Rafting Las Villas
Rafting Las Villas is the centre located in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. It is a stunning natural paradise, the largest protected area in Spain, located in the south of Spain.
This extensive park offers a landscape of mountains, forests and rivers, creating a spectacular setting for nature and adventure lovers.
In addition, the park is home to a rich biodiversity, making it a haven for wildlife. It is a perfect destination to experience natural beauty and tranquillity in a unique setting.
You will also have the opportunity to experience exciting adventure activities, from rafting to via ferrata and paddle surfing on the white waters of the Upper Guadalquivir.
You can find us at Carretera del tranco km.18, 23270 Charco del Aceite, Jaén
Proposals
Jaén: Via ferrata 'El Rayo' over the Guadalquivir river level K3
Tranco, Jaén
Itinerary
This via ferrata is located in the natural setting of "El Charco del Aceite" in Jaén. During the 350m route you will ascend 50m between artificial steps, ladders and suspension bridges along the Via Ferrata along the route "El Rayo". It is a bi-directional route over the Guadalquivir River that faces north and is always shaded. You will be able to observe the habitat of carnivorous plants endemic to the area. This Ferrata pays homage to the village and the miners who built the tunnel and the Tranco dam. Our expert guide will accompany you at all times to make the experience fun, safe and cultural as he explains the remains of the mineral extraction systems, the explosives bunkers and the techniques they used in their work.Included in the price
- Professional guides (languages: Spanish, French, English)
- Technical equipment: helmet, harness, anchor lines, dissipator, carabiners, connector to the continuous lifeline
- Accident and CR insurance
Booking and cancellation policy
- All prices are subject to change without notice.
- Cancellation policy: Up to 5 days before: full refund. Up to 48 hours before: change of date or «ADVENTURE voucher».
Difficulty of the activity
- Beginners' level. Suitable from 10 years old
- Total duration of the activity: 3h
What to bring
- Sports footwear
- Sporty and comfortable clothing (long trousers are recommended)
- Backpack with water and some snak
- Sunscreen
Who can take part in this activity
- It is recommended not to suffer from vertigo or cardiovascular diseases.
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- Minimum age for the activity: 10 years
- Minimum age unaccompanied: 18 years
- The implementation of the activities is subject to the professional judgement of the technicians in charge
Jaén: Initiation to white water paddle surfing in the Guadalquivir River
Tranco, Jaén
Itinerary
Spectacular paddle surfing adventure on the Alto Guadalquivir river in the Natural Park Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas! Imagine mastering the currents and counter-currents, some waves and jumping over a 1 metre drop, a feat that will get your heart racing. Your tour will be a visual spectacle: majestic mountains, lush vegetation, and a chorus of shorebirds and raptors high above. This scenery is a sanctuary of biodiversity that we care for with sustainable practices. A few steps away, discover the 'Charco del Aceite', a recreational area ideal for relaxing after conquering the white waters. Immerse yourself in its natural bath and feel the rejuvenating freshness. Every paddle on this trip is a mixture of adrenaline and harmony with nature.Included in the price
- Professional guides (languages: Spanish, French, English)
- SUP specific whitewater paddle and board
- 4mm neoprene wetsuit and jacket
- Approved helmet and waistcoat.
- Neoprene booties with non-slip sole
- Accident and CR insurance
Booking and cancellation policy
- All prices are subject to change without notice.
- Cancellation policy: Up to 5 days before: full refund. Up to 48 hours before: change of date or «ADVENTURE voucher».
Difficulty of the activity
- Beginners' level. Suitable from 8 years old
- Total duration of the activity: 3h
What to bring
- Swimming costume
- Towel
- Sunscreen
Who can take part in this activity
- Swimming is a must
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- Minimum age for the activity: 8 years
- Minimum age unaccompanied: 18 years
- The implementation of the activities is subject to the professional judgement of the technicians in charge
Jaén: Guided 7km white water paddle surfing descent in the Guadalquivir River
Tranco, Jaén
Itinerary
Included in the price
- Professional guides (languages: Spanish, French, English)
- SUP specific whitewater paddle and board
- 4mm neoprene wetsuit and jacket
- Approved helmet and waistcoat.
- Neoprene booties with non-slip sole
- Accident and CR insurance
- Optional: Leash or Invention
Booking and cancellation policy
- All prices are subject to change without notice.
- Cancellation policy: Up to 5 days before: full refund. Up to 48 hours before: change of date or «ADVENTURE voucher».
Difficulty of the activity
- Intermediate level. Suitable from 14 years of age
- Total duration of the activity: 3h
What to bring
- Swimming costume
- Towel
- Sunscreen
Who can take part in this activity
- Swimming is a must
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- Minimum age for the activity: 14 years
- Minimum age unaccompanied: 18 years
- LThe implementation of the activities is subject to the professional judgement of the technicians in charge
Rafting at the source of the Guadalquivir: family adventure in the Sierra de Cazorla, Jaén
Tranco, Jaén
The Guadalquivir rises in the Sierra de Cazorla and its first navigable kilometres are the ones this descent covers. Nine kilometres of class II rapids alternating whitewater stretches with calmer sections where the group looks up to find the canyon walls lined with vulture colonies: griffon vultures nesting in the rocks as the raft passes below.
