A Whitewater guide to the rivers of chile
This Winter/Spring run flows of the northwestern flanks of Volcan Tolhuaca 2806 meters and forms the border between Chile´s 8 th Region Bio Bio and The Arauacanía 9th region. Most of the river lies within the Reserva Nacional Malleco The … Read More »
This Winter/Spring run flows of the peaks of Cordon Infiernillo (1972 meters) , Blanquillo (1780 meters) and Cordon Cholguan (2148 meters) and forms the border between Provincia Bio Bio and Ñuble both of which are in Chile´s 8th Region. Cholguan … Read More »
Meaning rainbow in local language the Huepíl is nailbiting run through an overlooked part of Chile´s 8th region… The river would normally have paltry flows in summer months but due to hydrological rerouting water from both the Rio Molcho … Read More »
A classic multi-day run in Chiles South Central Andes which has all the good stuff you want in a river trip. The river flows basically south through the Reserva Nacional Ñuble in Chile´s 8th region. Towering snow peaks provide for … Read More »
The Ñiblinto is a newly found classic flowing of the NorthWest flank of the Chillan Volcano in Chile´s Central Andes. The class 4-5 run features crsytal-clear, cold water and a mature granite streambed. Apart from one misplaced tree all drops … Read More »
The Rio Cato is mellow, class 3, low elevation drainage in Chile´s south central Andes located immediately to the south of it´s more famous neighbor the Rio Ñuble. The beautiful valley makes up for the lack of challenging whitewater and … Read More »
The crystal clear water flowing of the Western Flank of the Nevados de Chillan Volcano (3212 Meters above sea level)are perfectly matched with basalt sluiceways, making for fun class 3-4 kayak run. The Rio Chillan is a winter and early … Read More »
The Rio Ñirementum is a journey deep into Chile´s traditional Mapuche culture. The river is within the boundaries of the Cañicu Indigenous clan, one of several in the Queuco valley in the country´s 8th Region. The name means ¨place of … Read More »
One of many overlooked tributaries of the Bio Bio in Chile´s 8th Region. The Quillaleo (pronounce Ki-yah-leh-yo) is an upper tributary of the Huequecura, which enters the Bio bio downstream of the Queuco confluence. Rio Quillaleo The Quillaleo has its … Read More »
Most people think of the Bio Bio River drainage and envision the three large dams choking a once magnificent river. While true, smaller volume, free-flowing, whitewater opportunities are still abundant in the Bio Bio watershed. Once such gem is the … Read More »
The Rio Las Truchas is one of the few multi-day river trips in Chile and features both outstanding whitewater and spectacular scenery. It is an upper tributary of the Ñuble River (see separate description) and needs to be run with … Read More »
While paddling down the still free flowing stretch of the Upper Bío-Bío, the magnificent view of Volcán Callaqui (3050 m) first comes into view at the confluence with the Río Llanquén. This little drainage offers a fun, short, steep creek … Read More »
Lying on the doorstep of the lower Bío-Bío, the Río Queuco is one of the most overlooked, easy-access rivers in Chile. Flowing beneath the towering granitic heights of Cerro LaPepa (1853 m) and the Cordillera Tricauro, the Queuco sports a … Read More »
Accumulating first in a lake on the flanks of Volcan Tolhuaca, the Rio Malleco then plunges off a breathtaking 50 meter (165′) falls before starting its western journey towards the Pacific Ocean. It is at the base of Salto Malleco … Read More »
The Diguillín River (pronounced Dee-Gee-Yin) is a low volume winter/spring run in Chile’s 8th region. Having a granite streambed, crystal clear water, and fun pool-drop rapids, makes the Diguillín an attractive springtime option. Nestled into a canyon at the base … Read More »
Rio Nuble near Chillan, Chile. Class three and four. 16km upper section. Class 3 and 4 with long stretches of flatwater.