From Interlaken: Canyoning Chli Schliere

Chli Schliere is not a gentle introduction to canyoning. This is the big-challenge version, with waterfall rappels, jumps up to 10 meters, and slides reaching 15 meters when water conditions allow. You need to swim, listen closely, and keep moving even when your stomach says otherwise.

I like the mix of serious outdoor action and practical comfort. Professional guides lead the group, then you finish with a light lunch, a drink, changing rooms, and hot showers back at the Interlaken base. The main caution is simple: there are no alternate exits inside the canyon, so you must be sure this level of physical and mental pressure suits you.

Key points at a glance

• Jumps up to 10 meters: Water levels affect which jumps are open, but the route can be genuinely demanding.
• Slides up to 15 meters: Expect fast drops into deep sections of the gorge, not tame amusement-park slides.
• About one hour from Interlaken: The total outing lasts 7.5 hours, with transfer time included.
• Guides Mateo and Gerard: These instructors received special praise for clear leadership and a strong group atmosphere.
• Lunch, drink, and hot showers included: You can warm up and change at the Outdoor Interlaken base afterward.
• For confident swimmers only: Fear of heights, low fitness, or uncertainty about completing the route are serious reasons to skip it.

Why Chli Schliere is a serious canyoning day

Canyoning means working your way through a natural gorge using several skills in one trip. You may rappel beside waterfalls, slide along smooth rock, jump into pools, and move through narrow sections shaped by flowing water. Chli Schliere brings all of those elements together at a demanding level.

The setting is not the only attraction. The route is built around commitment. You cannot simply walk out halfway through, and there are no alternate exits inside the canyon. That makes the guides important, but it also puts responsibility on you to arrive ready.

This is best for an active person who wants a physical test, not for someone looking for a scenic outing with a few mild thrills. You do not need to be an expert canyoner, but you do need confidence, a good basic fitness level, and the ability to follow instructions under pressure.

The activity has a top rating from 42 verified bookings, and the strongest praise centers on the guides, the jumps, the slides, and the unusual nature of the route. That matches the practical picture: the people leading you matter almost as much as the canyon itself.

The one-hour transfer from Interlaken

Your day begins at the Outdoor Interlaken NEW Base. From there, the journey to Chli Schliere takes about 60 minutes. This transfer is part of the reason the activity takes 7.5 hours, so plan on giving the entire day to it.

The drive has one clear advantage: you can treat the canyon as a full-day outing rather than trying to arrange transport to a remote starting point yourself. The drawback is that the actual canyoning portion does not fill every minute of the advertised duration. If you are comparing activities by time in the water, keep the transfer in mind.

One practical point came up after an early start: a group may need to wait for other participants to arrive before leaving. A 30-minute wait was reported, so arriving on time does not always mean the vehicle departs immediately. Bring patience, especially if you have planned a tight evening schedule.

At the base, you receive the necessary canyoning equipment. You should bring swimwear, a towel, a jacket, cash, and a daypack. Large bags, luggage, cameras, and video recording are not allowed, so leave bulky belongings behind rather than arriving with a suitcase.

Getting fitted and prepared at the base

The equipment is included, as are professional guides who speak English and German. The supplied details do not specify every item in the kit, so you should not assume that personal extras are provided beyond the necessary canyoning equipment.

Your swimwear is worn under the gear, and the towel becomes important later when you return to the base. A jacket is also sensible because the day includes transfer time, changing periods, and time outdoors before or after the canyon section.

The guides are there to explain technique and keep the group moving safely. That does not make the route easy. One particularly useful warning is that you must be able to listen carefully and act on instructions, since poor decisions during a jump, slide, or rappel can lead to injury.

This is also where you should be honest with yourself about heights. If you are already uneasy about a 10-meter jump or a long rappel beside falling water, the pressure may build as the route continues. People afraid of heights are specifically advised not to take this trip.

Rappelling beside waterfalls

The canyon’s rappelling sections are among its main attractions. The route includes long rappel stations, with water and rock creating a more exposed setting than a simple indoor climbing wall or short training descent.

You will need to manage your body position and follow the guide’s directions while moving down. The practical skill is not just lowering yourself. It is staying calm, controlling your pace, and paying attention when the surroundings are noisy or intimidating.

The information provided does not give the exact number or height of every rappel, so you should not expect a fixed list of obstacles. Water levels affect the route and the size of some features. Your guide decides how the conditions shape the day.

That changing factor is part of the appeal, but it also means the activity cannot be judged by a single advertised height. A 10-meter jump or 15-meter slide may be available only under suitable conditions. The canyon remains challenging even when specific obstacles vary.

Jumps and slides into the gorge

The jumps are the part many people will picture first. Some can reach 10 meters, or about 32 feet, depending on water levels. These are not compulsory details to brush aside when booking. You need to be prepared for the possibility of making large jumps under instruction.

The slides can reach 15 meters, or about 49 feet. That is a long way to travel on wet rock before entering the water. The combination of speed, height, and uncertainty is what makes Chli Schliere a higher-level outing.

