{"id":26914,"date":"2022-05-08T01:00:54","date_gmt":"2022-05-08T08:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=26914"},"modified":"2022-05-05T10:28:09","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T17:28:09","slug":"recreational-paddling-in-the-balkans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2022\/05\/08\/recreational-paddling-in-the-balkans\/","title":{"rendered":"Recreational Paddling in the Balkans"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Balkans: Europe\u2019s backyard playground. Easily accessible by car, the Balkan Peninsula (unofficially) stretches from Slovenia to Greece and hosts endless single or double-bladed aquatic adventures. Food is inexpensive and tasty, locals are friendly and there is an immense variety of water to play on and landscapes to explore. Simply pack a tent, paddling gear and strap your watercraft of choice on the roof, and hit the road! (Or\u2026if you don\u2019t trust your roof racks, there are ample places to rent boats along the way.)<\/p>\n

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Photo: Jens Klatt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here are a few suggestions of how you can paddle the Balkans and explore whitewater, saltwater and freshwater.<\/p>\n

Splash through Slovenia | Whitewater Kayaking
\n<\/strong>Where:<\/strong> The So\u010da and Sava Rivers. Start in Bovec or Kobarid to paddle the So\u010da, or between Bohinj or Bled to paddle the Sava.
\nWhen:<\/strong> April-September
\nWho:<\/strong> Whitewater kayakers comfortable with class II-IV whitewater.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever dipped a paddle in a Slovenian river, it\u2019s highly probable it was one of these two. They both originate in the northwestern corner of the country and offer a variety of whitewater segments with easy access. The emerald So\u010da starts in the Trenta Valley and winds its way south before crossing into northeastern Italy and meeting the Adriatic Sea. On the other side of the Julian Alps, the deep green Sava meanders southeast from its source near the Austrian border, transecting the entire country before crossing into Croatia and flowing into the mighty Danube River<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Both have quality whitewater appropriate for various abilities, but watching water levels and weather means you can get optimal flows for your skill level. Spring is often the time to be on these rivers with mountain snowmelt feeding them, but if rain is added to the equation, then the rivers become less friendly for beginners and more appealing for the pros.<\/p>\n