The fastest waters in Spain: where can I find them?

With the cold that doesn't seem to arrive and the desire for adventure still latent after returning to work, there is nothing better than looking for the whitewater rivers to refresh the body and mind.

The Adventure activities aquatic activities, such as rafting, hydrospeed or open water canoeing (openkayak), are perfect to get your adrenaline in tune; although they require some learning or mastery of the technique, especially in the more technical sections.

In the Iberian Peninsula we have rivers for all tastes and descents for all difficulty levels. But, if you are reading this, it is because risk is your thing.

Discover the fastest waters in Spain and get ready to enjoy water sports with the selection of rivers that we propose.

Noguera Pallaresa

The court of rafting is in the Pyrenees, and the king, in its own right, is the Noguera Pallaresa. A river with a name and surname, cradle of this sport in Spain. Considered by many to be one of the best rivers for practicing aquatic activities in Europe.

Do openkayak or rafting in the Noguera Pallaresa is to embark on a unique adventure, with steps of different levels of difficulty (up to a grade IV rapid) and the incredible landscape of the Lérida Pyrenees as a frame.

The complete commercial route covers about 52 kilometers and goes from Llavorsí to Figuereta. It can be done in about 7 hours (lunch stop included), which gives an idea of the speed this river carries. If that seems too much, you can do the descent of the section from Llavorsí to Rialp, 14 kilometers. It is one of the most exciting and fun, and is listed as grade III (intermediate level).

The most experienced, however, will prefer to make the crossing in a higher section of the river. From Alos d'Isil to the Borén dam, the descent is very technical and powerful (level IV-V); For this reason, it is only recommended to canoeists with extensive experience.

Ara River

This river, whose source is located in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido Natural Park, is considered the most extreme in Spain, with steps that reach grade IV+.

As there is no dam along its route, descent is only possible during the spring months, when the snow accumulated in the Natural Park melts. The melting of snow, together with the strong slope that the river accumulates, makes the waters run fast and rough during these months.

The main section is located between Torla and Broto, and is about 7 kilometers long. In addition to being exciting, it is a very beautiful route, nestled between spectacular canyons and typically alpine vegetation.

The descent is only suitable for people of legal age, with good physical condition and, of course, a good level of swimming. In addition, it is advisable that the crew's boats be accompanied by a safety kayak guide.

Gallego River

Located in the Aragonese Pyrenees, the Gállego River is one of the most attractive for rafting and canoeing. In it we find sections that go from level II to IV, especially during the thaw, when there is greater flow.

One of the busiest sections starts from Sabiñánigo to Murillo de Gállego, past the Mallos de Riglos gorge. But you don't have to travel that long to enjoy a good descent.

Taking the classic route, which starts from the Peña dam and reaches Murillo (a good 12 kilometers), you will have a wonderful rafting route on the Gállego River not without emotion. This is a grade III section, in which you can find some grade IV passes, where you will have to pay all your attention to stay on track.

The best, however, is the landscape; with the impressive views of the Mallos de Riglos watching over your journey.

Esera River

Another of the great Pyrenean rivers is the Ésera. It is born in the Posets Maladeta Natural Park and collects water from melting ice in the highest areas of the mountain range. As with its country rivers, the landscape it crosses is enviable, and the descent is full of emotion.

The descending section runs between the towns of Campo and Santa Liestra, about 11 kilometers. Until the Sirga pass, the route is for the whole family (grade II-III), easy but also very entertaining. You will pass some small rapids and backwater areas where you can rest and take a swim.

From this point on, however, things get more interesting. The Las Pirámides gorge is a stretch characterized by large stone blocks that emerge from the river, forcing you to use your best paddler skills to avoid them. Here, the level of descent rises to grade IV; although you will have no problems overcoming it accompanied by a good guide.

Esca River

In the Roncal valley we find another of the most beautiful descents in the Pyrenees. The Esca River, from the town of Burgui (in Navarra) to Sigüés (in Zaragoza) offers a grade IV route with good rapids and canyoned passes.

This is the only descent of this level in Navarra, and it usually takes place in spring, during the thaw. The landscape is also completely unique. Once past the town of Salvatierra, the river enters the Foz de Burgui, an abrupt gorge excavated by the river that serves as home to numerous birds of prey.

The excitement is guaranteed throughout the descent, with mythical steps such as the Rulo de Adolfo, until reaching the picnic area located next to the river in the town of Sigüés.

Ebro Canyon

The Ebro River has several sections suitable for descent as it passes through the provinces of Cantabria and Burgos.

Due to the different levels of difficulty of these sections, the Ebro is suitable for people with more or less experience, and for the practice of a wide variety of water sports. One of the most exciting and fun activities you can do is a river SUP route in Alto Ebro, in Cantabria.