One participant described the jumps and slides as exhilarating and singled out the guides for making the experience work. Another said the activity required shelving fear and trusting the instructions while handling unusual jumps and slides. That is useful advice, as long as you read trust correctly: you still need to judge your own limits before booking.

You might find that one obstacle feels harder than its measurement suggests. A jump requires commitment, while a rappel asks for control. A slide may look simple but demand the right body position. The guides can coach you, but they cannot remove the need for courage and concentration.

The guides are a major part of the value

The strongest praise is directed at the guides and the way they manage the group. Mateo and Gerard were specifically named after one outing, with their ability to lead the group receiving special approval. Other feedback also highlights the guides and the fellow participants as a major part of the day.

That matters because a technical outdoor activity can become stressful if instructions are rushed or unclear. Here, the guides are responsible for explaining the moves, helping you understand the obstacles, and keeping the group working together.

You should still expect a group activity rather than a private adventure. The exact group size is not given, and one outing included a wait while other participants joined. That can slow the start, but once you are in the canyon, a shared sense of effort may make the difficult sections feel more manageable.

English and German are available. If you understand one of those languages well enough to follow safety directions quickly, you should be able to take part. This is not the place to rely on guessing what to do next.

Lunch, drinks, and a hot shower afterward

After the canyon, the day finishes with a picnic or light lunch and a drink. This is a welcome practical touch after several hours of exertion, although you should think of it as a light meal rather than a full restaurant lunch.

Changing rooms and hot showers are available at the base in Interlaken. That adds real value. You can leave the wet gear behind, warm up, and continue your evening without needing to return to your accommodation first.

The activity also includes a few free photos posted to the provider’s website, according to one participant. If you want images of yourself jumping and sliding, a separate video package is available for purchase. Cameras are not allowed during the activity, so you cannot rely on your own phone or action camera to record the day.

That photo policy is worth knowing before you go. You will need to choose between enjoying the action without filming and paying extra for the video package. The included photos may give you a reminder, but they are not the same as having a full record of every obstacle.

Is the $309 price fair?

At $309 per person, this is an expensive day out. The price makes more sense when you count the professional guides, canyoning equipment, transfer from Interlaken, light lunch, drink, and use of the base facilities.

You are also paying for access to a technically demanding route that would be difficult to arrange independently. The value is strongest if you want a full-service activity with safety leadership and equipment handled for you.

The price feels less convincing if you are unsure about canyoning or mainly want a pretty outdoor excursion. You could spend a lot and discover that the physical pressure is not enjoyable. Since the route has no alternate exits, this is not a good activity to book on a whim.

The optional video package is another possible extra cost. A few free photos are available, but you should budget separately if recording the full experience matters to you.

Who should book this canyon?

I would choose Chli Schliere if you are a confident swimmer, physically active, comfortable with heights, and eager for a real test. You should be able to jump, slide, rappel, and keep following instructions even when tired.

It suits adults and older teenagers who meet the requirements, but children under 14 are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, non-swimmers, people over 125 kilograms, or anyone with a low fitness level.

You do not have to be a seasoned canyoner. You do need the right attitude. If you want to try something new but already know that heights and fast water unsettle you, choose a gentler outing instead.

The best preparation is mental as much as physical. Arrive rested, bring the required clothing, and accept that the day may ask you to do things that look strange or intimidating from the edge. Listen carefully, and do not pretend to be more capable than you are.

Should you book Chli Schliere?

Book this tour if your idea of a good day near Interlaken includes big jumps, long slides, and waterfall rappelling, and you are certain you can complete the full route. The guides, included gear, transfer, lunch, and hot showers make the high price easier to justify for the right person.

Skip it if you are a non-swimmer, afraid of heights, out of condition, or hoping for an easy introduction. The lack of alternate exits is the deciding detail. Chli Schliere offers a memorable challenge, but you should book it because you are ready for that challenge, not because the photos look exciting.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity gives you some room if plans change, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available. Still, the most important decision comes before payment: be honest about your fitness, swimming ability, and confidence.

FAQ

How long does the Chli Schliere canyoning tour last?

The activity lasts 7.5 hours, including the transfer from Interlaken to the canyon and the return journey.

How far is the canyon from Interlaken?

Chli Schliere is about a one-hour drive from Interlaken.

How high are the jumps?

There are multiple jumps of up to 10 meters, or about 32 feet, depending on water levels.

How long are the slides?

The canyon has multiple slides of up to 15 meters, or about 49 feet, depending on water levels.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. The activity is suitable only for capable swimmers, and non-swimmers should not book it.

What languages do the guides speak?

Instruction is available in English and German.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, a jacket, cash, and a daypack.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. A light lunch and a drink are included after the canyoning activity.

Are cameras allowed?

No. Cameras and video recording are not allowed during the activity. An optional video package is available, and a few free photos are posted on the provider’s website.