CONTENTS



Adrenaline-fuelled experience


INTRODUCTION TO WHITE WATER RAFTING



What’s so good about riding down a wild river, with all of its rapids, falls and spray, in the most rudimentary of watercraft, a raft? If you don’t have an answer to the question, this might not be the right outdoor adventure for you! White water rafting is a thrill seekers dream. It puts you at the mercy of the forces of nature but allows you to come out on top, clinging on for dear life and soaked to the skin, but with a huge smile on your face.

White water rafting can’t just happen by accident. Getting enough water to create rapids, whirlpools and falls, takes specific conditions. The landscape plays a large part in this. Uplands with high rainfall are where rapid rivers are born, so the best rafting opportunities in the UK are found in the Scottish Highlands and North Wales. Before we get onto the best rivers in these locations, we’ll cover the basics.

Grading rapids


The International Scale of River Difficulty classifies rivers by how rough they are. There are six Grades, I to VI, the first describing a lazy river without white water or obstacles and the sixth reserved for the most extreme torrents of water which should only be tackled by experienced adventurers.

In the UK, the most intense rivers tend to have stretches that reach a maximum of Grade IV. This means that there are rocks and other obstacles in the watercourse and rapids and falls that present a risk of capsizing. Most rivers will be given a range of Grades, for example I - III, as the intensity and difficulty of the route will vary from one section to the next.

The different types of raft


When you picture white water rafting, you probably see a large inflatable craft with 6 or 8 people sitting in a double row, using paddles to control the raft and led by a guide sitting at the back. This is your standard white water raft, but it’s not the only kind. For more experienced rafters, a funyak is an option. This is essentially an inflatable kayak with space for two people who each use a double bladed paddle. Then there are a couple of raft shapes for individuals: tubes, which are beefed-up rubber rings, and bugs, which are either horseshoe-shaped open rings or inflatable tablets that the rafter uses like a bodyboard. To find out more about the options, read our article titled “Up a creek without a raft? We’ve got 5 to choose from!”

What to pack for a rafting excursion


The rafts used in this sport are pretty specialist pieces of kit, but you don’t need to worry about getting your own. When you book a white water rafting experience from an outdoor activity provider, the raft is included, as is the safety equipment. You’ll be given a helmet, a wetsuit and a buoyancy aid. Some providers will also give you footwear, more often than not, you should bring a pair of lace-up trainers to wear during the trip. You’ll also need a swimsuit and a towel, as well as a set of warm, dry clothes to put on afterwards. There’s more information about this in our article “What - and what not - to wear when white water rafting.


Guided white water experiences


THE HIGHLANDS REGION



The Highland council area covers a huge area of the north of Scotland - a wild land of mountains and glens, lochs and, of course, fast-flowing rivers. The rafting hotspots are Fort William in the west and Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park.

1. River Garry


Fort William is the base camp for Ben Nevis, but it’s not just hikers who flock to this town on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Watersports fanatics are found here in droves, and those with an appetite for white water rafting won’t be disappointed by the River Garry. Located about half an hour’s drive from the town, this river contains rapid sections of Grades II - IV which have been affectionately named by white water guides with monikers such as Surf’s Up, the Tunnel of Love and Double or Quits. Want to find out the stories behind these names? You’ll have to experience them for yourself!

Runs down the Garry are available once a week in the spring, summer and autumn. That regularity is due to the fact that it’s a dam-release river, only possible to raft when water comes tumbling down the course from a highland loch. Though that means you don’t have so much choice over the day of your experience, it does mean that rafting it isn’t dependent on the weather.

2. River Findhorn


Rising in the Monadhliath Mountains in the central Highlands and meeting the North Sea in the Moray Firth, the River Findhorn is among the longest rivers in Scotland. It’s also one of the fastest-flowing, and the only river in the country to offer Grade III rapids throughout the year. These rapid stretches - Carnage Corner a Dragon’s Tooth, to name a couple - are all-natural and they alternate with calm sections, making the Findhorn a fantastic choice for adrenaline junkies who also know how to appreciate the majestic scenery of Scotland.

3. River Spean


The headwaters of the River Spean are in the same area as those of the Findhorn, but they flow in the opposite direction, to the west coast. And how do they flow! The rafting opportunities on the Spean are exciting and appropriate for all ability levels. However, they are also weather dependent; after a dry spell, rafting isn’t possible. Keep an eye on the forecast and take advantage of rainy periods!

