Minimum age
5 years old
+ 1.15 m tall
Strict safety requirement. Minors who do not meet the minimum are not admitted, even if accompanied or knowing how to swim. It is required by the certified jacket and the insurance companies.
In family · 2026 season
Sella River descent
Sella River descent
with kids
A family adventure in Asturias. A safe, organised day adapted to the kids' pace — with certified instructors, all kids gear included and a river designed to enjoy together.
Age 5 + 1.15 m · minimum age
€25 Per child · all inclusive
4.5 ⭐ 147 reviews
— The classic question
Can you do the Sella
Can you do the Sella
descent with kids?
Yes, and it is one of the best ways to enjoy Asturias as a family. It is an outdoor plan, very visual, exciting and adaptable to the kids' pace. With good organisation, gear by size and certified instructors, the day becomes a memory you'll want to repeat.
The key is not in the river, it is in how the activity is prepared: certified jacket by size, mini-class before launching, canoe shared with a responsible adult, unhurried stops and a team that picks you up at the end so the logistics aren't a burden. That's what we do.
A day on the Sella,
step by step
Knowing how the day unfolds helps families decide. This is the usual flow of the experience — no rush, no surprises.
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Arrival and reception
We welcome you at our facilities in Arriondas. We resolve doubts, check your booking and explain the plan for the day. Free private parking included.
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Gear by size
We hand out canoe, paddles, certified life jackets and gear adapted to each child’s size. In the cold season, kids wetsuit included.
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Mini-class with instructor
Before getting on the water, certified instructors explain how to paddle, how to turn, what to do if the canoe tips over and safety guidelines. Tailored to the group’s level.
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Launch from the ramp
We start from our private 35 m ramp to the river — a spectacular launch that kids love. Children go down in a canoe shared with a responsible adult.
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Stops and swims
There are calm river beaches along the route to stop, swim or simply rest. No rush, at your own family pace.
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Return by transfer
When you finish, our transfer picks you up and takes you back to Arriondas. Changing rooms with hot showers and lockers waiting for you. Day sorted.
What concerns parents,
and how we resolve it
Every family's first question is "is it safe?" — and it is logical. The short answer is yes, when done with common sense, proper gear and clear explanation before launching.
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Certified life jackets by size
Specific kids' jackets, checked and adapted. Not generic ones.
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Certified instructors and Sella champions
Not summer interns. Years descending the river with families.
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Canoe shared with a responsible adult
The child is never alone. Someone is always in control.
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The tourist Sella is a calm river
Not white-water. Calm current with a few moderate class I rapids.
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Mandatory insurance included
Full coverage for the whole family during the activity.
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Mini-class before launching
How to paddle, how to stop and the basic river guidelines, explained before getting on the water. Nobody launches without knowing what to do.
What to keep in mind
before booking
Adult company
Children always go down in a canoe shared with a responsible adult. The activity adapts to the pace of the youngest in the group — no rush or pressure.
Knowing how to swim
It is mandatory. Knowing how to swim is a legal requirement for all participants. It is also important that the kid has no fear of water and follows the instructor’s guidance.
Weather
The activity goes ahead in light rain — it has its charm. It is only suspended for objective safety reasons (river flood, thunderstorm). In that case, free date change or full refund.
What to bring to descend
the Sella with kids
No need to overpack — what matters is included in the booking. This is the only thing you need to bring so the day is comfortable.
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Comfortable clothes that can get wet
Swimsuit + technical or light cotton t-shirt
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Secure water footwear
Water shoes, crocs with heel strap, old trainers — no loose flip-flops
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Towel + full change of clothes
To change after the shower at the end
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Water-resistant sunscreen
SPF 50+ for the kids — the river reflection multiplies the sun
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Water and a small snack
Hydration is key — and the riverside bars are optional stops along the route
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Spare kids clothing
Long sleeves + long trousers in case it cools down at the end
We provide everything else: unsinkable canoe, kids' life jackets, double paddle, wetsuit on cold dates, waterproof barrel, mini-class with certified instructor, return transfer, guarded private parking, changing rooms with hot showers, locked lockers and insurance.
