The Río Quepe originates in the lake of the same name near Llaima volcano and flows approximately 112 kilometers before joining the Cautín River near the locality of Almagro, just upstream of where the Cautín and Chol Chol rivers converge to form the Imperial River. The river drains a volcanic landscape in the La Araucanía Region of southern Chile.

For paddlers, the Río Quepe presents a demanding and committing experience. While the whitewater might initially be characterized as class 3, the overall run is more accurately rated class 4 due to the committing nature of the canyon sections and at least one rapid that reaches class 5 or above, requiring a long portage. The combination of committing terrain and that significant technical crux means paddlers should approach this river with a conservative assessment of their skills relative to the stated class ratings. The run is not a casual undertaking, and the difficulty can feel more serious than the numbers alone suggest given the remote or committing character of the canyon.

Paddlers planning a trip to this river should be aware that the area around Melipeuco serves as a gateway to the broader Araucanía volcanic zone, and private transportation services operate between Temuco's airport and destinations in the region, which may assist with logistics.