In Burgos, things change. The river passes through an impressive canyon here, as it passes through the Hoces del Ebro and Rudrón Natural Area, which gives rise not only to an incredible landscape, but also to powerful rapids and technical passes.

The section from Orbaneja del Castillo to Quintanilla-Escalada is the most complex. The rapids that are crossed reach level IV, although you will pass through some quiet areas where you can catch your breath. From Quintanilla, the descent is again calmer, suitable for all levels, although no less spectacular.

River Cares

One of the mythical rivers of the Picos de Europa is the Cares. Although it is mainly known for the beautiful hiking route that crosses its gorge, the truth is that this river is also perfect for whitewater rafting.

Although the Cares River originates in León, most of its route runs through Asturias, and that is where the best sections for its descent are found. The most exciting part begins in Arenas de Cabrales. It is an 8-kilometer stretch of level III-IV, with crystal clear waters, constant rapids and a lot of unevenness. This section is perfect for rafting.

A little further down, in Niserias, the easy section begins; the best for a canoe route along the Cares River. It has rapids, although not so intense, and good areas where you can rest and enjoy the spectacular beauty that surrounds you. The route is about 10 kilometers and ends in Panes, right where the Cares joins the Deva river.

Deza River

The most powerful river in Galicia is the Deza, a tributary of the Ulla River barely 50 kilometers long. On its descent we find grade IV passes and even some grade V; so only those who already have enough experience can do it.  

Another aspect to keep in mind is that you can only descend during the high rainy season, so it is only practicable for a couple of months a year, normally during winter.

Apart from that, the truth is that it is a unique river full of surprises. The section that is descended goes from Bascuas to Cira, a few meters from its mouth into the Ulla River. It is 8 kilometers long and during it you cross an area of native forest, with alders, willows and ash trees.

The narrowness of its channel and the rocks that get in the way force you to continually maneuver and stay alert to avoid different obstacles. A river, in short, that promises an exhausting but exciting day.

Alto Tajo

Moving away from the north, we also find rivers with good flow that offer exciting descents. One of them is the Tagus, especially in its upper section.

Although at its source, in Teruel, this river carries little water, shortly after it receives the waters of the Hoz Seca and begins to increase its flow. One of the most interesting aspects of this river is the transparency of its waters, which allow you to see the bottom even in the deepest pools, 10 meters below.

As for the descent, those who do not have experience can start on the section from Taravilla to Peñalén, in Guadalajara. There are 7 kilometers of medium-low difficulty route (grade II); although in some points, if there is flow, it can reach grade III. This stretch of rafting in the Alto Tajo It is perfect for a descent without risk but full of emotion.

If you want something stronger, a little higher, from Peralejos de las Truchas to Taravilla, you have an 8-kilometer descent in which you will find grade III+ passes. And if you are already an expert, in Zaorejas, 30 kilometers downstream from Taravilla, there is a grade IV pass known as El Infranqueable. There it is.

Júcar Sickles

The Júcar River crosses the province of Cuenca, leaving behind impressive landscapes, such as the Hoces del Júcar, which make navigation through it a truly interesting activity.

If you do not have experience in rowing, you can do the commercial canoeing tour on the Júcar River, which goes from Villalba de la Sierra to almost the capital of the province itself. It is an easy, level II section, about 5 kilometers long. The rapids here are gentle and there is no shortage of backwaters to take a dip and even a small river beach where you can stop to rest.

Upstream from Villalba, however, there is a different route, which crosses the Júcar canyons, only suitable for experienced canoeists. It is a short but intense section, of medium-high level (grade III-IV), which runs between vertical walls just a couple of meters wide.

Two kilometers of authentic concentrated emotion.

Guadalfeo River

In case you thought otherwise, in Andalusia there are also options to enjoy rafting and canoeing with maximum excitement.

The Guadalfeo River, in the province of Granada, is the highest level in the entire Autonomous Community, with passes that reach grade III-IV. It is an advanced level descent that can be done in spring or winter, since it requires rain or melting snow from the Sierra Nevada.

The complete descent crosses the Alpujarras from the Cortijo del Granaillo to the Rules dam. There are 11 kilometers of route that can be divided into two parts. The first part, to the Roman bridge of Órgiva, is the quietest (not boring). This stretch of rafting on the Guadalfeo River It is perfect to get started in the activity and to have a fun time.

From the Órgiva bridge onwards the descent becomes more active, with numerous obstacles that must be avoided and fairly high rapids. This section requires more effort and good coordination with your group if you do it rafting.

The river feeds both the fisherman and the canoeist, although in different ways. The fisherman's stomach is full; to the canoeist, the spirit. Risk lovers seek out wild rivers because they know that their waters, white and fast, have the perfect force to cause tachycardia. Which, sometimes, are worth it. Especially when they suffer for the sake of adventure.