White-water activities on the Gave
To combine nature and adventure, nothing beats white-water activities. Rapids to challenge yourself and get an adrenaline rush, calmer zones to catch your breath and enjoy the ecosystem… the Gave delivers on every stretch. All that’s left is to choose the activity that best fits your wishes and your current shape. Head to Béarn des Gaves, on the edge of the Basque Country and the Landes.
The Gave for newcomers…
A gave is the local name for a river or mountain torrent in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and more particularly in Béarn, Bigorre and the Basque Country. The Béarn gaves such as those of Oloron, Aspe, Ossau or Pau are exceptional, just like La Saison (Mauléon gave) which flows into the Oloron. Wide and powerful on some stretches, they offer varied atmospheres throughout their course to the ocean. Their rapids are also fed by the heavy rainfall typical of these areas between coast and mountains. The highest flows are seen at snowmelt, when they promise thrills in harmony with nature.
The best of white-water activities on the gaves
To tame the most beautiful wild rivers safely, call on a regional professional. They’ll advise you on the most suitable sports and pass on the techniques to master the white waters. To match emotions with sensations:
- Airboating, Canorafting (canoë-rafting), mini-rafting… Ces sports sur embarcations gonflables sont les plus accessibles aux débutants. Vous aimerez aussi le hot-dog, hybride entre le raft et le canoë-kayak avec pagaies doubles. Le rafting promet de supers moments en groupe (jusqu’à 10/12 personnes).
- Canoëing, kayaking… les sports de pagaie à coque rigide les plus connus à pratiquer en solo ou à 2/3. Sur les zones plus calmes, vous verrez peut-être un saumon sauter devant votre proue ou un héron cendré.
- Canyoning, Hydrospeed, Stand Up Paddle (SUP), Tubing… ces disciplines qui mixent différentes techniques permettent d’appréhender les eaux les plus tumultueuses. Elles sont plébiscitées par les plus sportifs et les plus téméraires. L’hydrospeed s’apparente à la nage en eau-vive mais se pratique avec un flotteur et des palmes. Pour descendre un gave en tubing, accrochez-vous bien aux poignées de la chambre à air. Pour le SUP, il faudra ramer sur une planche tout en gardant votre équilibre.
Between two thrills, the instructors will let you enjoy the wooded or pebbled banks and the magnificent views.
Practical information
All activities on the gaves are physical — don’t overestimate your strength and follow the professionals’ advice. The ideal is to plan at least half a day from April to late October. Many leisure centres offer outings (family or trekking-style) as well as courses. The team at Camping Beau Rivage in Navarrenx on the banks of the Gave d’Oloron can pass on “tried and approved” contacts. The 3-star site at one of the launch spots is also about 20 km from Oloron-Sainte-Marie, where the gave splits into the Gave d’Aspe and the Gave d’Ossau. Book a fully equipped chalet, a lodge tent or a spacious pitch right now. South-East of the campsite you can run trips on the Gave d’Ossau from Laruns to Lake Castet, one of the most beautiful lakes in Béarn. Take the chance to discover the famous “Flip-Flap” wave (Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre), a freestyle-kayak competition spot on the Gave de Pau. Not quite ready to “get wet in the gaves”? Settle on the banks and enjoy the show — you won’t be disappointed! In Oloron-Sainte-Marie, near the 3-metre weir drop, you’ll get a glimpse of the eddies and feats the bravest can pull off. Did you know that Pau, 40 km from the campsite, has an international white-water stadium where you can train all year round?
