Rafting and canoeing in the Béarn

Do you want to try rafting or canoeing in Béarn? Before you get started, the Béarn Guide has covered the subject for you and reveals everything you always wanted to know about rafting, the differences with canyoning and the best spots in Béarn. You will see, Béarn is THE ideal region for canoeing and rafting! In the heart of the Pyrenean mountains, you will descend the Gaves of Oloron, Aspe or Ossau… We take you to discover this mountainous country in a new light, fill up on thrills and have fun with family or friends.

Opening photo: Rafting 64 offers you descents on the superb Gave d'Oloron, from Navarrenx and Sauveterre-de-Béarn. Photo © Rafting 64

Rafting, canyoning, canoeing, how to make your choice?

To begin with, let's clarify the term: Rafting is a "descent on a raft". The "raft" is an inflatable boat with several places. Rafting is therefore a team sport. This is why it is so popular with companies, for Team Building outings between their employees. During the holidays, you can hurtle down the Béarn torrents with your family or a group of friends. If you are alone, don't worry. You will join a group formed by the agency and led by a specialist guide.

If you hesitate between rafting and canyoning, here is a little explanation. Canyoning is a "canyon descent". The two activities therefore have the same objective. You start from the top of a mountain if possible and go down the river, by various means. And this is the main difference between the two. For canyoning, you use your body. Swimming, sliding, jumping, abseiling, sometimes climbing, are on the menu. While for rafting you have a boat and a canoe paddle. The difficulty is to succeed in mastering it. You will therefore have to learn to navigate in rough waters! The selected watercourse also conditions the activity because for rafting, you need a sufficient level and flow to pass the raft, which is not the case for canyoning.

The difference between canoeing and rafting plays out well here too. Canoeing is practiced in rather calm water, on a river or a large river for example, even if there may be more sporting passages depending on the chosen Gave. While the challenge of rafting is to descend rushing torrents, with obstacles, such as rocks or falls.

How to practice rafting?

Rafting is a whitewater sport, very complete, but which does not require specific training. You just have to know how to swim. For children, there is therefore a minimum age, around 6 or 7 years old.

Rafting can adapt to all levels and physical conditions. Of course, in the case of an initiation, you will be guided, on a quieter stream. Subsequently, you can face steeper, more technical, or longer courses, where you need physical endurance.

It is practiced all year round. In terms of the equipment required, you usually have nothing to plan, except a swimsuit and a towel! The clubs take care of everything and equip you with wetsuits, helmets, life jackets...

Rafting spots in the Gaves Béarnais

This outdoor sport reveals another facet of the Pyrenees mountains. It takes you off the beaten track, to little corners of paradise, accessible only by the river. You will live an extraordinary experience there, in the heart of the wild and unspoiled nature of Béarn.

The Gave d'Oloron is recommended for an initiation or a family discovery. Large portions are wide and quiet. Some passages are more sporty to offer you good sensations, but without difficulty. You will make beautiful observations of animals and birds. Rafting 64 offers baptisms, discovery or adventure courses.

The same goes for the Gave de Pau, which combines passages that are a little more sporty, with others that are quieter. The spots of the Flip Flap wave and the Pont des Grottes are famous and used for competition. On the other hand, on certain portions, you can even try Stand Up Paddle, to admire the landscape at your own pace. Ohlala Eaux Vives can rent you all kinds of boats.

On the nautical base of Seix, you can sail on the Gave d'Aspe. It is a dynamic descent, but without technicality or particular difficulty that awaits you.

The Gave d'Oloron is clearly more sporty. It is more famous for canyoning, due to the water level being too low on certain passages. You can raft it down only during spring. On the other hand, it has beautiful rapids, where you will be full of sensations. It is a beautiful canyon, with crystal clear waters, which will delight nature lovers and experienced sportsmen.

The Gave d'Ossau is also only accessible in spring. The river is meandering, with a lot of rapids. It offers sports and technical rafting courses. Like the Gave d'Oloron, it is reserved for an informed public. The setting is wild and very unspoiled, but you will find little access to the banks and therefore the possibility of breaks.

Our good addresses for canoeing in Béarn

Canoeing is an activity accessible to all, without any particular physical condition. You must know how to swim and be able to paddle. The various offers most often correspond to a duration of the course, rather than to a sporting level.

You can practice it alone or in pairs, because the canoes are single or two-seater. The boat itself is very light and all the Gaves can be navigated by canoe, in all seasons (depending on their level). When the level is too low, you will make it slide… The advantage is that you can easily stop to take a break, admire the scenery or go for a swim.

Here is our directory of providers in Béarn, for canoe rental.

You are now ready to discover Béarn differently, along the water. We wish you beautiful sports walks.

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