What do you think we could be doing, if it’s wet, slippery, cold, narrow, partially dark, noisy, exhausting and not always safe? A tough job down in the sewers? No, canyoning – an action-packed activity that is becoming increasingly popular!
After being “invented” in Spain and southern France in the late 1990s, canyoning spread to the Alpine region and later to the whole of Europe. The sport is now enjoying growing popularity worldwide.
But what does this actually mean? At its core, canyoning is walking through a gorge through a variety of modes and techniques. From walking to swimming, sliding and jumping to diving, climbing and abseiling, canyoning encompasses everything. Sometimes there is even a rope slide or rope bridge. A highlight of many tours are the waterfalls and their pools, which have to be negotiated. Caves and large stuck boulders can also be other key features.
Generally, routes go downhill. You follow the gorge floor (if possible), so the erosion line created by the water. In a stricter sense, the term canyoning is only used when a watercourse actually flows through the gorge, this watercourse is followed and the gorge has a clear gradient.
Version: gorge hiking
The “dry version” or a flat gorge is more commonly referred to as gorge hiking or riverbed hiking. However, sometimes these are also referred to as canyoning. However, for the majority of canyoners, water is an essential element – because the more water is flowing and the more rapid the mountain stream, the more adventurous and adrenaline-pumping the experience. Canyoning is almost always done in a team and mutual support and trust play a big role, so the resulting sense of community is amazing.
However, canyoning is not only about action and group experience, but also about experiencing wild nature and gaining an unusual perspective on the landscape. The raw untouched nature of some canyon landscapes is the most important factor for many canyoners.
Best time and conditions
The weather and conditions required in canyoning are different from those in mountain sports. As long as there is no thunderstorm and it is not pouring with rain, the water conditions rather than the water level play the main role. This depends on factors such as rain, snow melt in the mountains or sometimes dam controls.
As all this varies from region to region and even from gorge to gorge, there is no general best time to give. There is, however, a rule of thumb that rainy periods increase the likelihood of fairly full water basins and waterfalls.
Of course it should be wet when canyoning, because dry swimming is about as little fun as dry sliding and dry jumping. However, in some regions and countries the dry season may be more suitable. In Germany and the Alpine region, for example, the period from May to October is considered optimal. In the Mediterranean, on the other hand, October to April is often the best time, as it is too dry there in high summer.
Who can go canyoning?
The good news is that you don’t have to be a top athlete to take part in organised tours. When it comes to independent canyoning, however, it’s a different situation. This is because, in addition to above-average fitness, a whole range of other knowledge and skills are required. However, even with a guide and a group, there are a few requirements. That is why almost all providers list a number of conditions for their beginner tours. This usually includes:
- Surefootedness
- No strong fear of heights
- Not severely overweight
- Strong swimming ability
At the end, there is usually a phrase like “good physical condition” or “good physical fitness”. This is, of course, a relatively broad term. But you will need to be able to keep moving and be on your feet for several hours. On the whole, these are demands that healthy peopleare perfectly capable of handling, even with advancing age. People who wear glasses or contact lenses also usually have no problem participating with precautions (such as taking along spare lenses or a sturdy strap).
There may also be cases when not all requirements need to be met, because some providers offer short tours, and tours with less water or less altitude difference. There is a wide range of tours for beginners, advanced and professional hikers, depending on the size and topography of the gorge. With so many locations to choose from, there should be something for nearly everyone.
From what age?
A certain level of physical strength is essential and you must be a confident swimmer. Therefore, many tour operators specify a minimum age of 14. A parental consent form is usually required for participants under 18 years of age. Special tour offers for younger kids may also be offered by selected locations and providers.
Canyoning on your own? Not to start
As mentioned, if you are reasonably healthy and can cope with a relatively long hike, you’ll be able to do a canyoning tour. But not on your own! Beginners should initially only go canyoning with expert guidance. Novices should also only attempt more difficult tours with certified canyoning guides (e.g. mountain guides with additional training). There are now extra organisations that train professional canyoning guides for this purpose. In Austria there are also “state-certified gorge guides” who provide a guarantee of a high level of competence and safety.
“Shortcuts” should not be taken even if you have mountaineering and climbing experience. Why? Canyoning is a combination of mountain and water sport which requires knowledge and qualifications in both areas.
Some climbers and mountaineers have the mistaken belief that they “already” have all the necessary skills, because they know how to climb, tighten ropes and abseil. However, this is a false assumption, as they may lack the knowledge of white-water techniques (analysis of flow patterns, controlled white-water swimming) and canyoning-specific variations of rope and alpine techniques that are important. This, combined with overestimation of their own abilities, results in a mix of risks that has cost the lives of many an “autodidact”.
Weather analysis, knowledge and skills
In canyoning, the weather must be assessed in a different way than in mountain sports. This is because it needs to done in relation to the water in the gorge to be walked. This means that even distant precipitation can cause the water level in a narrow gorge to swell to a life-threatening level in a matter of minutes. Some people coming across from different sports forget this, and are not familiar with the fact that it is not always possible to abort a canyoning trip before the end. Without help, you may not be able to get out of a difficult situation. Guided tours however are usually designed in such a way that participants who may be overwhelmed can bypass the “key sections” and, instead of jumping, abseil down.
