Alpine Kayaking: A European Roadtrip
With the spring snow melt filling up the rivers across the European Alps, the playground is formed for the alpine kayaking season.
The end of the ski season certainly doesn’t mean the end of alpine fun. For whitewater kayakers, it means the opposite, the fun is just about to begin!
Kayaking can be a frustrating sport, particularly in the UK where rivers levels are reliant purely on rain water. The UK kayaking scene is all year round, meaning you kayak in summer when its warm and wet, you kayak in winter when its freezing and wet… and just about any time in between as long as it’s wet!
Motivation for kayaking can be hard. You can’t rely on predictable weather seasons or patterns, kayaking is a spontaneous sport requiring commitment to be able to drop just about every other plan to make time to go kayaking at a moment’s notice.
UK kayakers dream of foreign paddling trips, where seasonal river levels around the globe can be guaranteed in more predictable climates… and some warm weather boating!
For many, the most accessible option is alpine kayaking in the European alps. The option to drive, as opposed to flying with kayaks, makes the alps a realistic option for most. With spectacular locations in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, the alps really is a magical whitewater playground for all abilities.
Each year, myself and the boys book off the spring bank week and book a ferry for a ten day European road trip. That’s about the plan, simple as that. Time off work and a ferry into Europe. No destination in mind, just dreams of sweet alpine kayaking, decent levels, ice creams and many boofs!
Escaping from work at lunchtime on the Friday before spring bank, we were aiming to drive for about a day into the heart of the alps… but absolutely no idea where the heart of the alps was! Scratching our heads in Dover, we eventually decided we would head to Switzerland… it’s all about the journey right, destination is irrelevant and all that?!
Unfortunately, Switzerland and the Verzasca Valley didn’t provide the goods in terms of levels to get this Alpine kayaking gem ticked off. Nonetheless, we scouted and admired this amazing part of the world, before finding one of many magical camp spots in the high alps.
After the minor disappoint and major detour via Switzerland, everything was crossed for some Italian goods!
Valsesia is the centre of all things sliding and boofing in northern Italy. With knowledge of the area and a whole lot of stoke, we rallied and fired up the classics.
Sections of the Sesia, Egua, Sermenza and Gronda kept us more than busy! Plenty of beers and chilling out, whilst admiring the sheer unspoilt beauty of this remote alpine valley.
Valsesia and the Piedmont region is pristine and unspoilt, filled with lush green tree line mountains. Tucked away deep in the northern Italian Alps, where clouds hug the steep valley and shroud the quaint alpine villages. Amongst this paradise, steep crystal clear rivers sweep their way through the valley. This alpine kayaking location is nothing short of magical, giving a sensation of being removed from normal civilisation.
Theres a reason brits flock to Italy for their spring Alpine kayaking fix, once you’ve been you’ll be hooked and won’t be able to stay away!
Go safe and enjoy!
