We have been running a lot of Ardeche plus Alps river trips this summer and this recent trip is a great example of experiencing open boating in an increasingly challenging environment.

The Ardeche 2 day river trip with bivy at Gaunier is a special two day trip. A chance to experience the splendour of the Gorge in an open canoe and to improve canoeing skills on a range of rapids.

We drove to Vallon Pont d’Arc and had coffee and quiche at Cafe du Nord. Topped up with food and supplies for the river at Intermarche and then drove to the get in at Chames.

Although the Ardeche was running low water, you didn’t need to do any boat dragging through the shallows and there were still a few fun waves.

Needless to say, the bivy was a BBQ and great fun telling stories and sky watching. Day 2 on the Ardeche is a nice paddle, with plenty of rapids and features for all paddle abilities.

On this trip, every opportunity for a rapid swim or a jump from rocks was maximised by the group.

The get off was St Martin and where we had ice cream and a beer while the shuttles were organised back to accommodation.

The following morning we got up, sorted out kit and loaded the boats ready for driving to the Alps. It’s a 3 to 4 hour drive from the Ardeche to the Alps, with a stop in Gap for the obligatory Decathlon and McDonalds visit.

Then a drive to Lac de Serre-Poncon for the bivy at Carlsberg which is a located near to Savines le Lac.

This is a classic trip. Done over 3 or more days. We stayed 2 nights at Carlsberg Bivy, located on the banks of Lac de Serre-Poncon.

Camp fires and night paddles on the lake. This was a great trip.

Called Carlsberg, because if Carlsberg made bivys…

This truly is an amazing wild bivy, a chance to share stories and experiences around a campfire under the stars.

Lac de Serre-Ponçon is one of the largest lakes in Europe. With a fetch of 13km, it is a massive body of water.

In the morning, after the first night at Carlsberg, we paddled back over to the vehicles. It’s a deceptive paddle. I felt I was going backwards with the tide that morning. We loaded the boats and headed off for the river.

Starting just above the infamous Raibioux, everyone was nervous about running this rapid. For the first time ever, everyone made it through the Rab and the whole river trip without any capsizes. The line on the Rabioux was hard left. A bumpy ride and all was fine.

We got out above Iron Bridge on this occasion, as river levels made it the best option. We drove to Embrum and had a meal in a local restaurant.

I must say, it was the first time I had entrecote aux morilles. Exquisite. We had the meal, enjoyed stories and laughter, then headed back to Carlsberg, with a night paddle over the lake and back to the campfire. I had left my iPhone in my tent at Carlsberg. But no-one had disturbed our secret location.

The following morning was the highlight of the trip, without doubt, rafting the Ubaye Racecourse and the Ubaye Gorge. An amazing trip. I feel privileged to have paddled this water. Class 5 rapids, only accessible by kayakers on a major mission. Rafting this was a treat.

This was a 4 hour trip through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps.

An immense privilege to paddle this water with this group of people. The raft guides we work with on this trip really know their stuff.

A great trip. Bring on the next one!