Independent canyoning requires knowledge and skills in:
- Rope skills (general handling, abseiling, belaying, rescue techniques)
- Meteorology (collection and evaluation of weather data)
- Communication (specific sign and spoken language)
- First aid
- Orientation
- Risk management
- Equipment
- Nature conservation
Where can I go canyoning?
Gorges with a lot of gradient and a large enough amount of water (so a good “fun and action factor”) can only be found in and around the high mountains. In Germany this means that you won’t find any “proper” canyoning spots outside the Alps and foothills. The canyoning that is occasionally offered in the low mountain ranges is more akin to riverbed hiking.
The deep south of Germany is a real hotspot! With many spectacular waterways and a well-established infrastructure, the Allgäu region around Sonthofen is a real canyoning highlight. However, there is also plenty of choice for great tours further east along the Upper Bavarian Alps as far as Berchtesgaden.
You can find a number of good tour tips for canyoning in Germany at the Deutsche Canyoning Association among others.
For the Alpine region on the other side of the border, the German Canyoning Association has picked out two special gems. In Austria, atour through the Strubklamm gorge, which has many swimming and jumping spots, is particularly recommended. The narrowest passage is only about one metre wide and the highest jump 10 metres high.
And in Switzerland the Boggera Gorge in Ticino is recommended. The highest jump is over 11 metres, but it is optional – you can be abseiled down by the guide.”
Switzerland and Ticino are a canyoning paradise, according to the German Canyoning Association.
In Europe, the Southern French Maritime Alps with the Verdon Gorge and the Spanish Pre-Pyrenees are considered top spots.
What equipment do I need for canyoning?
So, first of all, what do I wear when canyoning? Waterproof clothing, usually made of neoprene at least 4mm thick, is the most important item of equipment. Even when it’s 30°C and sunny outside, the freshly bubbling water from the mountains will gradually feel colder if you don’t wear protective clothing. The neoprene also protects against minor injuries. Normally, a wetsuit or trouser/jacket combination is used. In warmer temperatures, shallower and calmer water, as well as shorter tours, neoprene trousers may be sufficient.
On guided tours, you will be provided with the neoprene wetsuit and other specific equipment, and be told what else you should bring yourself. Generally, you will also be told what is best worn with the provider’s neoprene clothing. This is usually synthetic underwear or a swimsuit with a synthetic shirt/top. Cotton is not suitable as it draws heat away from the body. Depending on the outside temperature, additional clothing, such as a fleece jumper, may be worn under the suit.
When you are exhausted and cold after the tour you will appreciate dry, warm extra clothing even in summer (and especially at higher altitudes).
We recommend the following canyoning equipment for self-guided tours:
- Neoprene socks (Neoprene socks of 3 mm or more are recommended, as normal socks can otherwise feel spongy and cause blisters.)
- Canyoning shoes (These also have friction on wet rocks. For simple beginner tours, light hiking, trekking and approach shoes that can get wet may be enough)
- Alpine helmet
- Canyoning harness (A harness like this protects the wetsuit. It can be fitted with a cut-away sling)
- Rope (long enough for the highest abseiling section)
- Carabiners
- Sewn runners
- Canyoning-specific belay device
- Waterproof rucksack
- First aid kit, penknife, mobile phone
- Depending on the length of ascents and descents: towel, change of clothes and plastic bag for wet shoes
For tours or guided tours that are poorly accessible or not accessible at all, much more equipment is needed to set up posts and anchor points and to be able to carry out any rescue operations.
How dangerous is canyoning?
Some risks have already been mentioned in the previous sections. As with any “risky sport’, the main danger lies in underestimating risk. With canyoning, these are determined by the nature of the terrain, the behaviour of the water and the weather. It is well known that a lot of erosion and weathering takes place in gorges, so not only rockfall but also mudslides can occur at any time. The latter are usually caused by heavy rain, as well as by sudden rises in water level. This can also occur in fine weather when a reservoir is drained. Therefore, researching the weather and regional conditions beforehand is so important.
Other dangers arise both from (incorrect) handling of equipment and from general human errors and weaknesses. Currents and eddies near large boulders, which can push swimmers under water with astonishing force, are often particularly surprising. Many people have got into trouble by getting stuck between rocks. But don’t panic! Experience and caution gained from guided tours can help you recognise and manage all these dangers. Good guidebooks also list the danger spots and include them in the difficulty rating of the tour.
What does canyoning cost?
It depends on many factors such as the country and region, the duration of the tour, the level of difficulty and the services included by the provider. On more difficult tours, for example, there are fewer guests per guide, which increases the price. You can find a taster course or a few hours’ beginner’s tour in Allgäu and Upper Bavaria from around 70 euros. It can be a little cheaper in Austria at around €50. In France you can also find a good deal, but in Switzerland it costs considerably more.
In Europe, expect to pay €50-60 for a half-day tour and €80-100 for a day tour. If you have found an offer with the right level of difficulty in your holiday region, you will have a great experience at a reasonable price with the vast majority of providers.
If you catch the bug and want to become an independent canyoner, then the investment required for the equipment is comparable to starting out in sport and alpine climbing. There are also costs for guidebooks, (digital) maps and travel. It’s not a cheap sport, but it does offer a great intensity and experience factor!
Have you already had some experience with canyoning, or are you now really motivated to give it a try? We would love to hear about your experiences and impressions! So, let’s go canyoning!
