Rafting Path stage 2: Hottwil-Stilli

Rafting was a thriving trade in the 19th century. The rafters skillfully transported their wood down the great rivers, including from Stilli via the Aare and Rhine to Laufenburg. The return route was on foot through the picturesque Mettauertal, where the rafters could recover from their exertions with a cool beer at the Gasthaus zum Bären in Hottwil.

On the Rafting Path you walk the land route of the rafters: traditionally from Laufenburg to Stilli or in the opposite direction. The entire rafting path is 20 km long and takes about 5h 45min. The route can be walked in either direction and divided into stages:

The second stage from Hottwil to Stilli leads from the Mettauertal over the Rotberg and through the vineyards and Villigen to Stilli on the Aare. 

At the Aare, information panels tell about the forgotten rafting trade. The stage can basically be hiked in both directions. However, the information panels tell the story of a young rafter and are best read in the direction from Stilli to Hottwil. 

To the first stage from Laufenburg to Hottwil

To the entire Rafting Path route

The rafting path was realized in 2002 by the Rafting Path Association and the neighboring communities.

Construction works season 2025: From 01.05.2025 to 30.11.2025, renaturation work will be carried out on the section at the Aare in Stilli. The path will remain continuously open but will not run along the water during this time, and construction traffic can be expected during the day from Monday to Friday. The rest of the rafting path is not affected by the work.