White Water Rafting Alicante on the Júcar River (August 2024)

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The Júcar River (Río Júcar) has beautiful crystal clear water and is surrounded by natural landscapes.

It begins at the Tous Reservoir (Embalse de Tous) and passes first through the town of Sumacárcer. It is here which is famous for the activity of white water rafting Alicante. Adventures arrive here with their inflatables (lilos, tubes/rings, unicorns, crocodiles…whatever they want!) and off they go. There are various locations where you can enter and exit the water, as well as riverside ´beaches´ where you can relax, or ´cliffs´ which you can jump from into the river if you want a little more excitement.

Read ALL of the tips and tricks here based on my rafting trip in July 2024 and my wild swimming trip in August 2024 in the same area.

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What is white water rafting Alicante?

This white water rafting route in Alicante is an exciting outdoor activity where adventurers descend the river Júcar (located about 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Alicante city).

You float downstream with the current of the crystal clear water on your chosen ´raft´ and you must steer in order to navigate through the bends, overhanging trees and reeds, as well as other rafters!

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Who is it suitable for?

Anyone who can swim and feel comfortable is moving water without a raft
People who can walk at least 15 minutes, and are capable of accessing the water via their chosen routes. Some routes are more difficult and/or longer than others Where does the route begin?

Groups. There are no limitations, and it is definitely more fun with friends!
Families. I have seen plenty of families doing this activity, and I came across some advice suggesting that it is suitable for children from the age of 6 or 8, which I agree with.
I definitely would not take babies or very young children, because in much shallower parts of the river, further downstream, I have witnessed parents having to chase their child floating away down the river.

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Where does the route begin?

To do white water rafting Alicante on the river Júcar there are several places where you can enter the water. I have listed them here is order, from the longest route to the shortest route…

Assut de la Escalona. This is the dam where this section of the river begins, and it is therefore the longest route. I went to take a look in August 2024, and I saw some paddleboarders getting ready to enter the water. I have also seen photos of people on inflatables there in summer 2023. This is definitely the route that I will try next time I go!

WALKING TIME (from the end point): 30 minutes

Isla de la Esgoletja. Officially, the route begins here at this riverside recreation area.

WALKING TIME (from the end point): 12 minutes

However, when I visited in July 2024 we were advised not to begin there because a child had had an accident in the water (that´s all I know). So instead, we entered the water just a little further down the river…

Top secret access point. After speaking to some locals with inflatables, we entered the water here…

Top secret access point

This is a more difficult descent than the others, with some unofficial steps leading down a short steep slope.

WALKING TIME (from the end point): 15 minutes

When I returned in August 2024, I passed this location again and saw that it is still being used. However, I soon discovered the reason…to avoid having to pay the new entrance fee How much does it cost?

Where does the route end?

To finish your white water rafting experience on the river Júcar of Alicante you could get out of the water at any of the areas mentioned above.

However, the official ending point of white water rafting Alicante is the bar “El Xirin de Sumacarcer”…

If you are floating down the river you will pass under the (only) bridge, and then you will see the bar very soon on the right.

I recommend that you pass below the bridge under the arch to the left, which has a wider stretch of water. Also, stay to the left side of the water because it is on a slight bend so the current will push you to the right.

When you reach the bar, there are some steps under the water for you to get out, but be careful not to slip.

When we finished our (first) descent of white water rafting Alicante we went to the bar for a few refreshing drinks. It is right on the riverside and consists of a big terrace with lots of table and chairs, with a kid´s playground and grassy area right next door.

It was a Saturday afternoon in July (peak time) so it took them quite a while to serve us. However, they were very tolerant of the inflatables all over the place and wet people sitting on their chairs. The view and the vibe made it worth the wait.

TOP TIPS for Explorers

We didn´t try going any further than the official white water rafting Alicante ending point, mainly because it would be a long walk back! Eventually you would reach a dam with a slipway (Assut de Carcaixent) which could be dangerous if the water level is high. However, I have seen photos from July 2024 of people on inflatables in the area, so it might just be possible, and safer if the water level is low.

The river appears to be quite wide here. However, I haven´t seen any obvious areas to stop between the bar and the dam (which isn´t blocked by trees or reeds) – so you should expect to reach the dam if you decide to give it a try.