Enjoy rafting in warm Mediterranean waters.
- Beginner level: suitable for families with children from 7 years, no prior rafting experience required
- Source of the Guadalquivir: Andalusia's longest river in its first navigable kilometres
- Canyon vulture colonies: griffon vulture, Iberian wild goat and Iberian otter in the descent setting
📍 Meeting point: Zona Orcera -- La Puerta de Segura, 23310 Jaén, Spain – View on map
The «Natura» Rafting on the Upper Guadalquivir
The activity begins at the meeting point with the licensed guide's briefing: position in the raft, paddling technique, safety protocol and communication signals. Transport takes the group to the put-in at the Agustines Bridge, where the Guadalquivir already has enough flow to navigate with an eight-person rafting raft.
The nine-kilometre descent to Ortega Bridge combines the Cardaor Esses — a winding stretch of sustained current — with calmer zones where the canyon opens and the rock walls reveal the canyon's vulture colonies: the griffon vulture colonies nesting in the cliffs of the Sierra de las Villas are visible to the naked eye from the water.
The Iberian wild goat frequently appears on the crags above the river. In the calmer stretches, the Iberian otter is a possible sighting on the Guadalquivir. The class II rapids on the route have names: the Cardaor, opening the descent with the first hit of adrenaline, and the intermediate passages where the guide proposes manoeuvres for extra enjoyment.
At the end, return transport to the meeting point closes the descent. La Venta del Pino, with its terrace overlooking the river, is available to the group afterwards.
What the experience feels like
Families: the class II rapids are accessible for the youngest and dynamic enough that adults are not bored. The canyon vulture colonies are the moment of pause that turns an adventure activity into a real nature experience.
Couples: nine kilometres of Mediterranean river, a canyon with griffon vultures and the Guadalquivir at its source. Rafting in Cazorla is the adventure plan that Costa del Sol holidaymakers have three hours away and that very few know about.
Groups of friends: class II rapids with a guide who adjusts the pace, warm mountain water and a terrace to finish at. The Guadalquivir in Cazorla does not have the flow of northern rivers, but it has something the Pyrenees does not: twenty-two-degree water in August and the canyon's vulture colonies watching the group from above.
What is included in the RocRoi experience?
- Full wetsuit with wetsuit shoes
- Approved helmet with GoPro mount
- Buoyancy aid and paddle
- Licensed guide
- Transport from meeting point to put-in and return
- Accident insurance
- Civil liability insurance
- Cancellation Policy: Up to 5 days before: full refund. Up to 48 hours before: change of date or «ADVENTURE voucher».
What to bring – Rafting Cazorla
For your comfort and safety, we recommend bringing:
- Swimwear
- Lycra or thermal underlayer under the wetsuit
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses and cap
Practical details – Rafting Guadalquivir
The guide explains paddling technique, position in the raft and the safety protocol on land before entering the water. No prior rafting or water sports experience is required.
- Minimum age: 7 years with a responsible adult / 18 years unaccompanied.
- Total duration: 3 hours (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes -- 2 hours on the water).
- Fitness: swimming ability is required; normal physical condition; no medical contraindications for moderate effort.
- Limitations: not recommended for pregnant women or people with serious cardiac conditions; inform the guide of allergies, phobias or physical limitations before starting.
- Attitude: a willingness to get wet, a readiness to paddle when the guide calls for it and curiosity about the canyon's vulture colonies.
FAQs
What is the rafting descent on the Guadalquivir river like?
It is a dynamic activity covering 9 km of the upper Guadalquivir, near Cazorla. The route alternates calmer stretches where you enjoy the canyon and the vulture colonies with class II rapids that deliver excitement without demanding technique.
Is the Guadalquivir rafting suitable for 7-year-old children?
Yes. It is the rafting trip in the RocRoi catalogue with the lowest minimum age: from 7 years with a responsible adult. The class II rapids are accessible for children from this age.
Why is the Cazorla Guadalquivir different from rafting in the Pyrenees?
Guadalquivir water in summer is between 18 and 22 °C, compared with 6-14 °C in Pyrenean rivers. The setting is Mediterranean: vulture colonies on the canyon walls, Iberian wild goat on the crags and the largest Natural Park in Spain as the scenery.
When is the best time to go rafting on the Guadalquivir?
The season runs from mid-May to mid-October. May and June offer the highest flow and the most dynamic rapids thanks to spring rains. July and August are ideal for families with children because of the warmer water temperature.
Is the Cazorla rafting inside the Natural Park?
The descent takes place in the setting of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park, the largest protected natural area in Spain and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1983.