The directory

Where to go canyoning

A directory of 21 gorges, grouped by continent and graded by commitment. Each entry opens a full page with photos, specs and a route description. Always check water flow and weather before you set off.

Europe13 canyons

BeginnerVerdon Gorge, France
Provence, France

Verdon Gorge

Europe's largest canyon, with turquoise water and approachable aquatic routes — the classic place to learn.

v3 a2 IIMay – September
SportySierra de Guara, Spain
Aragón, Spain

Sierra de Guara

Europe's canyoning capital: dozens of warm limestone routes for every level, from mellow to demanding.

v4 a3 IIIJune – September
Discovery
Llech Canyon
Pyrénées-Orientales, France

Llech Canyon

Natural slides and clear pools at the foot of Canigou — a playful, sunny and gentle descent.

v3 a2 IIJune – September
Committing
Vacca Canyon
Corsica, France

Vacca Canyon

Pink granite, big jumps and long swims in white water — a Corsican classic for confident, autonomous teams.

v5 a4 IVJune – September
Discovery
Furon (Upper)
Vercors, France

Furon (Upper)

A friendly canyon-school near Grenoble, perfect for first rappels and small jumps in cool water.

v3 a2 IIMay – September
SportyGorges du Loup, France
Alpes-Maritimes, France

Gorges du Loup

Photogenic jumps and long natural slides in the hinterland above Nice — a busy summer classic.

v4 a3 IIIJune – September
DiscoveryBarranco Mascún, Spain
Aragón, Spain

Barranco Mascún

A grand, dry-to-aquatic walk through one of the Guara's most scenic limestone canyons.

v3 a2 IIJune – September
SportySaxetenbach, Switzerland
Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Saxetenbach

A cold, powerful alpine canyon near Interlaken — beautiful, aquatic and demanding of respect.

v4 a4 IIIJuly – September
Sporty
Kalamis Canyon
Crete, Greece

Kalamis Canyon

A wild, sunlit limestone descent in the mountains of western Crete, away from the crowds.

v4 a3 IIIApril – June
Sporty
Barranco de la Peonera
Aragón, Spain

Barranco de la Peonera

A sporty Guara classic of jumps, slides and warm pools — the descent that defines a Sierra de Guara holiday.

v4 a3 IIIJune – September
CommittingSa Fosca, Spain
Mallorca, Spain

Sa Fosca

A legendary, near-lightless slot in the Mallorcan mountains — committing, cold and unforgettable.

v5 a4 IVSpring & autumn
Discovery
Torrente Chalamy
Aosta Valley, Italy

Torrente Chalamy

A clean, friendly alpine canyon in the Aosta Valley — granite, clear pools and gentle rappels.

v3 a2 IIJune – September
Sporty
Rio Nero
Lake Garda, Italy

Rio Nero

A sporty, vertical descent above Lake Garda with big rappels and a dramatic mountain backdrop.

v4 a3 IIIMay – September
Reading the grade. Each canyon is rated on three axes — vertical (v), aquatic (a) and overall commitment (Roman numeral). See the grading guide for the full system before choosing a route.