White Water Rafting · Sjoa
How to choose
Sjoa white water rafting offers 8 distinct tours from 79 € to 195 €, with sessions ranging from 3h to a full 8h on the river. Three intensity levels cover the full spectrum. Beginners and families go straight to the entry-level trip with Heidal Rafting (79 €, 3.5h, open to everybody). Intermediate paddlers step up with Go Rafting Sjoa for 99 € to 195 €, with sessions labeled occasionally sporty. The 164 € full-day descent and the 159 € Åseng Canyon advanced excursion target fit paddlers who want the Sjoa at its most punishing. Your decision comes down to one question: how many hours do you want to fight the current?
8 offers available
Our picks
Rafting Excursion on the Sjoa River from Otta
At 79 €, this 3.5h excursion with Heidal Rafting is the cheapest entry point on the Sjoa and is open to all fitness levels.
Advanced Rafting Excursion in the Åseng Canyon from Otta
The 5h Advanced Rafting Excursion through the Åseng Canyon (159 €) is rated Sporty and targets experienced paddlers who want the river's sharpest technical sections.
Norway's Longest Whitewater Rafting Excursion down the Sjoa River from Nedre Heidal
Norway's longest whitewater descent runs 8h on the Sjoa River for 164 €, delivering maximum time on the water at a lower price than the combo.
Rafting and River Boarding Combo down the River Sjoa from Nedre Heidal
The 8h Rafting and River Boarding Combo (195 €) with Go Rafting Sjoa packs two disciplines into one full day, the highest price but the widest variety of water-based adrenaline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most intense option on the Sjoa River?
The Advanced Rafting Excursion in the Åseng Canyon (159 €, 5h) is the highest-intensity trip, rated Sporty and taking you through a technical canyon section of the Sjoa. The 8h full-day descent is the longest, but the canyon trip delivers the sharpest whitewater.
Do I need rafting experience to join a trip?
No experience is required for the entry-level Sjoa excursion from Otta, which is open to everybody. The canyon and full-day trips require a reasonable fitness level, but no prior rafting certification.
What is the coldest part of the experience?
The Sjoa is a glacier-fed Norwegian river, so water temperatures in early season (May and June) are genuinely cold. Full wetsuits are provided by operators. The initial plunge into the current is typically the sharpest moment.
What is the longest rafting trip available?
Two options run for 8h: Norway's Longest Whitewater Rafting Excursion (164 €) and the Rafting and River Boarding Combo (195 €), both operated by Go Rafting Sjoa from Nedre Heidal.
Are trips available in English?
Yes. 5 of the 8 tours on the Sjoa are guided in both Norwegian and English, so international visitors can follow every safety briefing and instruction without issue.
When is the best time to raft the Sjoa?
The season runs from May to September. Snowmelt in May and June pushes water levels highest and currents fastest. July and August offer slightly warmer conditions while still delivering strong rapids.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8.7 °C | 41 mm | Possible |
| February | -6.7 °C | 40.8 mm | Possible |
| March | -3.3 °C | 32.9 mm | Possible |
| April | 3 °C | 57 mm | Possible |
| May | 7.2 °C | 49.3 mm | Good |
| June | 13.6 °C | 62.2 mm | Good |
| July | 16.7 °C | 114.6 mm | Good |
| August | 14.2 °C | 100.9 mm | Possible |
| September | 10.4 °C | 71.8 mm | Good |
| October | 3.1 °C | 90.3 mm | Possible |
| November | -3.2 °C | 75.4 mm | Possible |
| December | -6.7 °C | 44.7 mm | Possible |
Practical info
Equipment
Operators provide wetsuits, helmets and personal flotation devices, so bring only a swimsuit and secure water shoes or old sneakers. For 8h Sporty-rated trips, add a small dry bag for a spare layer and snacks.
Getting there
Both meeting points are in the Sjoa valley: Heidal Rafting is at Åmotsvegen 79 in Otta, reachable by train on the Oslo-Trondheim line, while Go Rafting Sjoa is at Heidalsvegen 829 in Nedre Heidal, about 20 minutes by car from Otta.
See also
White Water Rafting elsewhere
Other activities in Sjoa
Updated September 2026