Visit the Aar Gorges, in the heart of the cliffs and the Swiss river
♪ Aar Gorges ( Aareschlucht in German) are narrow gorges that have been cut through an imposing rocky limestone, in the Hasli Valley, close to the city of Meiringen , in Switzerland . The gorges were formed at the end of the last glacial era, about 10,000 years ago, when the torrential waters from the melting of glaciers eroded a deep and narrow swell through the limestone mountain, the "Kirchet". For thousands of years, the waters of the Aar continued to erode the limestone rock, sculpting a little more the throat, and giving a greenish shade to the whole. The gorges are about 1,400 meters long, and only a few meters wide at their base. The impressive cliffs can have a depth of up to 200 metres.
Since 1889, the gorges have been open to the public thanks to bridges steel built along the base of the cliff. At times, the passage passes through tunnels dug in the cliff wall. It is very easy to walk on these bridges. Before this passage was built, the only way was to pass through the dangerous stream of the river and many courageous souls actually made the journey into the water. They said there were great snakes and monsters. Since then, the gorge is a popular tourist attraction.
Nearby are the famous Reichenbach Falls , where the legendary Sherlock Holmes is supposed to have found death alongside evil genius Professor Moriarty.
The walking time through the gorges of the west entrance to the east entrance (or the reverse) is about 40 minutes. The visit lasts 1h30 for the return trip. You have the possibility to return by the outside of the gorges by the road and a marked path or return with the funeral of Reichenbach from the East station.
The Aar Gorges are open from April to late October by the west entrance and from May to mid-October by the east entrance. The price is 7,50 Swiss francs for an adult.
How do I go to the Aar Gorge from Meiringen?
Photo sources and info : 1 , 2
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