T-Rafting: river adventures in Florence, Arezzo and Val d’Elsa
Rafting, packrafting, kayaking and river trekking to discover Tuscany's waterways
Have you ever thought about paddling through Florence under Ponte Vecchio? T-Rafting takes you on a discovery of the Arno, the Elsa and Tuscan torrents with expert, qualified guides, offering a choice between iconic urban routes and wild canyons.
Relaxing moments or high-adrenaline thrills, accessible to everyone, from ages 4 to 100+!
- Dual-qualified guides: rafting and environmental
- Urban soft rafting at Ponte Vecchio, all year round
- Canyon trekking in the Ciuffenna stream in Valdarno
- River routes off the beaten track
- Activities for families, beginners and groups
- Packrafting and river trekking on the Elsa river in summer
- Team building, school groups, and stag and hen parties
Discover T-Rafting
- Dual-qualified guides: rafting and environmental
- Urban soft rafting at Ponte Vecchio, all year round
- Canyon trekking in the Ciuffenna stream in Valdarno
- River routes off the beaten track
- Activities for families, beginners and groups
- Packrafting and river trekking on the Elsa river in summer
- Team building, school groups, and stag and hen parties
Discover T-Rafting
River adventures
River adventures in Valdarno, Valdelsa and lower Casentino
With T-Rafting, explore Tuscany from a unique perspective: gliding effortlessly along the water.
Yes, because you enjoy absolute safety from the initial briefing to the end of each trip. In fact, our team guides are dual-qualified as rafting guides and environmental hiking guides. During the descent, they will share insights about the local geology, biodiversity, and the history of the places you pass through.
Activities range from urban soft rafting in Florence to river trekking in the wild canyons of Pratomagno on the Valdarno side, as well as passing through the turquoise waters of the Elsa near Siena.
No previous experience is required: the trips are designed to be accessible to everyone, from 4-year-old children to active grandparents!
Rafting and Soft Rafting between Florence and Arezzo
This activity takes place on board a multi-person raft where the group paddles together, following the guide’s commands.
Soft rafting is the most accessible version: ideal for urban and lake environments, it is suitable for all ages and perfect for enjoying the scenery in total tranquillity.
Did you know you can enjoy a sunset toast under Ponte Vecchio? You will paddle through the heart of Florence, admiring iconic monuments such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Vasari Corridor, with the highlight being the passage right beneath the arches of Ponte Vecchio.
Find out more in the dedicated experience section!
Packrafting: freedom on every river
An individual experience on small, single-seater inflatable rafts, similar to canoes but with the stability typical of a raft. It is manoeuvred with a double paddle, always following at least one guide leading the way. Perfect for those looking for that extra dash of adventure.
Canyon Trek (River Trekking) in Loro Ciuffenna
T-Rafting’s wildest experience takes place in the Ciuffenna stream, a natural canyon at the foot of Pratomagno, right in the heart of one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
You explore the river by walking directly along the riverbed, with plunges into pools, swims, and natural slides formed by the rocks.
All technical equipment is provided: wetsuit and helmet.
It requires a minimum level of physical agility.
Discover all the details in the dedicated experience section.
Kayaking in Florence, Mugello or Arezzo
T-Rafting uses open and stable tandem “sit-on-top” kayaks, ideal for flat water locations like Lake Bilancino in Mugello, the Ponte Buriano and Penna Nature Reserve near Arezzo, or even the Arno at Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Perfect for small groups or couples, as well as larger parties.
Team building, school groups and stag parties
A story from the team: one day, a stag party and a hen party booked the exact same tour at the same time. The result was a memorable descent filled with good-natured clamour, raft-to-raft challenges, and a fantastic shared party atmosphere. This is the most social side of river sports at its best!
Listening to the Arno
"Listening" to the Arno: an experience that left its mark
One of the moments that left the deepest mark on the T-Rafting team was guiding a group of visually impaired and blind visitors on the Arno.
The guides had to “reinvent” the briefing, focusing entirely on a sensory experience: they let them touch the raft to understand its shape and narrated the surrounding landscape as if it were a film.
The biggest surprise? The participants could perceive the width of the river far better than the guides could ever have imagined. They noticed when the waterway widened or narrowed, simply by “listening”.
The history and the staff
T-Rafting: a story still to be written
T-Rafting was founded around ten years ago as an association before transforming into a sports club. The initial spark was struck in the Mugello region, on the upper stretch of the Sieve river.
At the time, activities were supported by an agreement with a local campsite and guaranteed regular water releases from the Bilancino dam, ensuring continuous navigation. When the dam management changed, water availability dropped drastically. However, the team didn’t give up and showed a great spirit of adaptation, developing new routes that have now become our trademark: urban rafting under Ponte Vecchio and summer activities on the Elsa river.
Today, the people at the helm of T-Rafting are Alessandro Astolfi (President) and Pietro Baroni (Vice Director since 2020).
All guides are professionally trained with accredited certifications, but the true training happens internally: our activities are so specific that they require a deep knowledge of the area and skills that combine river rescue and environmental education.
