Rafting on the Lérez River (Pontevedra)
The Lérez River flows through the Pontevedra province and stretches 62 km in length. It originates at 900 metres altitude in Monte de San Bieito (Serra do Candán), in the parish of Aciveiro, within the municipality of Forcarei. It empties near the towns of Pontevedra and Poio, forming the Ría de Pontevedra estuary.
Its main tributaries are the Salgueiro, Cabaleiros, Grande, O Castro, Quireza and Almofrei rivers.
Water sports available on this river include fishing, canoeing, rafting and hydrospeed.
Lérez River Route
Water activities like rafting begin in Calvelo, in the parish of Tenorio. This entire river section flows through the Concello de Cotobade municipality. The route is of medium difficulty.
It passes at the foot of the Monastery of Acibeiro and turns to squeeze between Couto Vello and Pico Valiñas until reaching the parish of Duas Igrexas. It opens up again near Forcarei until Folgoso, where its course bends. Near Cerdedo, it forms an elbow shape by following a fracture that lengthens its channel, allowing the formation of extensive alluvial meadows.
In this section, you'll find the small Ponte Freixeiro bridge on the left and downstream its first major tributary, the Río do Castro, which drains a large area of the Testeiro, Seixo and Barbeira mountains.
From Cerdedo, the flow increases with contributions from Porto das Cubas, Quireza and Cabaleiro. The gradient creates small rapids.
The river follows a zigzag course until its mouth, while its tributaries Gargalláns, Calvos, Maneses, Tenorio and Almofrei make it a powerful river. In its final 17 kilometres, it has almost no gradient.
The estimated duration of the activity is 2-3 hours.
What's the best time of year for rafting?
The ideal season varies depending on the activity and the river's flow conditions.
If you're looking for a fun nature activity, summer is the best option.
For rafting, which is a more demanding sport requiring greater water flow, the best season is winter as the rapids are more continuous and the current stronger. The ideal period is during the rainy months. For the Lérez River, the best time is between December and March when the water flow peaks.
Other rivers for rafting in Galicia
There are several regions in Galicia where you can practice rafting:
In A Coruña province we have the Ulla and Tambre rivers. To see rafting offers in A Coruña click here.
- Ulla River: the rafting route is in the area before its mouth at the Ria de Arosa. This 7-kilometre section between Ponte Barcala and Herbón features level 2-3 rapids, perfect for beginners.
- Tambre River: the rafting route runs from Ponte Alvar reservoir to Portomuro. This 8-kilometre descent (level 2-3) can only be done in winter during rainy periods.
In Pontevedra province, besides the Lerez river, we find the Deza and Miño rivers. Check here for the best rafting in Pontevedra offers.
- Deza River: a small 50km tributary of the Ulla. The 8km rafting section between Bascuas and Cira is available in autumn, spring and winter depending on rainfall.
- Miño River: Galicia's main river and Spain's second largest. It originates in Fuente Miña (Sierra de Meira), passing through Lugo, Ourense and Tui before emptying into the Atlantic between Caminha and La Guardia.
In Ourense province we have the Sil River. Click here for rafting offers in Ourense.
- Sil River: the Miño's main tributary, originating in FuenteSila. The 10km rafting section between Sobradelo and Barco de Valdeorras has low-medium difficulty.
