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FRENCH BROAD RIVER RAFTING
he French Broad River offers all of the aspects
that make for a great day on the river. The
water is warm and the huge boulders and rugged
terrain create a spectacular backdrop. The rapids
are definitely big enough to satisfy the adventure side of
paddling, but they are also playful and fun without being
too difficult. The river has a lot of deep pools that are
great for swimming and the plentiful beaches make for
nice places to picnic. The French Broad has everything
you’d want on a river, including options that make for fun
half day or full day trips. An interesting aspect is that it is
purportedly the 3rd oldest river in the world, which makes
for some really interesting geography that’s evident in the
scenic landscapes along the river. A big bonus is its close
proximity to Asheville that makes it easy to head back
to town and grab dinner and beer from a variety of the
incredible restaurants and breweries. All in all, the French
T
Broad River is a great adventure for folks looking to get out
and enjoy the river. Section 9 features some of the most fun
and exciting rapids of the entire 218-mile-long river. With a
combination of action-packed rapids and great scenery, this
section offers an incredible river experience that is hard to
beat. The big waves of the Class III Big Pillow Rapid provide
a good introduction to the rapids and long wave trains that
lie ahead on the scenic journey through the French Broad
River Gorge. Paddlers can stop at Jump Rock for a 10-foot
plunge into a nice, deep pool before heading downstream
for more rapids. Characteristic diagonal ledges create long
and engaging routes through rapids like The Maze, Ledges,
Pit Stop, and the infamous class IV Frank Bell’s Rapid. A
large part of the 8+ mile section of river includes some
very beautiful scenery through a stretch of Pisgah National
Forest. In total, this river trip takes anywhere from a half day
to a full day.