to the driving ban. The train station is only a two-minute walk away. You will find further exits in Aarburg on the Aare promenade to the right (1 min to the bus) and in Olten at the Badi (lido), just before the wooden bridge, to the left. The train station is about ten minutes' walk across the wooden bridge.
- The exit in Aarau is before the Kettenbrücke bridge on the right at the water sports club, before Flösserplatz. From here it is about a 15-minute walk to the station. In Altenburg near Brugg, get off to the right and walk about 18 minutes to the station.
- In Full-Reuenthal, get off at the latest after the confluence with the Rhine on the left-hand side at Jüppenweg. From here it is a 1-2 minute walk to the bus stop (147). The ferry is located directly at the landing point. The return journey from Full to Biel by public transport takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Limmat-Böötle
The most popular route for Limmat-Böötle is the one between Zurich and Dietikon. It is well connected to public transport and is always well frequented due to its proximity to the big city. The interesting mix of urbanity and beautiful nature offers a high recreational value.
The Limmat is very busy on the 10 km between Zurich and Dietikon, but you can also get on at the Höngg weir and save yourself the trouble of changing boats at the weir. The sections of the river bank that have been made natural by beavers begin after the Werdinsel behind the weir. The further stretch beyond Baden ends at Kappelerhof at the latest.
Boarding points for the Limmat-Böötle
A popular boarding point is on the right side of the stairs of Wipkingerpark in Zurich. It can be reached directly by streetcar on line 13.
Bus and streetcar access. Directly after the Höngger Weir there is another boarding point. It is the place that is also reached on the left side after transferring the boats.
Dangerous places for Böötle on the Limmat
The Höngg weir is very dangerous. Time and again, people who have missed the exit have accidents here. The exit point before the Höngger Weir is on the left side.
You pass the Mühli weir on the left. The weir to Kraftwerk Aue must also be bypassed and you must disembark at the latest before the weir at Kraftwerk Kapellerhof.
On the stretch between Wipkingerpark and the Höngg weir (lower Limmat), according to the safety information of the city of Zurich, the Limmat should not be navigated by rubber dinghy when the discharge exceeds 100 m3/s.
Exit points at the Limmat-Böötle: Dietikon and Glanzenberg
The exit points before the Weir Höngg are signalized on the left bank. You can disembark at the concrete ramp. You have to carry the boats 60 meters on foot.
The Allmend Glanzenberg is a good place to get out of the boat, because you have a lot of space, toilets and direct access to the S-Bahn station Glanzenberg.
Reuss boat
For river tours with a rubber boat, the slightly curved Reuss is a popular choice. The Reuss is a natural watercourse in many places. It offers much tranquility, but also has adventurous passages.
On the way you will pass some interesting bridges like the beautiful wooden toll bridge at Sins. Artificial obstacles and some weirs you have to watch out for, otherwise you can easily explore the Reuss by rubber dinghy. Besides calm stretches, it also has sections with a strong current.
Especially the Lower Reuss requires your full attention. You should always pay attention to warning signals and clarify possible entry and exit points in advance. Almost on all stretches there are possibilities for an early exit.
The section between Bremgarten and Gebenstorf is a popular Böötle route on the Reuss. It is 24 km long and belongs to the Lower Reuss. There are two other stretches on the Upper Reuss between Sins and Rottenschwil and Gisikon and Rottenschwil.
The Reuss is the fourth largest river in Switzerland. Since it is a glacial river, there are often higher water levels in June and July, especially after additional rainfall. Therefore, navigating the river with a rubber boat is not without danger in these weather conditions.
Reuss-Böötle Lower Reuss:
The Untere Reuss is one of the most beautiful stretches of river.
Boat launching points Bremgarten, Mellingen
- For a Böötle on the Lower Reuss, the usual boarding point is located in Bremgarten. You find it on the right bank of the western edge of the old town (here Unterstadt). This entry point is also used by boat rentals. The best way to get there is via road 1 north of Bremgarten. You turn to the Bremgartener Unterstadt, drive the Friedhofsstrasse over the Reuss and turn right in front of the old town wall to the Reuss.
It is at the intersection of Reussgasse and Augraben near the Hexenturm. Here you can conveniently leave your boats on the river bank while you bring your car to the parking lot at the city wall. Here you have to pay parking fees, but you are only allowed to park for a maximum of 5 hours.
