The Río Maule is one of Chile's most historically significant rivers, originating at Laguna del Maule in Talca Province at an elevation of approximately 2,200 meters near the Argentine border. The river runs roughly 240 kilometers westward through the Maule Region, draining a basin of around 20,600 km², with about 30 percent of that basin lying within the Andean range. Before reaching the central valley, the river is impounded by the Colbún dam, which feeds a major hydroelectric station of the same name. Key tributaries joining the Maule include the Melado River on the left bank and the Colorado, Claro, Puelche, and Cipreses rivers on the right bank.

For paddlers, the Maule offers approximately 21 kilometers of whitewater ranging from Class 3 to Class 5, with a notably big-water character. The river is described as carrying warm water, which distinguishes it from many of Chile's colder Andean runs. Navigation to the put-in can be complex, though the paddling experience is considered well worth the effort.

The Maule River carries considerable cultural and historical weight in Chile. It marked the southern boundary of the Inca Empire and has played a role in the country's colonial history, wars of independence, and agricultural development, particularly in relation to the Maule wine valley, a recognized viticultural appellation within Chile's Central Valley wine region.