Kayaking lets you fully enjoy all the excitement and sensations you get from taking to the river in a small craft. It does require more technique than other kinds of boating, so most kayaking revolves around beginners' or advanced courses.

For example, those offered by Roc Roi. This is a pioneering firm that was commissioned to organise the 2001 Rodeo World Kayak Championships. It offers three and five day courses, as well as weekend clinics for beginners: two and three day technique improvement sessions for intermediate levels.

Another interesting option is with Open-Kayak River People Staff. It is ideal for beginners, since you can get to parts of the river that are inaccessible with other types of boat, surf waves, paddle upstream and acquire the necessary techniques. A new feature this season is the twin kayak, enabling you to enjoy the experience with company.

Always in good hands

Whatever the conditions, the organisers will always provide you with the necessary equipment for kayaking: neoprene suit, lifejacket, helmet, paddle, kayak boots and Dagger or Pyranha canoes. All trips are accompanied by a licensed instructor or river guide. 

In the Sort area there are a number of different routes. Beginners can do the eight-kilometre Escaló to Llavorsí section. For the seven-kilometre Roc Roi to Gulleri stretch some previous experience is advisable. The longest stretch (10 kilometres) starts from Guerri and meanders through the Collegats Gorge.

The best time of year for kayaking is from June to September, when temperatures are at their most most agreeable, although unlike other white water sports, it can be practised all year round.

With Romanic art as your guide

Staying in Sort enables you to appreciate the many features that Pallars Sobirà  has to offer. For example, you can visit natural sites such as the Pla de Boet, the forest of Mata de València and the Caza de Boumort National Park (tel. 973 283 930), where if you're lucky you might see some deer. 

Throughout the district there are numerous traces of Romanic art. Not to be missed are the bridges of Esterri d’Àneu, the paintings of Santa María de Ginestarre and the chapels of Sant Julià de Unarre and Santa Maria de Arboló.

If you decide to eat in Sort, you can visit Fogony restaurant (tel. 973 621 225), which produces a modern version of the local cuisine, which is rich in original native dishes, reflecting the fact that Sort often used to be cut off from the outside world in winter. This gave rise to such dishes as ''trumfes'' (potatoes) with black cabbage, previously hung out to be ''burnt'' by the snow. Other restaurants in Sort include Pessets (tel. 973 620 000) and Casa Joantet (tel. 973 620 235).