- Mellingen is mostly an exit point, but is also used as an entry point.
Danger points
Honeggerwehr to Bremgarten: about 1.5 km after the start in Bremgarten you come to an island in the river. In the left arm of the river you go through a surf wave that extends over the whole arm of the river and is only used by whitewater paddlers. So you take the right arm of the river. There is a bigger surge here that needs to be watched out for. You need experience for this.
The river moves in curves through wooded areas with little development. Larger boulders, dead wood, but also a few rapids and rollers in the riverbed will meet you on the way. They can be avoided very well if you drive attentively and with foresight. In Gnadenthal there is a fall in the riverbed, which you better bypass far to the right. There are also ** rapids** in the water at Gnadenthal.
If you want to continue beyond Gebenstorf, you will have to go out of the water and get back in after the weir.
Exit points Gnadenthal, Mellingen, Gebenstorf
- Mellingen is an exit point that is reached after about two hours. For disembarking you can moor at Schlössli Iberg.
- The usual take-out point for a Böötle is about 1.5 hours further directly in front of a weir in Gebenstorf. Boat rental companies also use this spot. However, you need an access permit to the Reussbädli. Shortly after the Reussbädli comes the dangerous weir of the Windische Spinnerei, a warning sign points it out.
Next to the sunbathing lawn the boats may be loaded. However, parking is not allowed here or in the residential area. You reach the boat landing stage via road 3, the connecting road from Gebenstorf to Windisch. Before the bridge, turn right into Birmenstorfer Strasse and continue along Badstrasse to the end, where the sunbathing lawn is located.
- For short trips Gnadenthal or Stetten is often used as an exit point. Other Böötle also use this spot for a stopover with a picnic.
- On guided multi-day tours, Stilli or Sulz is also used as a somewhat more distant destination that goes beyond Gebenstorf.
Reuss-Böötle Obere Reuss:
The Upper Reuss encounters the towns of Gisikon, Sins to Rottenschwil.
Points of entry Sins, Gisikon, rarely Perlen, Mühlau
- The point of entry is in Sins not far from the historic Reuss bridge Sins-Hünenberg. The entrance is next to the restaurant Zollbrücke, about 50 m below the bridge. The nearest parking lot as well as a parking garage can be found on the other side of the river at the train station. You can reach the train station from the entry point via Zollweid, road 25 and Bahnhofstrasse.
- In Gisikon-Root behind the Gasthof Tell you will find the entry point Gisikon, which you can easily reach by bus or train. Parking your car at Gasthof Tell will inevitably result in a bus fine. The parking spaces are reserved exclusively for restaurant guests.
- Other entry points can be found in Perlen (after the weir) and in Mühlau.
Danger points
There are no particular danger spots on the route. In Ottenbach at the prank weir you should keep to the left. However, special caution is required as soon as course ships approach.
Exit points Rottenschwil, Ottenbach, Bremgarten
The most popular exit point is Rottenschwil, before the Reuss bridge on the left. Both parking lot and bus stop Rottenschwil/Hecht are directly at the exit. But before that you can also get off at Ottenbach. You have to get off at the Bremgarten power plant at the latest because of the barrage.
Reuss-Böötle Upper Reuss versus Lower Reuss:
The stretch of the Lower Reuss is particularly scenic, but challenging in places. The stretch between Bremgarten and Mellingen is considered particularly beautiful.
On the Upper Reuss you can ride a bit more relaxed, the stretches are especially suitable for families and larger groups. The route from Gisikon to Rottenschwil is one hour longer than the route from Sins.
Rhine Böötle
The most popular place for a Böötle on the Rhine is the section between Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen. It is about 18 km long. Diessenhofen is about in the middle and can also be used as an exit point. The Hochrhein is so popular mainly because of the romantic scenery.
Schaffhausen with the Rhine Falls is a special highlight. With a height of 23 meters and a width of 150 meters, the Rhine Falls is one of the largest and most water-rich waterfalls in Europe. Neuhausen (behind the power station Schaffhausen) as an entry point for a Böötle leads you to Rheinau (10 km) and Rüdlingen (20 km) and starts directly at the Rhine Falls.
