Río Torola, Middle, El Salvador (click here for the El Salvador table of rivers)

river photo

Class: IV ; Flow: 600-2,500 cfs; Average Gradient: 5 m/km; Portages: possibly; Length: up to 48 km; Time: up to 7 hours

Season: June to mid-November ; rafts? IV+; Highlights: bigger water and nice river overall; Crux move: is up top: the maze, and the next IV/IV+

Put-In: Llano Verde (475 m) or below; Take-Out: Agua Caliente (215 m) or above

Description: (click here for general notes about my descriptions)

The Río Torola is El Salvador's second-biggest river, and contains its longest high quality stretch of rafting. The volcanic rock features and forest scenery are very nice the entire run. The rapids in the Middle section are fast moving and some are technical enough to require scouting, even for kayakers. For rafters it is a IV+ challenge.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater El Salvador, Honduras, & Nicaragua guidebook.

Descent History: I ran the upper parts in October 2008, with 1,600 cfs, and the lower part in September 2016, with 2,200 cfs.