Four distinct tours now cover the Imst region with prices ranging from 58 € to 73 €. Most sessions run for 3h and are operated by Natur Pur, but they target different intensity levels. The Imster Schlucht route (58 €) is rated Occasionally sporty and serves as the right entry point if you have never sat in a raft before. The Ötztaler Ache route (73 €) steps up to Sporty and costs 15 € more, reflecting the stronger currents and technical demands of this glacial river fed by the Ötztal Alps. For those seeking a shorter duration, Wiggi Rafting GmbH and Cankick GmbH provide 24 min alternatives starting at 59 €. Pick the Imster Schlucht for a first experience or a mixed group. Go straight for the Ötztaler Ache if you want sustained whitewater and are comfortable in physically demanding conditions.
Rafting trip on the Imster Schlucht near Imst
At 58 €, the Natur Pur trip on the Imster Schlucht offers a 3h introduction rated Occasionally sporty with real whitewater.
Rafting trip on the Ötztaler Ache near Imst
The Ötztaler Ache route at 73 € is rated Sporty, delivering the strongest currents and highest technical demands in the region.
Rafting trip on the Ötztaler Ache near Imst
If you are short on time, Wiggi Rafting GmbH offers a 24 min run through the Imst Gorge for 59 €.
The Ötztaler Ache is the most intense route available. It carries glacial meltwater from the Ötztal Alps and is classified as Sporty, one level above the Imster Schlucht, which sits at Occasionally sporty.
No prior experience is required for the Imster Schlucht runs. The Ötztaler Ache demands more physical engagement, so basic fitness helps, but it remains accessible to motivated beginners.
On the Ötztaler Ache, expect the biggest drops and fastest current where the river narrows through its gorge sections. On the Imster Schlucht, the canyon walls close in during the tighter passages, which provides the most adrenaline on that route.
If you're chasing maximum sensation, yes. The 15 € difference between the entry-level 58 € trip and the 73 € option buys you a noticeably wilder river with stronger hydraulics.
The tours operated by Natur Pur are guided in German, English and Dutch.
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9.3°C | 108 mm | Poor |
| February | -5.9°C | 97 mm | Possible |
| March | -4.6°C | 124.9 mm | Poor |
| April | -0.1°C | 157 mm | Poor |
| May | 2.9°C | 168.6 mm | Poor |
| June | 7.3°C | 182.2 mm | Poor |
| July | 10.8°C | 218.2 mm | Poor |
| August | 10.6°C | 207.4 mm | Poor |
| September | 7.9°C | 128 mm | Possible |
| October | 2.3°C | 96.2 mm | Possible |
| November | -3.9°C | 106.6 mm | Poor |
| December | -9.9°C | 100.5 mm | Poor |
Equipment
Wetsuit, helmet and paddle are provided by Natur Pur. Bring a swimsuit to wear underneath, secure water shoes or old trainers (no flip-flops), and a dry change of clothes for after the 3h session. The Sporty-rated Ötztaler Ache route warrants an extra layer under your wetsuit given the cold glacial water.
Getting there
Both tours meet at Natur Pur Outdoorsports GmbH, Dorfstrasse 7, A-6432 Sautens/Ötztal, reachable via the B186 Ötztal road from Imst, roughly 10 minutes by car.
Updated March 2026