A Böötle between Rheinau and Eglisau is about 16 kilometers long. In the gorge, which is densely forested on both sides, beavers and kingfishers can be observed. After transferring the boat at the Eglisau power station, it is possible to continue to Hohentengen/Kaiserstuhl without any problems. However, paddles must be used on this stretch.
On the further stretch to Koblenz/Waldshut there is a dangerous rapids with the Koblenzer Laufen near Kadelburg. It is therefore not suitable for a self-organized Böötle. However, guided Böötle tours through the Koblenzer Laufen are offered.
The river guide Hochrhein informs well in the overview about entrances and exits as well as the danger spots, also on less known stretches. It is therefore good to use for additional information on selected routes. Since this river guide was written for canoe, kayak, raft, rowing boat or Weidling, however, quite a few of the routes listed are not suitable for the Böötle.
Boarding points for the Böötle on the Rhine
For Böötle tours, it is important to know the suitable boarding points beforehand.
- In Stein am Rhein boarding points are possible at the Rhine bridge or a little further on at the harbor. The city made the south entrance inaccessible in August 2020 in a night and fog action, so that the rubber boats can only enter the water on the north side of the Rhine. Parking spaces are available. The Untertor bus stop is very close to the harbor. From Stein train station it is 500 meters to the Rhine bridge.
- Diessenhofen in the Schlipf am Hafen, about 250 meters after the Rhine bridge on the left. From the train station Diessenhofen you walk about 800 meters.
- The entry point Neuhausen is directly at the Rhine Falls after the Schaffhausen power station. The entry point is at Schlipf below Schlössli Wörth, at the fish farm. You can get to Neuhausen by train (Neuhausen Bad or Neuhausen Rheinfall), then it's a 15 min walk. 2 parking lots are available at the Rhine Falls.
- Rheinau at the 2nd weir left bank of the Rhine
- Eglisau after the power station on the right side
Danger points on Rhine Boats
- On the stretch between Stein am Rhein and Kaiserstuhl, there are no dangerous spots except for course ships and occasional boats. The stretch between Kaiserstuhl and Koblenz or Waldshut contains a dangerous rapid at Kadelburg and is therefore unsuitable for Böötle.
- You have to be careful at the weir of the Rheinau power station: carry the boat around (possibly with a trolley). In Schaffhausen you must in any case ditch in time before the weir of the power station.
- At the Eglisau power station you have to carry the boat around: get out on the right and carry the boat over the footbridge with the boat trolley over the ramp into the underwater (be careful at high water!)
- At the mouth of the Glatt between Eglisau and Herdern there is a strong side current from the left.
Exit points at Böötle on the Rhine
- Diessenhofen (about halfway between Stein and Schaffhausen): Exit either at Strandbad Gailingen on the right side of the river or a little later in Diessenhofen at Schlipf am Hafen, about 250 m after the Rhine bridge on the left.
- In Schaffhausen the exit is at the Salzstadel before the railroad bridge. You will find the bus stops Rosental-, Kegelgässchen and Schifflände nearby, from there to the train station. There is a parking garage at Schifflände.
- In Rheinau the exit is after the Klosterbrücke on the left (at the 2nd weir). You can find public transportation from the Rheinau bus stop in the lower town. From there the bus goes to the train station Marthalen.
- Flaach/Rüdlingen about 2 km after the mouth of the Thur: 200 m before the bridge turn right at the bathing beach, paid parking available
- Eglisau on the right at the power station
- Hohentengen at the camping site on the right
Ticino boat
The Ticino is canalized on the last kilometers before its confluence with Lake Maggiore and flows particularly calmly. The banks are fortified and reed belts line the river towards the lake. Here the current also decreases. After disembarking, you can enjoy a sundowner at the beach bar.
The tours are either between Cresciano and Bellinzona or Bellinzona and Magadino and last 1.5 and 2.5 hours for 10 and 16 kilometers respectively. The river Ticino is also called Ticino. The Ticino mountains tower over you during the Böötle.
The water level at Bellinzona is 15-100 m3/s, which is ideal for an inflatable boat trip.
From Cresciano, the Ticino, which is still wild at the beginning, leads past gravel banks and wooded slopes that invite you to barbecue. Navigation is not recommended when the water level is low.
Points of entry for Ticino boats
In Cresciano, below the sports ground, a path leads to the shore at the one-boat place. You can get there from Bellinzona via Castione to the stop Cresciaone, Paese. Then continue on foot.