“Because of their training, environmental guides have an extra eye for people management and an educational approach that is unfortunately hard to find in many other places,” explains Alessandro.
School programmes
School programmes: rafting as an educational tool
The “Discover your river” project is active throughout Tuscany thanks to an agreement between the MUR and the Italian Rafting Federation, which awards educational credits to both students and teachers.
Educational programmes are designed for primary and secondary schools, integrating outdoor activities with theoretical learning. Children and young people can discover the area in an active way, exploring the environment and river history through a multidisciplinary approach involving science, technology, history and sport.
Rafting thus becomes an educational tool to delve deeper into river ecosystems, flora, fauna and water quality. Students study the mills, paper factories and ancient workshops that harnessed the river’s driving force. They learn about ancient river trade and cargo transport, whilst working on coordination, crew management and social integration.
“Every year we guide so many young people, especially in the Arezzo area. Seeing them full of enthusiasm as they paddle and ask questions about nature confirms that we are doing something truly important,” concludes Pietro.
Faq
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Where do T-Rafting activities take place?
Activities take place mainly in Florence, the Casentino area near Arezzo, Loro Ciuffenna and Colle di Val d’Elsa. In Florence, soft rafting on the Arno runs all year round, passing under Ponte Vecchio. In lower Casentino and the Ponte Buriano and Penna Nature Reserve, we operate in spring and summer. River trekking takes place in the Ciuffenna stream in Loro Ciuffenna. In Colle di Val d’Elsa, summer activities focus on the Elsa river. Upon request, trips can also be organised in Mugello, the Lima Valley and the Merse Valley.
When is the best time to take part?
It depends on the chosen experience. Soft rafting in Florence is available all year round, with sunset trips being particularly evocative in summer. Rafting in Arezzo and Casentino takes place from February to April, when the rivers have optimal water levels. Activities in Colle di Val d’Elsa are purely seasonal during summer, ideal for cooling off in the turquoise waters of the Elsa river.
What is the minimum age to take part?
For soft rafting in Florence, the minimum age is 4 years old: it is a gentle activity suitable for families with children and grandparents. For the canyon trek in Loro Ciuffenna, as it is more sporty and dynamic, the minimum age is 10 years old.
How many participants per trip?
The number of participants for T-Rafting trips varies depending on the selected experience and the type of boat used.
- Soft Rafting (e.g. Florence): the minimum number to run the activity is 4 or 5 people. Each raft can accommodate an average of 6-7 adults. If the group exceeds this number, a second guide and an additional raft are provided. For couples (2 people) who do not reach the minimum requirement for a raft, the activity is offered in sit-on-top kayaks.
- Canyon Trek (Loro Ciuffenna): a minimum group of 6 people is required for this activity. If the number of participants is lower (for example, a couple), it is possible to arrange a private tour by paying the equivalent of the six-person minimum rate to make the trip viable. In general, activities are managed “on demand” to form unique groups for each booking. We may also combine multiple bookings to reach the minimum number or to allow smaller groups to participate.
What should I bring? What do you provide?
T-Rafting provides all the technical equipment: life jacket, paddle, wetsuit, and a helmet for the more challenging activities. Participants should wear comfortable clothing, bring trainers that can get wet (hiking shoes for Loro Ciuffenna), and have a complete change of dry clothes. A thermal top is recommended for cold water activities.
Are the activities suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. No previous experience is required. Even packrafting is regularly enjoyed by people who have never held a paddle before. The guides conduct a comprehensive briefing before every trip and provide continuous assistance throughout the descent.
Yes, T-Rafting works closely with schools of all levels, thanks to our guides’ training as environmental guides. Rafting is ideal for team building as it requires coordination and communication among crew members. Stag and hen parties are highly popular due to the festive and fun atmosphere.
Do you organise activities for schools, team building, or stag and hen parties?
Yes, T-Rafting works closely with schools of all levels, thanks to our guides’ training as environmental guides. Rafting is ideal for team building as it requires coordination and communication among crew members. Stag and hen parties are highly popular due to the festive and fun atmosphere.
Do you work with people with disabilities?
T-Rafting has gained specific experience in guiding people with disabilities, particularly visually impaired and blind guests. The briefing is adapted to make the experience sensory and immersive.
Is a medical certificate required?
No. For standard single-day tourist trips, a medical certificate is not required. It is only mandatory for multi-day technical courses.
How do I book?
Bookings are made directly through the official website. The system operates as an availability request: you send a request for your preferred date, choosing the time and stating the number of people. T-Rafting verifies guide availability and river conditions, either accepting the request or suggesting an alternative. Once viability is confirmed, you will receive a payment link to finalise your booking. After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details.
Can I bring my phone during the trip?
T-Rafting recommends bringing your phone only if it is inside a thoroughly tested waterproof case; otherwise, it is best left ashore to fully enjoy nature. The guides themselves take souvenir photos during the trip, which are then shared with participants.
Is it possible to have a toast during soft rafting in Florence?
Yes, it is the absolute highlight of the experience. During the stop beneath Ponte Vecchio, you can enjoy a toast with sparkling wine or soft drinks, accompanied by savoury snacks.
