Best Rivers for Catamaran Rafting in Russia

Rivers for catamaran rafting flow abundantly across our country. Forest or flatland waterways can be found in every region, ensuring that every water enthusiast can find at least one route for a peaceful trip near their city.

Recreational rafting does not require exceptional skills or special equipment, but once you start… Most water tourists naturally aspire to try whitewater. This article provides routes tailored to each experience level.

How to Choose a Water Route

Choosing a river for rafting is a non-trivial task for novice paddlers, so getting some assistance for the first trips is essential. To start, one can consult the  Russian Tourist and Sports Union , whose specialists design rated trails for all types of tourism. It’s also worth taking a look at the main  river classifications .

All rivers of Russia on the map

Focus on Experience

The first thing to consider is experience, not only in rafting but in overall outdoor activities, as challenges on a trip go beyond the water. Setting up camp, navigating terrain, securing safeguards, and administering first aid—such skills must be familiar to all participants.

Tent

For novice paddlers, it is better to choose easy yet scenic routes in Karelia and the Urals. There are about a dozen tried-and-tested paths in the Caucasus, though they have their nuances: challenges involve canyons or local rapids, which only well-prepared groups can handle. Before the trip, you should check the current water levels at the planned route segment.

Experienced tourists prefer the Caucasus, Altai, and Sayans. These three regions host Russia’s most challenging and legendary rivers for rafting. However, one must remember that on rivers with the highest difficulty levels, any mistake can be catastrophic.

Goals and Interests of the Trip

The second criterion when choosing a region for a catamaran water trip is its goals:

• Specific River. If the group is determined to conquer a particular river without considering alternatives, the selection of the region becomes automatic.
• Increasing Difficulty Level. For instance, if the group has completed several 4th-category routes and wishes to progress to a higher level. 5th-category rivers are available in various areas, so a choice needs to be made. Typically, preference is given to rivers that are closer, easier to access, and provide emergency exit options from the route.
• Educational and Sightseeing Interest. Trips are a wonderful opportunity to explore various attractions. Often, paddlers choose a river, like in the Sayans, to see Lake Baikal, or in Karelia, to visit Kizhi Island.

Deer, Amur Region

Distance to the Rafting Spot

Typically, a trip requires a week or more, but sometimes the journey by train to and from the spot can take just as long.

Tourists often have to choose rivers that are quicker to reach (due to short vacations or spring holidays). Paddlers from Russia’s European part typically head to the Caucasus or Karelia for May holidays, as they are reachable within a day. In summer, when there is more time, destinations like Altai or even the Sayans come into consideration.

Best Catamaran Rafting Spots by Region

There are certain well-loved rivers that have been thoroughly explored. These are ideal for gaining experience in water trekking.

Where to find rafting routes and their difficulty ratings?

The Federation of Sports Tourism publishes a special “List of Classified Tourist Routes and Obstacles,” which includes a section covering all water routes in Russia and adjacent regions with assigned difficulty categories (approximately 560 in total). For your convenience, we’ve highlighted some of the most prominent ones in the tables below, categorized by region. For additional details, refer to the document linked above.

Karelia and Kola Peninsula

There are no high mountains in these northern areas, so the rivers are relatively easy (2nd-3rd difficulty category), though they still offer some sporting interest. Popular routes include the Kutsayoki River or the Umba-Kolvitsa connection on the Kola Peninsula. Their difficulty is rated up to 4th category, depending on water levels.

Karelia The region is favored by kayakers, but it is perfectly suited for calm water catamarans and anyone who simply wants to relax on a river trip. Special experience or equipment is not required, and there are no issues with transport to starting points or pickups at the end, making it a popular destination for seasoned tourists to bring along beginners who’ve never been on a catamaran before.

The area is rich in natural beauty, with opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. Most of the rapids are localized, making safety measures easier, but there are many calm stretches with weak currents. At times, you even need to cross lakes, which requires considerable paddling effort, especially in the absence of favorable winds.

Travelers usually visit Karelia and the Kola Peninsula during the summer, as it is still too cold in May. An exception is southern Karelia. Every year in early May, rivers like Tohma, Uksta, Loimola, and Kollas attract numerous water sports enthusiasts who are undeterred by snow in the forest and ice-covered lakes.

