Canoeing on the Drôme
Discover the Drôme by canoe kayak
Need to recharge your batteries for your next holiday? Let yourself be tempted by a stay in the Drôme. This département is just a few kilometres from the Ardèche. The gateway to the South, this department lies halfway between Lyon and Avignon, and can be visited all year round. Whether you’re visiting as a family, with friends or as a couple, this exceptional area guarantees a memorable holiday. The Drôme is particularly attractive for its rich heritage and exceptional landscapes.
This tourist destination also offers a wide range of outdoor activities. You can visit palaces, castles and the Cité du Chocolat. You can also go canoeing on the River Drôme, from which the region takes its name. At 160 km long, this wild river is the perfect place for canoeing and kayaking. What’s more, it offers a number of different bases with routes to suit all profiles. Take advantage of the descents on the transparent waterway to admire the lavender fields and nature parks.
Rent a canoe and your equipment at camping la Pinède
The campsite has all the equipment you need for your canoe trip! Hire a canoe in the Drôme at La Pinède campsite, ideal if you’re staying in Die. There are several canoe trips starting from the campsite. An all-in-one holiday without having to look any further for a canoe hire company in Die or the Drôme, that’s luxury!
Your equipment for a canoe trip down the Drôme
In summer, a T-shirt, swimming costume and hat are all you need for canoeing. And whatever the season, it’s essential to wear water shoes or old trainers (sandals and flip-flops are forbidden) and don’t forget your sun cream and plenty of water.
For risk-free boating on the Drôme, safety comes first. That’s why we equip you with a lifejacket. Helmets are also compulsory for children under 12. The campsite rental service in the Drôme provides you with a set of safety equipment, including lifejackets, paddles, waterproof canisters and helmets.
Where can you go canoeing on the Drôme?
3 canoe trips from the campsite
For your departure, we offer you a means of transport that is included in the rental package. We take you to Pont de Quart and you arrive at the campsite, or you leave from the campsite on the banks of the Drôme and we pick you up at Pontaix further down. Designed for the whole family, this type of outing combines tourism and sport and is suitable for both adults and children over the age of 6 who can swim and immerse themselves to a depth of 25 metres. Of course, there are no medical contraindications…
A trip down the Drôme in a canoe, following the direction of the current, is an exceptional and original adventure:
Pont-de-Quart → arrival to camping à Die
- Duration : 1h 30 à 3 h
- Distance: 9 km
- Difficulty: easy
If you’re new to the sport, try this wilder route when you book your canoeing trip. This canoe trip allows you to enjoy the river and indulge in some fun and pleasant pastimes.
Départ camping Die → Pontaix
- Duration: 2h à 3h30
- Distance : 11 km
- Difficulty: medium
One of the most beautiful canoe descents in France, this family-friendly route offers breathtaking views of the Vercors mountains.
Pont de Quart → Pontaix
- Duration: 3h à 6h
- Distance : 20 km
- Difficulty: medium
This route is ideal for first-time canoeists who want to discover the beauty of the village of Pontaix. The route also allows you to learn more about the characteristics of this river, gently as you go. And you might even spot the tracks and dams of our friends the beavers! The unspoilt environment and bathing spots mean you can take a break and enjoy the ride!
Other itineraries are offered by other rental companies, further downstream from the campsite, but Le Pinède is a good place to start or take a break along the way. You can spend the night here, or refresh yourself at the snack bar in the middle of the day!
Itineraries for a day’s canoeing
Saillans → Aouste-sur-Sye
- Duration: 3h à 5 h
- Distance : 14 km
- Difficulty: easy class 2 descent
Is this your first experience of kayaking in the Drôme? This trip is ideal for beginners. In addition to its low level of difficulty, it takes you through the heart of a vast valley. All along the way, you can plan breaks for refreshments and admire the lush green landscapes all around.
Die → Saillans
- Duration: 5h à 7h 30
- Distance : 27 km
- Difficulty: easy
This crossing, which is suitable for everyone, allows you to explore some of the most spectacular scenery in the Drôme, including the limestone strata at the water’s edge and the Diois region.
Sainte Croix → Saillans
- Duration : 4h à 5h30
- Distance : 20 km
- Difficulty: medium
Along the way, you can relax on the pebble beaches and enjoy the water.
Canoe trips over several days
Pont-de-Quart → Saillans
- Duration : 1 à 2 jours
- Distance : 33 km
- Difficulty: easy
Although it’s possible to complete the descent in just a few hours, 2 days is enough to guarantee an extraordinary adventure. Each day spent on the Drôme is full of surprises.
Sainte Croix → Crest
- Duration : 1 à 2 jours
- Distance : 34 km
- Difficulty: easy
This crossing can be completed in one or two days, with no portage and even fewer dams. Apart from a night in a bivouac and a few swimming spots along the way, you’ll be immersed in the heart of the unspoilt environment that makes the Drôme so beautiful.
Pont-de-Quart → Crest
- Duration : 1 à 2 jours
- Distance : 49 km
- Difficulty: easy
This is the longest descent of the Drôme, which is all the more reason to do it in 2 days and enjoy a great experience during your canoeing holiday. Swimming, freshwater fishing and picnicking are just some of the activities you can enjoy during this 2-day trip.
In the centre of the Vercors Regional Park and on the banks of the River Drôme, Camping La Pinède welcomes you for a stay as close to nature as possible. This 4-star establishment in the south of France offers a selection of affordable accommodation. Rent a mobile home or one of the pitches and enjoy a canoeing holiday at this renowned campsite.
What’s more, you’ll have access to a range of services including swimming pools, playgrounds, Wi-Fi, a launderette, a grocery shop and sanitary facilities. You can also take advantage of the leisure activities available on site, such as the petanque pitch (we lend you the boules!), the terrace of the bar-restaurant and the canoe trip down the Drôme. Please note that the departure points for the various canoe trips organised by the campsite vary according to the water level and the number of visitors, which are not the same in summer and spring.
