The area near Brugg called the Water Castle is dominated by three rivers at once: Aare, Reuss and Limmat. With pristine shores and untouched islands they attract people who enjoy nature. This is the place to grab a rubber raft and go exploring!
Armed with paddles and rubber raft – this is the way to discover the Water Castle! Near the bridge in Brugg the Aare narrows and deepens, but then it leisurely spreads out again and merges with the two other rivers, the Reuss and the Limmat. This spectacle of nature, where more than 40 percent of Switzerland’s running water comes together, is called the Water Castle. It has nothing to do with a medieval castle, as boatman Christoph Flory explains to the surprised guests. “In German, the term is used in water technology in relation to convergence.” The guests on the rubber raft travelling from Brugg to Stroppel Island are entering an unspoiled realm of water. The boatmen and nature guides Christoph Flory and Dieter Humbel safely lead the way and entertain the guests with their personal stories of the Water Castle.
Smooth convergence
The gigantic willow trees on the river banks are obviously thriving here. With their strong roots, they are able to withstand the frequent floods – they even need them to survive, as Flory, a biologist, explains. “Everything is in flux, everything is changing. New shore areas and islands are created, while others are washed away.” The Reuss is the first river that smoothly joins the Aare, although it is the wildest and least developed of the three.
“If it rains heavily in the Entlebuch region, the colour of the Reuss turns brown. After it converges with the green Aare, the two rivers are still recognisable for a long time as two bands of different colours”, says Humbel.
In the animal kingdom
At Limmatspitz the Limmat flows into the Aare, and the duo becomes a trio. This is a good time to take a break and explore the headland on foot. It belongs to the environmental organisation Pro Natura. A wide variety of native animals live at Limmatspitz, and even a few exotic ones, such as highland cattle and water buffaloes. They are not just here to pose for pretty pictures. “Both have an ecological job. For example, the water buffaloes keep the ponds open when they take a bath, and this is where the endangered tree frogs live”, explains Humbel. Those who are hungry at the end of the tour may enjoy a sausage or a burger – or perhaps something meatless if you have grown too fond of these animals – in the pleasant garden of the aargauerwasser boathouse.
Offered by: aargauerwasser
Link to the offer.
Location: Brugg, Aargau
Timeframe: mostly in the summer season
Duration: several hours, depending on tour and needs
Languages: German, English
Cost: approx. CHF 400 per boat
Group size: 4 to 10 people per boat
Excerpt from the Living in Luzern magazine.
