Kayak Tuscany: Lima & Serchio rapids with certified guide

Paddle class II and III rapids as a beginner on an inflatable kayak built for them

Kayak Tuscany is a 3-hour whitewater descent of the Lima stream (spring and autumn) or Serchio river (summer) near the spa town of Bagni di Lucca, guided by a certified instructor. You paddle a single-seater packraft through class II and III rapids, designed to let beginners handle moving water safely. The activity suits travelers 16 and over who weigh under 100kg and have moderate fitness. A shuttle takes you from the meeting point to base camp, and you return by the same route at the end.

The experience

The Lima and Serchio rivers run through the Garfagnana Valley and Lima Gorges, a landscape of ancient rock faces and tight canyon walls that most Tuscany visitors never see. You reach the meeting point, board a shuttle to base camp, then slip into a single-seater packraft: an inflatable kayak designed to absorb the shock of rapids while staying stable enough for someone paddling whitewater for the first time. The boat is what makes class II and III rapids manageable without prior river experience.

The 3-hour descent keeps you moving through the water the whole time. You paddle through sections of moving current, work the paddle to stay upright in the chop, and read the river ahead as your guide calls out the line. Midway through, your instructor supervises a 5-meter cliff dive into a pool: optional, but most paddlers take it. The Garfagnana's rock walls rise around you as you go, and the water stays cold enough that the neoprene wetsuit, boots and gloves matter. At the end, the shuttle brings you back to where you started.

A certified guide leads in English or Italian and stays with the group the whole way. The minimum is two paddlers, so you're never alone on the water, and the operator runs the only whitewater kayaking activity on these rivers in Tuscany. Moderate fitness is the baseline. You're paddling for three hours straight, not watching from a boat.

What’s included

• Certified guide in English or Italian.
• neoprene wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, neoprene boots and paddle.
• shuttle transport from meeting point to base camp and back.
• supervised cliff dive into a pool midway through the descent.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 60 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Firenze Rafting

Is this one for you?Book this if you're paddling with a friend or small group and want to run real rapids without years of kayaking behind you. The packraft and guide are built around that exact situation. Solo travelers should confirm the operator can match them with other paddlers, since the minimum is two.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I kayak the Lima and Serchio if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The packraft is designed for beginners to handle class II and III rapids safely. Your guide stays with you the entire descent and teaches you the paddle strokes and river reading you need as you go.

What's the difference between the Lima and Serchio rivers?

The Lima runs in spring and autumn when water levels are high enough. The Serchio is the summer option. Both flow through the same Garfagnana Valley and Lima Gorges near Bagni di Lucca, and both carry class II and III rapids.

What do I need to bring, and what's provided?

The operator provides neoprene wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, neoprene boots and paddle. You can bring a bathing suit, sneakers and a thermal T-shirt if you want extra layers, and a towel is optional. Check with the operator at booking about what works best for the season.

How long does the whole experience take?

The activity itself is 3 hours on the water. Add time for the shuttle ride to base camp and back, and plan for roughly four hours total from the meeting point.

Who can't do this kayaking?

The activity is not open to children under 16 or people weighing over 100kg. It's also not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy. Moderate physical fitness is required because you're paddling continuously for three hours.