Due to the longer distance, I recommend that you try it with more than one car, so that a car can be left at either end of the route. This would also allow you to assess the dam area first, making sure that it appears safe to reach and exit the water.

You can only park on the side of the road at the dam.

Good luck!

TOP TIPS for Adventurers

If you like scrambling/climbing up rocks and cliff jumping you can get tour adrenaline fix during your day of white water rafting Alicante, as there is an area of the river with rocks/cliffs which you can jump from.

There are 2 jumps, located very close to each other.

On your left, you will first see a rocky ledge, with an area that you can climb up just before I would consider this a MEDIUM climb (very short but steep and slippery/sandy) and an EASY-MEDIUM jump
A couple of metres after there is a higher cliff that I would consider a HARD jump. However, you can´t actually climb out of the water here. You will have to access it from the first one

Jumping locations

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TOP TIPS for rafting safely

Get in the water first to acclimatise yourself to the temperature.
Take a rope! It is extremely helpful to connect ´rafts´ together, so that you can stay together with your group and stay out of danger. This is essential if you are taking kids.
For example, if your friend is floating away and heading towards something dangerous, then you can pull them back. It can also help with ´steering´ What kind of ´raft´ is best?
Let´s go! To go straight ahead when white water rafting Alicante, paddle with both hands/arms/legs at the same time
Steering. If you want to turn one way, you must paddle in the opposite direction. For example, if you want to turn left, paddle with your right hand/arm/leg only
Rafting speed and obstructions. On a straight river, the middle part is the fastest. The edges are slower, but you can come across more obstructions. So use your judgement to decide what is best for you (it´s really not that fast, you will be fine).
Rapids. You will travel through a few rapids along the route. These occur when the water becomes shallow and/or rocky, causing the flow of the water to increase. So, hold on tight and enjoy the ride. Also, you need to make sure that your legs are not dangling in the water, or they could hit the rocks below What kind of ´raft´ is best?
Bends. Bends also cause a rapid effect on both sides of the river. However, this is more dangerous so you should aim to stay it the middle of the river when going around a bend

The current may push you straight ahead, towards the outer edge of the bend, instead of turning. In order to counteract this, you must paddle to move closer to the inner edge of the bend.

Following these tips, and you will have a fun-filled and safe day white water rafting in Alicante.

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Where to park

Here are some areas where you can park, in order to do white water rafting Alicante. They are listed in order of how close they are to the ending point of the route…

On-street parking: Carrer Xúquer. This is located above/behind the end point of the rafting route. However, it will fill up quickly, especially in the summer, and it is almost impossible to park in this Southern part of town.
Top secret parking spot near the bridge. This is opposite the end point of the rafting route, but on the other side of the side of the river.

Secret parking

This is where we parked our big van plus two cars on a Saturday in July (my Spanish friend with the van was confident that it was allowed). Top tip: If you like avocados, sneak into the orchard and you will find some hidden trees

Nameless road. This road runs parallel to the river and is a popular parking spot for rafters…

More parking

The Nothern part of town. This is closer to the starting points, and includes Carrer Portitxol as well as the streets nearby
Assut de la Escalona. There is a small area where a few cars can park on the gravel road, so parking is limited.

Do you have to book white water rafting Alicante?

No need to book. It a famous route, but not controlled. You can go any time or day at your pleasure 😊

How much does it cost?

In August 2014 a new fee was implemented to enter la Isla de la Esgoletja and the locals are not happy about it! This affected visitors to the area who wanted to do white water rafting Alicante, as well as the locals who visit more frequently.

The dedicated car park was completely closed off, with a temporary barrier and police officer located at the turn off on Carrer Portitxol.

I was told that it would cost 3€ per person to enter on foot. However, cars were not allowed. Parking was only allowed in the nearby streets. So, I parked on the same street South of the road entrance which was completely empty of cars, but the police officer came and told me that I was not allowed to park there.

If people had a lot of things to carry, then they could pay 10€ to drop off items in the area, drive out again, park in the streets, and then walk back in again.

