Outdoor: Canoeing: The Tarn
The river Tarn is probably most famous for the stunning new viaduct which crosses it at Millau (it is the world’s tallest road bridge). Despite this modernist presence, the Tarn remains one of the most unspoilt and exciting rivers in Southern Europe. It surges down from the heights of Mount Lozère and cuts its way through sheer-sided gorges for almost 400 kilometres towards the Garonne. Out of season this can be a wild and unpredictable river, yet in the summer months it provides some excellent canoeing.
Le Soulio boat centre is located at Le Cirque des Baumes, at the heart of the Tarn Gorge. It offers some superb trips along this famous stretch of the gorge.
Unlike many of the hire centres, trips from the centre actually start further upriver. This enables people to take as much time as they like for the descent and to get straight into their own vehicles upon return.
The first of the trips is a 10 km descent aptly named the Incontournable. This passes through some of the narrowest stretches of the gorge, with sheer cliffs rising on each side. At a steady pace it will take 3 to 4 hours, but merits frequent stops for swimming along the way and picnics. The 23 km Mémorable passes through some of the more challenging sections of the gorge with the occasional rapid to get the pulse racing. Allow an entire day for this one. The trip starts at 9am and needs to be booked in advance. During the months of May, June and September the centre offers an all-in weekend package which includes accommodation, meals and canoe hire. An excellent way to hone those kayaking skills.
Le Soulio is open from May until September. Reservations can be made by phone or on the internet. Note that regulations for the Tarn mean that hire centres cannot allow children who measure less than a metre.
The river Tarn is probably most famous for the stunning new viaduct which crosses it at Millau (it is the world’s tallest road bridge). Despite this modernist presence, the Tarn remains one of the most unspoilt and exciting rivers in Southern Europe. It surges down from the heights of Mount Lozère and cuts its way through sheer-sided gorges for almost 400 kilometres towards the Garonne. Out of season this can be a wild and unpredictable river, yet in the summer months it provides some excellent canoeing.
Le Soulio boat centre is located at Le Cirque des Baumes, at the heart of the Tarn Gorge. It offers some superb trips along this famous stretch of the gorge.
Unlike many of the hire centres, trips from the centre actually start further upriver. This enables people to take as much time as they like for the descent and to get straight into their own vehicles upon return.
The first of the trips is a 10 km descent aptly named the Incontournable. This passes through some of the narrowest stretches of the gorge, with sheer cliffs rising on each side. At a steady pace it will take 3 to 4 hours, but merits frequent stops for swimming along the way and picnics. The 23 km Mémorable passes through some of the more challenging sections of the gorge with the occasional rapid to get the pulse racing. Allow an entire day for this one. The trip starts at 9am and needs to be booked in advance. During the months of May, June and September the centre offers an all-in weekend package which includes accommodation, meals and canoe hire. An excellent way to hone those kayaking skills.
Le Soulio is open from May until September. Reservations can be made by phone or on the internet. Note that regulations for the Tarn mean that hire centres cannot allow children who measure less than a metre.
