This guide has been edited and made available on the internet by John Petter Bøe, NCA – White Water Committee, January 2002. Sourcebook: Nils Flakstad and Leif Ongstad. 1987. “Guide to Southern Norway: WHITE WATER CANOEING”. Ant. Andersens Trykkeri, Larvik*. The guide can be ordered from the Norwegian Canoe Association. To order, click here

Location: Driva runs northwards from the Dovre massif to Oppdal, where it turns westwards down the impressing Sunndalen. Maps: 1519 IV, 1520 III, 1420 II, (1420 III).

Season: All spring and summer.

Grade: I-V

Description: Driva has canoeable sections all the way from above Kongsvoll to Sunndalsøra, more than 100 km. Long sections are in deep canyons and gorges. Salmon is caught up to above Oppdal, So don't provoke the anglers!

Kongsvoll-Melem skole, 35 km: Only some sections have been paddled or 'recced’. There are several high waterfalls in the first steep 4 km. The following part can be seen from the road and has two sections of grade IV/ V, 3 km and 1,5 km long, with calm water in between. There are long flat sections below this, interrupted with some potentially interesting rapids and at least one dangerous, choked gorge (Magalaupet) below Engan.

Melem skole-Olbu, 10 km: Fine sections, partly in scenic gorges. Relatively short rapids with easier water in between. One high ledge should be portaged, some 'reccing' is required. Some narrow places may be tricky at high water.

Olbu-lshol, 8 km: Long flat sections, partly in deep gorges. One high ledge in the
lower gorge should be portaged. After this follows some grade III-IV rapids. Stop in good time above the bridge at Ishol. The narrow passage has been paddled at low water, but you can easily get stuck there.

Ishol-Liahjell, 14 km: This impressing canyon is called Gråura, and may be paddled at low to moderate water. It has been paddled at 2.30-2.70 m on the gauge at Liahjell. At higher levels, the rapids and stoppers become very powerful, and ‘reccing’ and portaging at the critical passages may be difficult if not impossible. The road is 270 meter above the riverbed at the most, so climbing out is no easy task. The gorge has many blocked and deep rapids with some calmer sections in between. The most difficult rapid just above Storfallet may be portaged on the right side, but the pullout eddy is small and disappears at high water. Below Storfallet, there is one rapid which is difficult to ‘recce’ and impossible to portage. Easiest on the right side. Somewhat easier from here, but still many challenges. Gråura demands high skills, good equipment and good preparation. A good test for your skills, you may find in the tributary GRØVU.

Liahjell-Sunndalsøra, 35 km: Long calm sections and rapids of varying difficulty. At Romfo there is a 0.5-1 km long gorge with powerful, continuous rapids, IV+/ V.

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*Note: This guide was written in 1987. The evaluation of difficulties and grading may therefore be too high, compared to how difficulties and grading are evaluated today (NCA - Whitewater Committee).