Adige River Rafting

Adige River Rafting, 3 hours, rated 4.8 across 71 traveller reviews.

Overview

This is a three hour guided rafting trip down the Adige, covering 8.5 km through the middle of Verona. You meet at the rafting base, get a safety briefing, a life jacket, a paddle and a dry bag, and then set off on the water with a guide who shares stories about what you are passing. The route runs under the city's bridges and past its old walls, with the guide telling stories about how the river shaped Verona's history and buildings.

The paddling is mostly calm. There are three gentle white water sections along the way, but the listing pitches this as suitable for all ages and abilities, and reviewers back that up, with several families with young children reporting a relaxed, fun afternoon. Near the end, the group takes part in a friendly ten minute raft race before finishing at a take out point in Verona.

Logistics are straightforward. If you came by car, a shuttle takes you back to the base where you parked. If you arrived by shuttle from the San Fermo bus stop in the city centre, you walk back to the bus stop from the take out point. The base has parking, changing rooms, a bar-restaurant and a meeting room, so there is somewhere to change before and after.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the rafting baseArrive at the base at the start of the river trip, where you meet your guide, get a life jacket, paddle and dry bag, and receive a safety briefing.
2. Set off down the AdigePaddle out onto the river and begin the 8.5 km journey through the city with your group.
3. Float past bridges and wallsGlide under Verona's bridges and along its ancient walls while the guide shares stories about the Adige's role in the city's history and architecture.
4. Run three gentle rapidsAlong the route there are three gentle white water sections that break up the calm stretches with a bit of excitement.
5. Friendly raft raceIn the final part of the trip the group takes part in a 10 minute raft race to finish the run.
6. Take out and returnThe tour ends in Verona at a spot convenient for exploring or a riverside stroll. A shuttle returns drivers to the base, while those who came via shuttle from the San Fermo bus stop walk back to the bus stop.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things will shape how this trip goes, from what you carry on the raft to how you get back to your starting point.

• Bring sun protection. The listing recommends a sun hat, sunscreen and a camera. You are out on open water for most of the trip, so sun exposure is real even on mild days.
• Pace is gentle. This is a calm river run with only three mild rapid sections.
• Good for families. The listing calls the tour suitable for all ages and abilities. Multiple reviewers travelled with children, including one family with girls aged 7 to 9, and described it as a great time for the whole group.
• Photo stops only. A dry bag is provided to keep your belongings protected, and the listing suggests bringing a camera. Reviewers mention having enough time for photos during the trip, so bring your own rather than relying on the operator.
• Sort your return. Drivers get a shuttle back to the base where they parked. If you come from the San Fermo bus stop by shuttle, you walk back to the bus stop from the take out point, and one reviewer said you should let the operator know your plans in advance.
• No food included. Food and drinks are not included. There is a bar-restaurant at the base, so you can buy something before or after the run.

Common issues. Water levels can affect the experience: one reviewer found the river had very little water, which the guide could not control, and the review summary notes some travellers wished the calm pace and limited rapids had been clearer in advance, especially in low water. One reviewer also struggled with a guide whose English was weaker than expected for an advertised English tour, though most reviews praise the guides as friendly and informative. One reviewer was disappointed that no photos or videos were taken of the run itself. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Common Questions