4. River Orchy


The River Orchy is actually in Argyll and Bute, but trips run from Fort William and other outdoor adventure hubs in the Highlands. We have to mention it because it offers the wildest white water ride in the British Isles, with rapids that reach a whopping Grade V. To make it even more challenging, the level of the river drops significantly in summer, so this is a cold-water experience. As such, the Orchy is reserved for veteran rafters.


Rapid rivers in Scotland and Wales


PERTH AND KINROSS



Perth and Kinross is in Northeast Scotland. Although not part of the Highlands administrative region, it doesn't lack mountainous terrain or upland rivers for rafting. If you want to experience white water in this area, your best options are the towns of Aberfeldy, Grandtully and Pitlochry, where many outdoor activity providers are based.

5. River Tay


Flowing east and then south from the largest loch in the region, Loch Tay, the River Tay carries a high volume of water. This means that, although there are points where the water flows very fast, the going never gets particularly tough. With rapids that rarely exceed Grade II, the Tay is an excellent choice for first-timers and families with young children. Some rafting rides on this river are suitable for children as young as 6 years old.

6. River Tummel


Although a tributary of the Tay, the River Tummel is a different story. It rises at a higher altitude and so descends faster, churning the waters into a white water torrent. Rafting the Tummel is an exciting experience which features rapids of Grades II to IV, with the possibility of Grade V depending on recent rainfall. If you’ve had a go on the Ray and want something more, and you're over 16 years old, this is the river for you.


Rafting on the River Dee


WALES

 

7. River Dee


You didn’t think they were all going to be in Scotland did you? Anyone who knows the geography of the United Kingdom can tell you that some of the highest mountains and most dramatic landscapes are found in Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. A large part of the rainfall of the area ends up in the River Dee which, on its way to the sea (meeting the Irish Sea in Cheshire), creates some of the best - and most reliable - rapids in the country.

The best stretch is the final few miles before the river reaches the Denbighshire town of Llangollen. There’s a ruthless series of rapids and falls here, starting from Horseshoe Falls and passing through Tombstone Falls, the Serpent’s Tail and Factory Falls. The intensity ranges from Grades I to III, or possibly IV depending on conditions. Rafting of three kinds - standard, tubing and bugging - is available here.

8. Afon Tryweryn


Number 8 on our list is a rafting route of 8 kilometres, found on the Afon Tryweryn in Gwynedd. Unlike the Dee, this isn’t a natural rapid route. In fact, rafting can take place because of the reservoir known as Bala Lake. There’s a regular programme of dam releases, each of which fills the watercourse of the Tryweryn to the perfect height for white water, which knuckle, descents.

The first part of the route is pretty intense, containing Grade III and IV rapids. After that, there’s a more leisurely Grade I to II stretch which can be experienced separately before, finally, the river plunges down Bala Mill Falls where it joins the young River Dee. Afon Tryweryn is one of the few places in the country where you can have a go in a funyak. These kayak-style inflatables are on offer alongside standard rafts.


Rafting in the UK


BONUS WHITE WATER EXPERIENCES



We know what you’re thinking, these rivers sound beautiful and exciting, but also pretty remote. Have no fear! The biggest cities in England, Wales and Scotland have urban white water centres featuring artificial rapid routes suitable for rafting, canoeing and kayaking. The most impressive is probably the Lee Valley White Water Centre which was built to host the canoe slalom in the London 2012 Olympic Games. It’s a 300-metre course that involves a 5.5-metre drop from start to finish, and plenty of splashes, swirls and spray on the way.

Cardiff International White Water was built around the same time. It’s also an Olympic-standard facility, located in the redeveloped Cardiff Bay area and hosted numerous Olympic teams as they prepared for the 2012 games. In Glasgow, Scotland, you’ll find the Pinkston Watersports where, alongside kayaking, you can try white water tubing.


Inflatable white water raft



So there you have it, eleven locations for white water rafting. Will you start close to home at an urban watersports centre before making the journey to the mountains, or jump straight into a white water river? You'll find that we have an extensive list of opportunities for rafting in the UK, so the choice is your hands.