International Scale of River Difficulty

The breakdown below is a general guideline for trips offered by NARR. You can learn more about the official International Scale of River Difficulty from American Whitewater

• Easy/Beginner: CLASS I-II
Rivers with Class I flat water interspersed with occasional Class II rapids: waves 1-2 feet high. Using a self-guided watercraft (duckie) is an option. Best for young children and tentative adults.

Suggested Trips:
Upper New River (minimum age 5)
2-Day Upper New Overnight

• • Beginner/Intermediate: CLASS III
Rivers with Class I - II water interspersed with Class III rapids: waves usually 2-3 feet high, passageways contain some obstacles. Rapids are challenging but not overwhelming. Best introduction to rafting for the widest range of people.

Suggested Trips:
Upper New River
Lower New River (minimum age 12)
2-Day Lower New Overnight

• Intermediate: CLASS III-IV
Rivers with Class I - III water interspersed with occasional Class IV rapids: waves and drops 4 feet high and sometimes higher, difficult passageways containing some obstacles. Unintentionally falling out of the raft may mean an uncomfortable "swim". Best for athletic, adventurous first-timers, or those with previous Class III experience wanting to try-out Class IV.

Suggested Trips:
Lower New River
2-Day Lower New Overnight
Spring/Summer Gauley (minimum age 16)

• • Intermediate/Advanced: CLASS IV+
Rivers with Class I - IV water and more difficult Class IV+ rapids: 4-5 foot waves and drops, complicated by difficult passages containing obstacles that require quick, precise maneuvering. Falling out of the raft and "swimming" in a rapid can be tiring. Best for those with Class III experience wanting to try-out Class IV, or for athletic, adventurous first-timers.

Suggested Trips:
Lower New River
Spring/Summer Gauley
Lower Gauley River (minimum age 14)
2-Day Reverse Gauley Overnight (minimum age 16)
Lower New River High Adventure
Lower Gauley High Adventure

• Advanced: CLASS V
Rivers with Class I - IV+ water interspersed with long, tumultuous Class V rapids: 5-8 foot drops and obstacles that must be avoided. Falling out of the raft means a difficult and potentially lengthy"swim". Best for experienced rafters seeking a challenge.

Suggested Trips:
Upper Gauley River (minimum age 16)
Full Gauley River
2-Day Gauley Overnight
Lower New River High Adventure
Lower Gauley High Adventure
Upper Gauley High Adventure

Unrunnable: CLASS VI
Rivers containing rapids that are so difficult that safe passage is doubtful and chances of serious incident, injury and death are almost certain. If attempted and successful, luck deserves the largest portion of credit. Not commercially runnable.

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