I highly suspect that this was only for August 2024, since there is an increasing number of natural places which you are charged 3€ to enter during July and August (but with parking included!).

In 2025, you should definitely be prepared to pay an entry fee in July and August!

TOP TIP for accessing la Isla de la Esgoletja on foot (in summer):

There is a short cut, which you can use instead of following the road all the way. When you have paid to enter on foot and you descend on the road, look to your right after about 1 minute and you will see it.

What do I need to take?

To do white water rafting Alicante there are some things that you need to pack.

However, when you are in the water on an inflatable, carrying lots of things is impractical.

Swimwear. The locals are used to seeing people in bikinis and shorts walking through the town
Footwear. You need to walk for 15-30 minutes mainly on concrete roads but possibly down a few steps/rocks/sand to access the river bed. I wore beach shoes, and they were fine, but some old trainers might have been more comfortable walking. They will get wet
Sun protection. Put sunscreen on before you leave the car
Beach towel. To use afterwards, at the car
Your ideal raft What kind of ´raft´ is best?
Waterproof bag/phone case. To protect car keys, phone, money, etc. I took one for the first descent but I found it annoying, so the second time I left it in the car
Cash/card. If your car isn´t parked near the end point (Where does the route end?) then you might want to take some money to buy a drink at the bar.

Also, you may need to pay a fee to enter la isla de la Esgoletja How much does it cost?

Water. I took a small bottle of water, which we all needed to drink once we arrived at the starting point on a hot summer´s day. I put the half empty bottle into the cup holder of the rubber ring. However, I later realised that it had gone, so it must have fallen out and floated down the river ☹
Hat and sunglasses. Only wear these if you are prepared to lose them! Better if you have a hat with a chin strap, and glasses with a neck string, so that you are less likely to lose them.

I didn´t bother with either, because I like to dip my head in the water, and I knew that I would be jumping from the rocks. However, my face looked like a beetroot afterwards!

Skin protection. You might want to wear a t-shirt/top to cover your shoulders and/or arms, as you will catch the sun more easily while in the water.

What kind of ´raft´ is best?

When we went white water rafting Alicante, we had a selection of rafts between the three of us.

We did the route twice, so that we could try a different raft during each descent.

Here is my review of our rafts…

Unicorn. I love unicorns, but this was the least practical. It is not possible to steer, so you just go around in circles.

Luckily, we had a rope that was tied to each of my friends. I wasn´t actually attached, but I kept hold of it and could use this to help me turn so I wasn´t going backwards (although backwards was fun too)

Watch out…if you lean back too much you might just fall off the back of it!

Bodyboard. The bodyboard was like the engine (paddling feet) and the steering wheel (breast-stroke arms) pulling along the other two rafts. I was a little scared of trying this because you are so close to the water during the rapids. So, I made sure that my hands and body were on top of the board. However, at one point one foot did hit a rock under the water.

Sometimes, if an inflatable floating behind got faster (or the bodyboard got slower, I´m not sure) and then the inflatable would be over the feet/legs of the bodyboarder, but it was fine. We´re all friends

I think I liked bodyboarding on the river more because there was more action!

Rubber ring. These are perfect because you can steer and paddle with your hands which are close to the water, but your feet are also out of the water. You can buy them with plastic handles for carrying, and with the function to clip onto others if your friends have the same one (so there is no need for a rope).

Make sure you AVOID PLACING YOUR RAFT DOWN ON SHARP ITEMS that could cause a puncture.

Where we entered the water (at the top secret access point) there was metal mesh on the ground that had sharp ends…I put my unicorn down to take a photo of it next to the beautiful scenery and got a hole in it.

This could really ruin your white water rafting Alicante experience.

What facilities are there?

At la Isla de la Esgoletja there were 2 portaloo toilets available in August.

However, it is possible that these may not be available once September comes, which is when I suspect the entrance fee will no longer be charged.

When is the best time to visit?

During summer is definitely the best time to visit, because the conditions of the river are at their best. However, rafting season is in Spain is generally between March and October, if you are brave enough to enter the cold water during those months
You should avoid this activity if it is raining
Also, I would not recommend going straight after heavy rain because the water can turn from a beautiful transparent blue/green to a muddy brown colour.