Les Meilleures Destinations en Europe pour Pratiquer Le Rafting

If you are looking for thrills and want to share an unforgettable experience with friends, rafting seems to be a good solution.

Riding a river on an inflatable raft is an intense adventure that you will not soon forget. Rafting is an activity that consists of navigating in white water aboard a boat operated by a group of people with a paddle to navigate. The term “rafting” is derived from the English word “raft”, which means float. From the 1980s, rafting became very popular and today it is an essential activity for lovers of sport in the wild.

Note that these rafts are theoretically unsinkable and very stable, which allows you to cross currents that are sometimes quite violent that no other boat could pass (except kayaks). Put on your wetsuit, your life jacket and your helmet and off you go for a great experience to live with. The joy of paddling on the currents of a river with the cold water that comes to splash your face while trying to keep your balance.

Strong cohesion between teammates is recommended with a lot of communication between you, a good solution to build a team and test its confidence. A very good way to have a good time with family with a good dose of adrenaline in the process.
Rafting is now an activity that can be practiced on all continents of the globe but we have chosen to explore the best spots in Europe to start. Here is our selection of the most beautiful destinations on the old continent for rafting.

The Gorges du Verdon (France)

A sumptuous canyon dug by the Verdon between Pont-de-Soleils and Lake Sainte-Croix with a rafting descent always synonymous with great moments. Located between the Var and the Alpes de Haute-Provence, this canyon is above all the largest in Europe with 700 meters deep. One of the best known spots in France with a route that stretches for 45 km between Castellane and the lake of Sainte Croix.

This area is also nicknamed the Moyen-Verdon, to locate it in relation to the Bas-Verdon which goes to the Durance and the Haut-Verdon which goes back to the source of the Val d’Allos. Rafting takes place from Castellane to Rougon, on the first 21 kilometers of the Gorges.

This rafting trip is the best way to discover the Gorges du Verdon. It is accessible for the whole family from 6 to 66 years old. To share unforgettable moments as a team! On the course, there are different sections with rapids, slalom between the rocks and waterfalls.

For more sensations and maximum freshness, a stop is planned to learn swimming in the river and also try a jump of 2 meters high in the Verdon, as in canyoning!

Cetina river (Croatia)

Located a few kilometers from the coast, discover the beautiful canyon of the Cetina river in Omis with a descent of 10 kilometers which will take on average just over 3 hours.

On the program, more or less extreme descent aboard your inflatable raft but also some stops for a small swimming session, jumps from the rocks in the deep river, the observation of wild animals and plants, a shower under a waterfall.

As a bonus, you will explore a cave of fresh spring water with stalactites passing by a waterfall. After passing under a waterfall, you will enter the first room lit by superb reflections of daylight and swim about 12 meters through the fresh and potable spring water. To end your adventure,

The Noce River (Italy)

La Noce en Val di Sole (valley of the sun) is a 105 km long river flowing in the Italian Alps, it is a tributary of the Adige located in the alpine paradise of the Dolomites in northern Italy.

One of the longest routes in Europe with more than 28 km of waterways and without a doubt, one of the most conducive to rafting. Fueled by the melting of glaciers, the Noce river is famous for its smashing rapids which swirl in the gorges of Mostizzolo.

With its steep cliffs and snow-capped peaks that overlook your journey, this activity will also offer you sensations at the sight level because you have a breathtaking panorama all along the crossing.

Interlaken (Switzerland)

Rafting is always synonymous with fun and adventure and again, no previous experience is necessary. The Simme is a very fun class 3 river which is located in this beautiful picturesque Swiss valley. This white water outing is ideal for a group of family and friends looking for some action and fun.

Also discover the Lütschine River, by far the most exciting in the Bernese Oberland. The freezing winter snow melted under the spring sunshine and filled this river made up of exciting rapids. After a full briefing from experienced guides, you will embark on the rafts in the magnificent valley below the infamous Eiger with its sumptuous landscape of forests, mountains and lakes.

Murillo de Gallego (Spain)

Murillo de Gallego is the best rafting area in the Aragonese Pyrenees with the imposing Gallego river which flows through the province of Aragon and is 193.2 km long. Due to its imposing size, the river has different straits which are very popular for rafting and other whitewater activities (kayaking, cayonning …). Murillo de Gallego has above all the best rapid whitewater canals like Central de Carvavilla, Presa del Pantano de la Peña and the stretch from Sta to Puente.

Whatever the route and the choice of class depending on the difficulty, your crossing will last approximately 3 hours, all guided by certified rafting instructors.

The Isar in Munich (Germany)

Facing the magnificent panorama of the Bavarian Alps, you have the opportunity to share an adventure on the wild and romantic river Isar. A healthy outdoor activity surrounded by the beauty of nature and the great thrill of rafting.

Germany is a country internationally known for its art scene and magnificent engineering, but it is not a country that you immediately think of when looking for an adventure sport. Still, the southern region near Munich offers an incredible opportunity to raft in crystal clear waters with the quaint little towns along the course of the river as a backdrop. And for the more intrepid, know that it is even possible to type a surf session on this river!

Located on the Eisbach (a tributary of the Isar), a small artificial wave has been making surfers happy in the city center of Munich since 1972 (but authorized since 2012 only). In short, there is plenty to have fun on this German river.

Thonon les Bains (France)

Located in Haute Savoie, very close to Lake Geneva, the Dranse offers more than 15 kilometers of routes. It is one of the most beautiful whitewater sports sites in France with a route that crosses a delta classified as a natural reserve. A perfect mix between downhill sports and exploring an enchanting natural environment.

Note that the water of the Dranse is hot while it is an alpine river. Thanks to the dam, the flow of the river is regulated which allows rafting descents on a homogeneous current for the duration of the season. Inflatable and unsinkable boat, the raft is the most suitable boat to discover this river and its environment.

East & West Glacial River (Iceland)

We are now heading to the frozen waters of Iceland for an unforgettable rafting session. With its thermal springs by the river and its magnificent canyon landscapes, this circuit offers the whole family the opportunity to have fun with a paddle and explore the magnificent wild region of Iceland.

As you navigate the gentle rapids through the meanders and turns of this imposing gorge, take the opportunity to taste the hot cocoa from the natural kettle. Take a trip through this magnificent canyon to relax and admire a breathtaking landscape.

Whether you are east or west on this icy river, you will be exposed to simple rapids with fairly wide and clear canals. You will be provided with a very thick diving suit, but take a fleece anyway because temperatures are never very high in the region, this is also what makes this place so charming. For the bravest, a jump from the cliff is always possible because the water is quite deep.

The Ötztaler Ache (Austria)

The Ötztaler Ache is a river located in the Tyrol region in western Austria. This right tributary of the Inn and sub-tributary of the Danube is fed by the snow that melts in the Austrian Alps.

When spring arrives, the thaw increases the level of Ötztaler Ache by transforming it into a perfect place for white water sports. Splashing on cool, clear water, your raft will slide on the water while avoiding rocks and raising your adrenaline level.

The water is a little cold, which will help you stay focused … So, hang on to your boat and take a look at the incredible mountain range that surrounds the river. In Austria, the level of difficulty of white water is classified into 4 classes, from easy to difficult.