You can reach the entrance Bellinzona by walking to the bridge at the bus stop "Bellinzona, Via Lepori". From there you can get directly to the water.
Danger points when boating on the Ticino
Shortly after the entrance in Cresciano there are some swales. Between the stones you have to watch out for poisonous vipers, after the Passerella di Claro-Gnosca on the left there is a stone groyne.
On the stretch between Bellinzona and Magadino there are no dangerous places except for some big pieces of rock in the water.
Exit points for Ticino boats
The Bellinzona exit point is not far from a bus stop. It is also possible to get off at Arbedo. In Arbedo the river Moësa flows into the Ticino after the highway bridge, directly after the confluence on the left you can disembark. From the exit you have about 10 minutes on foot to the bus stop Arbedo, Molinazzo.
Magadino is already in the Lago Maggiore. As soon as you cross the Ticino into Lake Maggiore, you will see the white church of Magadino. Below is a small headland where you can disembark. The bus stop "Magadino, Casa Comunale" is a few steps up the main road.
Glatt Böötle
The Glatt is only 38.5 kilometers long, but long enough for a pleasant Böötle through nature. The river drains the Greifensee towards the Rhine. Suitable for a ride on the rubber boat is the approximately eight-kilometer stretch between Rümlang and Oberhöri, but there is also an exit halfway down the river in Oberglatt. In total the trip takes about three hours. You can use an interesting article about this with a small map for preparation.
The ride goes along the Zurich airport and thus offers unique views of arriving and departing airplanes of all kinds. Nature reserve and east-west runway of the airport form a good contrast. The river loops from Oberglatt to Niederglatt are particularly beautiful.
Boarding points for Böötle on the Glatt
In Rümlang you walk from the train station to the Garba bridge, the signs point the way to the Glatt riverside trails. Then you can take the stairs to the right of the Garbabrücke on Klotenerstrasse.
Danger points at the Glatt-Böötle
Under the railway bridge at Niederglatt you have to expect an increased current.
Exit points for Böötle on the Glatt
In Oberglatt after leaving the airport area, turn right after the wooden Hirschenbrücke. Shortly before, the Himmelbach flows in. after the sludge silos of the sewage treatment plant Fischbach-Glatt comes the last exit. You leave the Glatt on the left side under the road bridge at the bicycle path. Because of several weirs and obstructions with stone blocks, it is not possible to continue from Oberhöri.
Linth-Böötle
A rubber boat ride along the renaturalized canal between Weesen and Schmerikon is pure relaxation. The Linth connects the two lakes Walensee and Obersee/Zürichsee, partly via the Linth canal, which is completely free of special danger spots.
Tours between Weesen or Ziegelbrücke and the island of Benken-Giessen (15 km) or from Benken-Giessen to Schmerikon (7.2 km) can be arranged and combined as desired. Grynau (Uznach) is also a suitable entry and exit point. Between Grynau and Schmerikon you have to paddle for about 35 minutes.
Entry points for Linth-Böötle
- The Ziegelbrücke in Niederurnen is very easy to reach by public transport via regional train and S-Bahn. The train station is only a few steps away. S2, S4, S6 and S8 stop here. A large parking lot is also available.
- On the Insel Benken, Giessen at the bathing place right below the restaurant Sternen, reachable by bus 365. The restaurant Sternen offers "food to go".
- In Grynau (Uznach) before the bridge and the restaurant Grynau.
Danger points at the Linth-Böötle
There are no critical danger spots.
Exit points for Linth-Böötle
- On the Insel Benken, Giessen at the bathing area on the right below the Sternen restaurant are the docking places for boats. Bus 365 goes back to Ziegelbrücke.
- At Schloss Grynau (Uznach) you can interrupt or stop the trip. The boat is connected at the marked places.
- On the right shore of the Obersee is the village Schmerikon. Here you aim for the lake promenade. The train station is not far away; it is directly above.
Rhone-boat
You can use the Rhone in Geneva between the bridge Pont Sous-Terre and Le Lignon for a Böötle. Besides beautiful and romantic bridges you have here also the special scenery of huge apartment blocks, which form a special contrast.
The trip goes past the Jonction peninsula, at the tip of which the Arve from the Mont Blanc massif and the Rhône from Lake Geneva flow together. After mighty rock faces on the right, you finally pass the Cité du Lignon.
