Hoces del Cabriel. The rafting mecca between Valencia and Cuenca
What are the Hoces del Cabriel?
The Hoces del Cabriel is a nature reserve located on the border of Cuenca province next to the Valencian Community.
It was declared a natural park by the Valencian government in 2005. The Cabriel River serves as the boundary between both provinces. It's called the "Hoces del Cabriel Nature Reserve".
The nature reserve is located in the Requena-Utiel region, between Cuenca and Albacete, and includes the municipalities of Requena, Venta del Moro and Villargordo del Cabriel.
The Hoces form a landscape carved into the rock over thousands of years. Other notable sites include the Cinorrio ravine and Rabo de la Sartén.
Rafting in Hoces del Cabriel
Valencia has two rafting areas: Hoces del Cabriel and the Mijares course. The Cabriel has the longest navigable sections and is most suitable for this sport. It has become one of the reference locations for rafting in Spain.
All kinds of water sports can be practiced here, but the most popular in Hoces del Cabriel is white water rafting.
White water rafting is ideal for enjoying with friends while taking in the stunning landscapes of Hoces del Cabriel.
To properly appreciate the Hoces, you need to descend by raft.
The Hoces has two sections:
- Family rafting section: The whole family including children can enjoy this descent as it's a straightforward section without complications or dangers. The difficulty level is low.
- White water rafting section: Recommended only for groups with previous rafting experience. This section isn't suitable for children under 14. The difficulty level is medium-high.
The rafting takes place on the Cabriel River which has a 20-kilometre distance. It requires experience in this sport as the difficulty level is medium-high. The activity lasts approximately 4 hours and the best time of year is between April and September. It's one of the most popular and fun activities you can do on the Cabriel River, just one hour from Valencia.
The descent takes place in the Hoces del Río Cabriel Natural Park, where you can observe all its wonders including cave paintings and the Cuchillos del Cabriel.
The section begins at the foot of the Contreras dam, entering through Peña Azul and ending at the medieval Vadocañas bridge.
It features grade III and even IV rapids, depending on water releases. There are also technical passages, wave trains, jumps into pools and clean currents for the best experience in Hoces del Cabriel.
The final river section has platforms allowing for a swim after the entire descent.
The minimum group size for the raft descent is 6 people, with a maximum of 14 people per raft.
