aare

The Aare, sometimes spelled Aar, is a major river in Switzerland and the longest river entirely within Swiss territory, with an approximate length of 295 kilometers. It rises in the Bernese Alps near the Grimsel Pass, where glaciers and high-valley streams contribute to its headwaters, and then flows northward across the Swiss plateau.

From its source, the Aare traverses the Bernese Oberland, passing notable towns and landscapes before entering the capital city, Bern, where the river runs along both sides of the old town and creates a series of scenic loops around the historic center. Continuing north, the Aare crosses the cantons of Bern, Solothurn and Aargau, passing through or near towns such as Olten and Aarau, and shaping the region’s geography and settlement patterns. The river ultimately reaches the Rhine at Koblenz, a Swiss town near the confluence of the two rivers.

The Aare basin is important for Switzerland's hydroelectric resources, with multiple plants and hydraulic infrastructures developed along its course to generate electricity. Culturally and recreationally, the river is a prominent feature in many cities and towns; in Bern the Aare’s banks are a landmark of the city, and around the country the river is used for swimming, boating, and fishing in appropriate sections. The Aare also influences the naming of the canton of Aargau and is a defining element of the northern Swiss landscape, shaping both ecology and regional infrastructure.