This is a colossal complex whose main wing, at 980 meters long, is the longest residential building in Switzerland. The Böötle takes about two to three hours on the 5.5 km long route.
Rhone-Böötle boarding points
Via a concrete ramp you get on at the Bridge Pont Sous-Terre. From Geneva you get here via Geneva train station, take bus line 7 (direction "Vernier, Lignon-Tour") to "Délices". From here you go straight to the bridge Pont Sous-Terre. down
Danger points when Böötle on the Rhone
On weekdays, three times a week, a large boat with trash travels on the route; in that case, stay close to the shore.
Disembarkation points for Rhone-Böötle
The exit is on the right at the footbridge, the Passerelle du Lignon. From here you can reach the bus stop "Vernier, Lignon-Cité" via the footpath to the settlement Le Lignon in about 10 min. The bus of line 7 leaves every 15 min to Geneva.
Rhine Valley boat
On the Rheintaler Binnenkanal you sail between Montlingen in Sankt Gallen to Au about 12 km on the shallow canal, without any danger spots. Approximately three to four hours of sailing will let you enjoy the Bregenz Forest Mountains.
You cross a former peat bog, today's Nature Reserve Bannriet. At a staircase on the left bank you have a possibility to moor. There are shady trees and a barbecue area. Up to Au, the current is good enough, so there is hardly any paddling to be done.
If you like, you can extend the Böötle two more kilometers to Sankt Margrethen, or even another six kilometers to the mouth into Lake Constance at Marina Altenrhein. However, these last kilometers are very flat and often blocked with trees. For this, you need flat army inflatable boats, such as those rented from the Steigmatt-Hof in Montlingen.
Boat launching points on the Rhine valley
- on the right below the small power station Montlingen
Danger points for the Rheintal-Böötle
- none, but the water is very cold and hardly suitable for swimming
- the canal can be forded if necessary (80 cm depth)
- Caution with anglers
Disembarkation points for Böötle on the Rhine Valley
- The stairs on the right side in front of the steel arch bridge at Au station are suitable for disembarking.
- At the Bruggerhorn in St. Margrethen
Thur-Böötle
The Thur is considered a torrent and is also suitable in places for a Böötle. The Thur is particularly scenic on its way to the High Rhine. A very beautiful stretch leads from Gütighausen to Andelfingen. You need about three hours for just under ten km. If you still haven't had enough, the ride simply continues. In Flaach is the last exit before the mouth of the Rhine. After that, there is no further exit point because of the Nature Reserve Thurauen before the Mouth of the High Rhine. Swimming is also not allowed here. The next exit is then possible in Rüdlingen after a total of 17 km and 4.5 hours.
The water level can also rise quickly in the last section of the river after major rainfall in the headwaters. The recommended water flow rate is between 10 and 100 m3/s.
Points of entry for a Thur-Böötle
- Gütighausen left side of river at Asperhof (Thur parking lot)
- before the Thur bridge in Gütighausen on the right side of the river; this place is often used and the parking lot is often very full (if there is no parking space left at the bridge, you go about 80 m further to the right onto a field strip), watering in is easy here
Danger points at the Thur-Böötle
- from Gütighausen the Thur can be navigated without any problems, there are no dangerous spots, only some river bends and slight swells have to be observed
- The cantonal police of Thurgau has published a leaflet on the Thur-Böötle. In this leaflet there is an urgent warning against driving on the stretch between the Altiker bridge near Altikon and the Thurgau border. However, safe navigation is possible from the height of Asperhof / Gütighausen.
- At the Thurspitz, i.e. the confluence with the High Rhine, turbulence is possible.
Disembarkation points for a Thur-Böötle
- Wooden bridge in Andelfingen (with connection to public transport, there are hardly any parking spaces here) you can take out at the campsite on the right or at the slipway
- Andelfingen Pünten left (big parking lot)
- Andelfingen Alten Thurbrücke left (parking lot)
- Flaach Thurbrücke right last watering place before the mouth of the Rhine, parking spaces available, but scattered further away in the forest
Photos Source:
- aarelauf.ch
- marinatravel.ch
- regionale2025.ch
- stoecklisport.ch
- city-zuerich.ch
- Ticino Tourism Agency (ATT SA)
- Bern Welcome
- Stephan Regli