White water rafting (and kayaking) is all about churning rapids, spectacular scenery and access to some of the most remote places on Earth.
Whether you’re ready to be thrown into the rough stuff by the ultimate Class V raft-eater or prefer your whitewater frothy but friendly (see the rafting levels of difficulty classification here), there are plenty of places to go get an adrenaline fix on the river.
From the a half day on the bubbling source waters of the River Ganges to a multi-day journey through the Grand Canyon on the mountainous walls of the Colorado River, here are some of the best places on the planet to have the ride of your life.
North America
Colorado River – Grand Canyon
This is the big daddy of whitewater, but it has something for everyone, with an astonishing 226 miles of churning big waves and big holes, combined with gentle drifting sections and spectacular canyon views.
Arizona’s Grand Canyon also has one-day options, but it’s more focused on long trips, with the full run from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead taking almost three weeks, including two big hits at Crystal Rapids and Lava Falls in the Lower Canyon.
Salmon River – Middle Fork
This 105-mile journey through the largest roadless section of the USA outside Alaska offers near-continuous whitewater, with up to 100 rapids set amongst stunning spruce forests and valleys deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Trips usually take six days, starting at Boundary Creek – although this can pitch you into heavy rough stuff in June’s low-water conditions – and are fine for beginners. Extending into the ‘River of No Return’ makes the trip more than 10 days.
Africa
Zambezi River – Batoka Gorge
One of the most raft-mangling rivers on the planet, this is not a place to be taken lightly. Rafting operators nickname it the ‘Slam-bezi’ for good reason.
The most popular section, a one-day ride that was first commercially rafted in 1981, begins close to the base of Victoria Falls and takes on 17 miles of non-stop pummelling adrenaline in a river not only filled with big volume rapids, but also plenty of crocs and hippos.
If the raft makes it through the ‘Gnashing Jaws of Death’ and ‘Washing Machine’ then it’s almost certain to be flipped at ‘Oblivion’ before the take-out. Just don’t open your mouth – because the Zambezi can make you sick.
South America
Fatalefu River – Bridge-to-Bridge
Pristine azure-blue glacier-fed waters surrounded by Patagonian mountains with grades for all levels make this a stunning rafting destination.
The river runs for 40 miles, with four separate sections including the 4.3-mile Bridge-to-Bridge zone, which has been compared to running all of the toughest Grand Canyon rapids – in a single day.
Other nearby tributaries provide calmer sections for beginners to build their skills, while rougher rapids and longer trips, with the treat of staying in camps with hot tubs, can be found further down river.
Australasia
Rangitikei
There are plenty of wild rides in New Zealand, but this one topped them all in the definitive book on the country’s whitewater adventures.
Don’t be fooled by the gentle start on this picturesque river because halfway through, once it reaches the gorge, a staircase of 10 rapids, each separated by deep ‘holding’ pools, makes it the perfect place for a adrenaline-filled river rafting run.
And, as you’d expect, the take-out point is right outside the door of a pub buzzing with adventurers’ tales.
Europe
Noce River – Val di Sol
The Dolomites are a playground for climbers and skiers, but the snowmelt from these spectacular saw-tooth mountains also feeds some of the best whitewater in Europe.
This run offers 16 miles of navigable whitewater, varying from the wild ride through the gorges of Mostizzolo to the moderate stretches between Fucine to Mezzana and Piano to Dimaro.
Sjoa River – Heidal
Feeding its way through narrow canyons past tall waterfalls, this glacial-fed river has something for everyone, from families and first timers to expert paddlers – but prepare for icy waters.
The most popular and famous Heidal section provides 10 miles of big but friendly rapids that vary from large surf in higher water to more technical challenges in lower waters.
Further up river, the Åseng Canyon is a harder, bigger and more adventurous run, with no escape, as steep walls rise right up from the waters edge on either side of the river.
Tara River – Tara River Gorge
This river runs along the Montenegro border and through a UNESCO World Heritage protected canyon that's said to be second only to the Grand Canyon in scale.
There are more than 50 different rapids along its route, but it's the steep section from Brstanovica to Scepan Polje that's the most popular. Here, the pristine water drops through the gorge like a flooded staircase, with 11 miles of wild water and 21 high-grade rapids.