The most complete
family plan on the Sella
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Certified instructors
International Sella Descent champions, with years on the Sella and experience with families.
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All inclusive, no extras
Canoe, life jackets, wetsuit in season, mini-class, transfer, guarded parking, changing rooms with showers and locked lockers.
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Flexible family pace
You choose on the water if you want the Mini route (Toraño, 7 km) or the Full one (Fríes, 14.5 km). No surcharge for changing.
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Private ramp · optional
Comfortable launch from our 35+ m ramp — kids love it and it gives confidence. If you prefer, you embark at river level.
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Pets travel free
If your family comes with a dog, it travels at no cost in the canoe. The whole tribe together.
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No payment now
Reserve your spot without paying upfront. Pay by card before or on the day when picking up the canoe — as you prefer.
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Change or cancel
Flexible changes and cancellations before the day. If you paid by card, refund with 24 h notice.
What those who have
already descended say
Great service, attentive and very friendly staff. The experience was amazing, I loved it.
Everything on time and very friendly. An experience to try once in a lifetime, recommended for young and old.
Worth it. Changing rooms and showers after the activity. Fun briefing, a barrel for your things and the rest is provided by the river.
Before booking,
take a look at this
From what age can kids descend the Sella?
Minors can take part from age 5 and a minimum height of 1.15 m. It is a strict safety requirement — not only because of the life jacket, but also due to insurance companies and the nature of the river (current, variable depth, sections with gentle rapids). Minors who do not meet the minimum are not admitted, even accompanied by an adult or knowing how to swim.
Is the Sella descent safe with kids?
Yes, when done with an experienced company and proper gear. Children always go in a canoe shared with a responsible adult, with a certified life jacket by size, after a mini-class with a certified instructor. The Sella in its tourist section is calm river, not white-water — gentle current with some very moderate class I rapids. The vast majority of descents go without incidents.
Is it necessary to know how to swim?
Yes. Knowing how to swim is a legal requirement for all participants, including children. The life jacket is an aid, not a substitute for knowing how to swim. It is also important that the child has no fear of water and follows the instructor’s guidance. If your little one still can’t swim confidently, better wait for another season.
How long does the descent with kids take?
It depends on the route and family pace. The Mini Sella (Arriondas → Toraño, 7 km) takes 2-3 h and is the most recommended with younger kids. The Full one (Arriondas → Fríes, 14.5 km) takes 4-5 h — ideal for kids aged 8-9 and up with good disposition. You choose on the water, not at booking.
Can you stop along the route?
Yes, and it is one of the best things about the family descent. There are calm river beaches along the river where you can stop to swim, rest or simply contemplate. No schedules or rush — you set the pace.
What if the little one gets tired or wants to stop?
No problem. If the child gets tired, the adults can keep paddling while they rest in the canoe. If the chosen route is too long, on the Full route there is an intermediate stop at Toraño (km 7) where you can finish — just let our team know on arrival there. The price and what’s included don’t change.
What happens if it rains?
The activity goes ahead — descending the Sella in light rain has its charm. It is only suspended for objective safety reasons (river flood, thunderstorm). If that’s the case, we offer free date change or full refund.
Is it okay with kids who have never been in a canoe?
Perfectly. No previous canoeing experience is needed. Our canoes are flat-bottomed and very stable, and before launching you receive a brief technical talk with certified instructors to learn how to handle the paddle. The vast majority of families who descend the Sella with us have never paddled before — the first few minutes on the water already give confidence.
Do you have changing rooms and hot showers?
Yes. After finishing the route and returning by our transfer, you have changing rooms with hot water showers, locked lockers and toilets. You can change comfortably before continuing the day or going back to the hotel/apartment.
How much does the Sella descent with kids cost?
€25 per child (5-12 years, sharing a canoe with an adult) and €35 per adult (from age 13). It is price per person, not per canoe. All inclusive, no extras, pets travel free. You can see the full breakdown on the prices page.
— Book your day
Family adventure
Family adventure
on the Sella
A different, beautiful and memorable plan to share with your children. Book without paying now — pay by card or on the day when picking up the canoe.
Limited spots on high-demand days.