White Water Rafting · Lake Serre Ponçon
How to choose
11 rafting tours on the Durance and Guil rivers, from 32 € to 60 €, sessions running 1.5h to a full day. Three clear tiers to choose from. Beginners and families: tours tagged "Everybody welcome" start at 32 € with Nomad River School or Hakuna Matata Rafting, no experience required. The mid-range "Occasionally sporty" bracket (40 € to 55 €) covers the stretch between Rabioux and Embrun, typically 2h to 2.5h on the water with Eau Vive Passion or Nomad River School. For the real push, two "Sporty" tours hit the Écrins National Park sector at 51 € and 57 €, both run by Nomad River School from Saint-Clément-sur-Durance. Rule of thumb: your physical level decides the tier, then your budget picks the duration. If you want the most river time for your money, the Guil descent at 32 € is the entry point to beat.
11 offers available
Our picks
Rafting Down the Guil River in the Queyras Regional Nature Park, near Embrun
At 32 €, the Guil River descent with Nomad River School is the cheapest entry point in the lineup, open to all levels and covering a half-day to full-day window.
Sporty Airboat Descent on the Guil River from Saint-Clément-sur-Durance, near Embrun
The Sporty Airboat Descent on the Guil River (57 €) carries the highest physical level rating in the lineup and puts you on one of the most technical rivers in the area.
Rafting down the Durance river in Embrun
Rafting down the Durance in Embrun with Hakuna Matata Rafting runs 1.5h to 2.5h at 39 €, rated 'Everybody welcome' and departing from a central Embrun meeting point.
Rafting Down the Guil and Durance Rivers with Local Products Tasting from Eygliers
At 60 €, the Guil and Durance combo with local products tasting from Eygliers adds a post-river reward that no other tour in this lineup includes.
Frequently asked questions
How intense is white water rafting on the Durance River?
The Durance offers a wide intensity range depending on the sector. The Rabioux to Embrun stretch is rated 'Occasionally sporty', meaning real rapids but nothing that requires prior experience. The Écrins National Park sector is rated 'Sporty' and delivers the strongest whitewater in the area.
Which section of river gives the biggest adrenaline hit?
The Sporty Rafting in the Écrins National Park from Saint-Clément-sur-Durance (51 €) and the Sporty Airboat Descent on the Guil River (57 €) are the two highest-intensity options on offer. Both are run by Nomad River School and carry a 'Sporty' physical level rating, the highest available in this lineup.
What is the difference between rafting and cano-raft on the Durance?
Standard rafting uses a large inflatable raft guided by a professional. Cano-raft puts you in a smaller individual inflatable kayak, giving you direct control of your line through the rapids. The cano-raft option from Hakuna Matata Rafting runs 1.5h to 2.5h at 45 €.
Is white water rafting here suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Four tours in the lineup are rated 'Everybody welcome', starting at 32 €. These sessions run on the calmer sections of the Durance and Guil and require no prior paddling experience. Operators provide all safety equipment on site.
When is the best time to go rafting near Lake Serre Ponçon?
The season runs from May to September. Spring (May to June) delivers higher water levels and stronger currents due to snowmelt from the surrounding Alps, which means more powerful rapids. Summer (July to August) is warmer and busier, with more moderate flow on most sections.
Can I raft in the Écrins National Park without being sporty?
One option takes you through the Écrins corridor at an 'Occasionally sporty' level: the Canoe Rafting down the Durance to the Écrins National Park with Eau Vive Passion at 42 €, lasting 2h to 2.5h. The two full 'Sporty' tours in the same zone require better physical fitness and comfort with strong currents.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.5°C | 75.2 mm | Possible |
| February | 1.9°C | 93.9 mm | Possible |
| March | 2.4°C | 102.3 mm | Poor |
| April | 6.8°C | 98.9 mm | Possible |
| May | 10.6°C | 85 mm | Good |
| June | 16.5°C | 68.5 mm | Good |
| July | 20.8°C | 43.3 mm | Peak |
| August | 21.1°C | 47.3 mm | Peak |
| September | 16.7°C | 72.1 mm | Good |
| October | 11.1°C | 104.6 mm | Possible |
| November | 4.5°C | 111.3 mm | Poor |
| December | 1.1°C | 38.6 mm | Possible |
Practical info
Equipment
Wear a swimsuit under your wetsuit (provided by most operators) and bring water shoes or old trainers that can get soaked. For the 'Sporty' half-day sessions, add a change of dry clothes and a small waterproof bag for your phone and keys.
Getting there
Most tours depart from Embrun or Saint-Clément-sur-Durance, both accessible via the N94 road from Gap (roughly 35 km south). The closest train station is Embrun, served by regional TER trains from Grenoble and Marseille.
See also
White Water Rafting elsewhere
Other activities in Lake Serre Ponçon
Updated March 2026