Ural

A vast region stretching from the Arctic Circle to the southern borders of Russia. In the central and southern parts, most routes have a difficulty of Class 2, with the most sporting interest being Inzer and Iset, particularly their rapids Aigir and Revun.

Closer to the Polar Ural, the mountains are higher, and the rivers gradually become more challenging, with rapids reaching up to Class 4.

Urals, Belaya River

For catamaran enthusiasts, the Urals is primarily attractive as a region where one can have a great time relaxing. Beautiful scenery, easy logistics for starting and finishing trips, and no paddling across lakes will appeal to almost anyone. Meanwhile, those who prefer more extreme trips can head for the northern rivers of the Ural Mountains.

The Central and Southern Urals are visited by water sports enthusiasts in summer and during the May holidays, when water levels rise and the rapids become more powerful, whereas the Polar and Subpolar Urals are best explored solely in summer.

Caucasus

The Caucasus offers rivers of any difficulty category. For instance, Teberda or Zelenchuk are excellent options for training and educating beginners. It’s worth remembering, though, that Caucasus routes have an intense dynamic environment, making the rafting more engaging and exciting. This region is also home to the famous Belaya River, known for its Grade 6 canyons and annual Interrally competitions.

Rafting on Bolshoy Zelenchuk

The region is well-suited for catamaran water trips, offering a diverse range of routes. Rivers in the Caucasus are short, which allows tourists to cover two or three rivers during a single trip. This is easy to manage as transportation logistics are well-established, and nearby settlements make it convenient to restock supplies or medicine. All of this, coupled with a warm climate and picturesque views, makes the Caucasus a desirable travel destination that never grows old.

The region is popular in summer, during May holidays, and even in November. Spring, however, remains the favorite time. This is because the region is easily accessible for water sports enthusiasts from the European part of Russia, with no alternatives to the Caucasus at this time of year—the nearest rivers with category-route difficulty are in Altai.

Altai

Altai is the mecca of water tourism, a dream destination for every water sports enthusiast. Home to such renowned rivers as Argut, Chuya, Chulyshman, and Bashkaus, the region also offers simpler routes up to Category 2 difficulty, although these are usually frequented only by locals. Most visitors opt for more challenging expeditions.

Altai rivers are diverse: from wide, full-bodied rivers with powerful rapids (e.g., Katun) to narrow slalom stretches (Shavla). These routes accommodate all kinds of vessels, but catamarans and rafts remain the most popular choices.

Altai. Katun River

Access to many rivers is possible via regular vehicles, though sometimes hiring an off-road vehicle or even walking is necessary.

The rafting season here begins during May holidays and extends into autumn, making the region attractive for catamaran trips until the rivers freeze.

Sayan Mountains

This picturesque region of high mountains and rapid rivers is popular among tourists throughout the country. Even water sports enthusiasts from Kaliningrad are willing to travel across the entire country to navigate the Urik, Kitoy, Bi-Khem, or Onot rivers.

Visiting tourists are primarily attracted to challenging routes, but the region also offers simpler rivers where one can admire the beauty of nature, relax, and go fishing.

The rivers and rapids here are diverse: the waterfalls of the Kitoy, the slalom of the Zhombolok, and the powerful waves of the Oka Sayan River. Such variety allows even the most seasoned and experienced catamaran enthusiasts to plan a route that will leave them with vivid impressions.

Akkurum

A specific feature of the region is the challenging access. As a rule, one has to travel high into the mountains, cross fords and swamps, which is only possible with specialized vehicles. If even a tractor cannot help, and one must proceed on foot, local transport providers offer assistance by hiring guides with horses. They can carry part of the load, making the journey easier.

The places listed above are, in a sense, a golden checklist for must-visit destinations. While there are plenty of routes in these areas, if you’re looking for something more exclusive, our country has other equally interesting spots for catamaran rafting, such as the Putorana Plateau or the Kamchatka rivers.

These destinations may feature unique landscapes, beautiful waterfalls, and other attractions that draw in tourists. If even these prove insufficient, there’s always the option to find a suitable river abroad.