HI Sjoa-rafting — Experience Norway's roughest river trails

A river with personality

Sjoa starts his life up at Gjende, almost 1000 meters above sea level inside Jotunheimen. From there it flows through Sjodalen and down to Heidal — and this is where the magic happens. We're talking slipways of emerald-green meltwater, narrow gorges, small waterfalls, quiet parties, and currents that sometimes make you forget what's up and down.

This is what makes the river so special: it has personality. Some stretches are playful, others are technical, and some parties—especially the classic Class III—IV ranges—make the adrenaline sing a little extra loud. This is what people come for. And this is what people remember.

Heidal Rafting — 30+ years of river pleasure

The team at Heidal Rafting, they have been running since 1992, and you notice it right away: professional, warm and kind of “we love what we do” type of people. There is a security of its own in it.

They offer everything from short three-part trips to full-day tours where you really get to know what Sjoa can do.
Family rafting for the youngest (from about 7 years old), quiet stretches for beginners, and more technical races for the adventurous. So everyone can participate -- in their own way.

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When you're standing there in the wetsuit...

There's something separate about putting on your wetsuit, helmet and life jacket. You know the nerves a little bit, but in a good way -- such a “here we are” feeling.

You go down to the river. You can smell the cold meltwater. You hear the sound of rock and water hitting each other. And when the rubber boat is deployed, something strange happens: you both relax and tense up at the same time.

The guide shouts: “Forward! One, two, three — braaa!”

And suddenly you're in the middle of it. Water splashes, laughter, shouts, cheers -- and a couple of moments where you feel the river is in charge, not you. But that's exactly what makes rafting in Sjoa so incredibly fun. You are gira.

Åsengjuvet, Sjoa Classic and everything in between

There are many iconic parties in Sjoa — some are suitable for absolutely everyone, while others are for those who really want to know the pulse.

Among the highlights are:

• Sjoa Classic — perhaps Norway's most famous rafting route
• Åsengjuvet — narrow, dramatic, aesthetically wild
• Family rafting — calmer, but still full of energy and joy
• Full-day tours — Sjoa from start to finish, with both technical and playful parties

These are trips that create memories that last. It's hard to explain the feeling -- you almost just have to do it.

A little adrenaline rush — and a great nature experience

When you get out of the boat after the trip, there's always the same vibe in the air: people breathing heavily, laughing, combing their hair out of their eyes, and saying things like “oh my God” and “I'm doing this again.”

And then you stand there, with wet hair and warm face, in the middle of Heidal -- surrounded by mountains, forests and that tranquility that only comes after a rush of nature and adrenaline.

It's the perfect combination: pulse + nature + community + a little touch of madness.

In Sjoa, it works. Every single time.

Explore Sjoa

Next time you are in Gudbrandsdalen...

Visit Sjoa. Join the rafting. Experience one of Europe's best rivers, guided by people who really know this. It's an experience that settles -- in the body, in the memory, in the smile.