Rollin' on the River

As the snow melts on the Pyrenees, the Noguera Pallaresa River in Lleida comes into its own as a center for whitewater adventures. The river’s source is in the Aran Valley, and it travels 146 kilometers before merging with the Segre River. Descending from 2,000 meters above sea level, the river is at its fullest and fastest in the spring and early summer, attracting adrenaline junkies from all over Spain and beyond. Just 42 kilometers of the river are navigable, and there are are a host of adventure sports companies offering every imaginable river experience near the little town of Sort, which the Noguera Pallaresa runs through.

The river has sections suited to different levels, from gentle to fast-flowing. Rafting is an exhilarating way to enjoy some spectacular nature and as you descend the river you’ll take in the dramatic valleys and ravines of the Pyrenees landscape. Rafts carry six to eight people and the guide sits at the back to steer and tells you when to paddle. Don’t worry if you have no previous experience—you’ll be fully kitted out and receive some basic training before you get into the water. The season runs from March 15 to October 15, but the best months to go are April, May and June, when the river is at its fullest.

Rafting

For the uninitiated, there are a surprising number of ways to get down a river. The most popular is rafting which is usually done in a Zodiac-style dinghy that holds six to eight occupants as well as the instructors. Descents take place on several different stretches of the river, according to how experienced the participants are. The easiest stretch, suitable for beginners and children (over 10), is the 18 kilometers from Llavorsí to Sort which is fairly gentle and takes just a couple of hours to get down. The experienced rafter can opt for the more thrilling 42-kilometre descent from Llavorsí to Figuereta. This is done as a day trip including lunch or a picnic.

Hydrospeeding

For the very intrepid, hydrospeeding—also called riverboarding—has you taking the rapids headfirst on a "river bob" (a kind of bodyboard) which you lie on with your upper body and grip firmly with your hands. Flippers on your feet help you negotiate the rapids while a wetsuit and additional protective gear protect you from bumps and scrapes. You'll get tossed about a good bit as you rush along the rolling river, so this adventure is only recommended for strong swimmers. Not for the fainthearted!

Bus-Bob

The bus-bob popped up on the whitewater sports scene in the late 1990s. Similar in many ways to rafting, it's a fun way to get down the river with a group of friends. It consists of an elongated pneumatic craft which holds up to seven people, one seated behind the other. The key to a successful descent lies in keeping your balance, as there are no foot fastenings. The guide sits at the front shouting instructions to the crew, who are strongly advised to do as they’re told.

Canyoning

A different way to enjoy the river, canyoning (barranquismo) combines both mountaineering and potholing techniques with walking through water and some swimming. It’s hard work but also immensely satisfying and people are often hooked after one outing. With a wetsuit, helmet and tools such as ropes and harnesses, participants descend the walls of canyons and ravines, pass through narrow gorges and even cross small waterfalls as they follow the riverbed.

Other activities on offer in Sort include bungee-jumping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and horseback riding. All the companies listed here have highly-qualified guides and protective gear to ensure that whatever you try your hand at, you’ll have a good time and get home in one piece.  

Sort itself is a small town with a population of just over 2000. It is best known for its lottery ticket shop, which claims to have a disproportionate number of lottery winners. Perhaps convinced by the town’s name—it means "luck" in Catalan—people travel from far and wide to buy their El Gordo lottery tickets here. Friendly and welcoming, the town doesn’t have a lot else going on, but, if you’re here to enjoy the river sports, chances are that you’ll be too exhausted at the end of the day to want much more than a hearty dinner and an early night.

Where to Go

Rafting Llavorsí

Rafting Llavorsí has all the river activities plus quads, climbing, horseback riding, hiking, parasailing, hot-air balloon rides, mountain biking and a park with zip lines. Packages on offer include various accommodation options, from hostel-style rooms to self-catering apartments or hotels. Rafting costs €24 for a shorter child-friendly outing, to €41 for a morning or €80 for a full-day with lunch included. And, for anyone in your group who prefers to take things easy, there is a spa package available. raftingllavorsi.cat

Turisnat Pirineus

Turisnat has a number of packages available. The family weekend package for €99 per person (€65 for children aged 10 and under) includes two nights accommodation and breakfast in the rural hotel Borda de Ritort, plus either horseback riding or rafting, and lunch. If you’re just going up for the day, Turisnat offers a morning of rafting along 14 kilometers for €45, or a longer, 40-kilometer stretch for €85 which includes a gourmet dinner. turisnatsort.com

La Rafting Company

This rafting center is known for its friendly, expert guides.  Prices start at €45 for the morning outing, which covers a 17km-stretch of the river. More  experienced rafters can enjoy La Rafting Company’s one-day rafting and picnic option for €90. An afternoon option for families is the 14km route from Arboló to Figuereta, which costs €45 for adults and €30 for children. If one of your party prefers terra firma, they can chose from horseback riding, via ferrata, guided treks, climbing in the nearby mountains and mountain-bike tours. laraftingcompany.com

Rafting Rubber River

Besides morning (€45) and full-day (€85) rafting outings, Rubber River offers a 5km stretch just for children which costs €30. The center is run in conjunction with the Florido Hotel, a very welcoming two-star hotel in Sort with extensive gardens and an outdoor pool. There are excellent value weekends on offer, such as the "Pallaresa Experience," which includes one night in the hotel and a rafting trip from €85 per person. Or the "Pastís Infern," which includes two nights in the hotel plus a rafting trip and another activity (hidrospeeding, canoeing, horseback riding or canyoning) from €130 per person. In addition to all the usual river adventures the center also offers bungee jumping, paintball and paragliding. rubber-river.com

Getting There

It takes about three hours to drive to Sort from Barcelona. If you don't have a car, Alsa has a service between Barcelona and Sort which takes about five hours. 

Originally published May 2017, Updated May 1, 2021.