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Journalist en contentmaker. Gespecialiseerd in toerisme en sport.
Spring and summer are the best times of year for canyoning and water trekking.
Taking advantage of the increased river swell caused by the snow melting in the mountains and seasonal rains.
The Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees regions boast an array of incredible places to discover through this exciting activity; places that only reveal themselves when you follow the river. And there is something for everyone too!
With a range of options to suit the whole family, accommodating complete beginners and even children. In fact, we can guarantee your kids will have a blast canyoning! And you don’t need to be a seasoned expert or invest in all the necessary kit because there are specialist guides on hand to help you with everything you need for a unique, adrenaline-fuelled experience that combines hiking and swimming. We have no doubt you’ll be back for more!
Let’s start with our friends at Aventura Girona, who have put together a range of options with different levels of difficulty to suit everyone, from novices to seasoned canyoners looking for a real challenge. The Riera d’Osor in Les Guilleries is a great initiation ravine in a breathtaking wild natural setting. Water trekking along the Muga River in Albanyà is another good option for beginners.
Moving up to the next level, for those who have already had their first taste of canyoning and are looking to take things up a notch, why not try a river descent along the Lower Vall de Núria, a thrilling and varied ravine offering jumps from a variety of heights, adrenalin-fuelled slides and spectacular rappels.
And for the more experienced, a ravine descent along the Torrent de la Corba in the Freser river basin in Ripollès is an excellent option. Mastery of the rappelling technique is required for this trail as, in addition to being the only one in Catalonia with a rock archway, it features numerous rappels from dizzying heights.
Aventura Girona has many more canyoning experiences on offer, always making sure you are properly kitted out with the correct equipment, such as wetsuits and boots, thermal protection, helmets and harnesses to keep you safe at all times.
Guies Ama Dablam also offer routes with varying degrees of difficulty. Up for a challenge? Then head for the Sant Aniol d’Aguja trail in Alta Garrotxa – one of the wildest and most beautiful canyoning experiences around. The turquoise natural pools and extraordinary rock formations are nothing short of awe-inspiring, making it one of Catalonia’s must-see canyoning destinations. Impressive jumps and numerous rappels, one of which is 40 metres high, which require good physical fitness and technical ability.
If you want to take things a bit more gently you can tailor your activity to your level and start off with a simple ravine. For example, the Lower Barranc del Freser trail in Queralbs is an ideal introduction that can be enjoyed with the whole family. It kicks off with a thrilling 20-metre rappel followed by a succession of jumps of up to four metres high, all set against a majestic natural backdrop.
Altitud Extrem is another company that specialises in this water sport, helping you enjoy the rivers and nature at its purest, while dodging rocks, negotiating narrow gorges, waterfalls, slides, jumps, vertical descents… And always fully equipped and with expert guidance to maximise your enjoyment and safety. For the more adventurous among you, the Barranc Núria Integral ravine descent is the ultimate challenge. Slides, dizzying jumps and rappels that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping!
Photos: Aventura Girona, Guies Ama Dablam and Altitud Extrem
