Rafting in the Cabriel gorges, departing from Alcalá

A half day of white-water rafting in the Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park, the neighbouring river, with a van there and back from Alcalá del Júcar. It is the adrenaline activity of the area.

What the day is like

You meet at the Multiaventura Los Olivos base, next to the old town of Alcalá del Júcar, where you leave your car; they have changing rooms. There the instructors give you your equipment, wetsuit, helmet and life jacket, and take you in their vehicles to the Cabriel gorges, a river the company describes as one of the cleanest in Europe. The descent is made in rafts of 8 or 9 seats with a guide instructor, and the company itself sells it as a day of boarding manoeuvres, capsizes and laughter: expect to get wet. During the route they take photos with waterproof cameras, which they later post on their social media. At the end, before returning to Alcalá, there is a picnic of fruit, sweets and juices.

Who it is for and how much it costs

The recommended minimum age is 11. It costs €40 per adult, from age 11, and €30 per child. There is no minimum group. There are two sessions: at 9:00 and at 16:00; as it is a half day, the morning one leaves the afternoon free for the village.

It includes transport from Alcalá to the Cabriel and back, the wetsuit, life jacket and helmet, the raft and paddles, the guide instructor, the safety equipment, the photos, the picnic and civil liability, assistance and accident insurance.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel, dry underwear for afterwards, water shoes (flip-flops will not do) and a rucksack. Leave your phone and anything that must not get wet in the car or at the base.

Booking and season

Book on the website, choosing the date and the number of adults and children, or by phone on 967 11 01 90 or 687 44 48 02. In November the website marks the activity as unavailable; it is a seasonal activity, so outside summer call beforehand. The base is an hour from Albacete via the N-322, an hour and a half from Valencia and about three hours from Madrid.

What to combine it with

If there are children under 11 in the group, the same company has calm-water canoeing on the Júcar from age 2, without leaving the village. With the afternoon free, go up to the castle or do the walk round the old town and the bridge. To sleep nearby, the Hotel & Spa Eliá and the Casas Rurales Olmeda are a few minutes from the old town.