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Canyoning holidays in the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are a brilliant place to discover the challenging sport of canyoning. Canyoning is generally only available in the mountains, where steep valleys and rushing mountain streams lead to the formation of canyons. The idea of canyoning is to follow the river downstream in any way possible - sliding, swimming, jumping, climbing and abseiling. You can try canyoning as a half day activity as part of our multi activity holiday, as a long-weekend's introduction to canyoning or as a full week of canyoning working up towards the descent of technically challenging, vertical canyons at the end of the week. For Summer 2009 we are offering canyoning holidays using qualified local guides with a lifetime of experience working in and exploring the area.

NEW: We are now offering a special two-centre week (beginning in Bareges and ending in the Sierra de Guarra in Spain) in late Summer - contact us on canyoning@mountainbug.com if you would like to join us .

Canyoning Pyrenees - short abseil into the torrent	Canyoning Pyrenees - sliding into a watery chimney	Canyoning Pyrenees - long abseil in a local French canyon

The most exciting time of year for canyoning is in late Spring/early Summer, when the snow melt from the high mountains makes the rivers roar. This does mean that the water is cold though, so Autumn is probably the best time of year, when the mountain streams are at their warmest. The rushing waters and lush vegetation of the French side of the border give our local canyons a humid, "rainforest" atmosphere. There are water chutes and pools to jump in, and you will get very wet abseiling down waterfalls! The sunny canyons of the Spanish Pyrenees are often drier and scattered with warm blue pools. There is less water but the abseils are generally longer and more challenging. The rock formations are rounded and smooth - almost like caving above ground. We like to mix the different characters of the canyons of France and Spain with a two-centre break during a full week of canyoning.

Canyoning week suggested itinerary

Saturday Canyoning holiday Day 1	Flights to Lourdes airport, transfer to Bareges. Free afternoon - take a walk to the lovely Creperie at St. Justin, or simply relax with a cold beer on our patio.
Sunday Canyoning holiday Day 2	Morning: rope skills course - looking at the techniques of abseiling and rope safety. Afternoon: canyon de Viey, near Bareges. A pretty, vertical canyon with an exhilarating abseil of 40m in a cascading waterfall. Lovely views over meadows and up to the high peaks.
Monday Canyoning holiday Day 3	Morning: canyon de Heas, near Gavarnie. This is an exciting aquatic canyon, with water chutes and jumps amongst sculpted granite boulders. Afternoon: canyon de Cheze. A dramatic vertical canyon with some challenging technical abseils.
Tuesday Canyoning holiday Day 4	Morning transfer to Spain. Afternoon at the spectacular "Formiga" - an aquatic canyon with beautiful green pools and colourful polished conglomerate walls.
Wednesday Canyoning holiday Day 5	Oscuros del Balces canyon. One of the classic canyons of the Sierra de Guara - an aquatic trip exploring stunning calcified boulder chaos and flooded turquoise galeries. Bring your cameras!
Thursday Canyoning holiday Day 6	Rio Vero canyon. We begin with a walk through typical Aragonais countryside before descending an airy dry-canyon into the Rio Vero river gorge. A spectacular 50m abseil is the highlight of the morning! In the afternoon we float downstream - blue pools and towering cliffs at every glance. The trip ends in the historical fortified village of Alcazar.
Friday Canyoning holiday Day 7	The grand finale of the trip - Foratata canyon. This is a little-known route with mind-blowing scenery, culminating in a superb 150m free-hanging abseil. Return to France in the evening for a celebratory meal out.
Saturday Canyoning holiday Day 8	Depart for the airport in the morning.

This is an example itinerary. The specific canyons included will depend on the weather and water conditions, and the interests and abilities of the group. We use fully qualified local instructors for our canyoning, who will tailor their instruction and itinerary to your particular skills and requirements. On the week-long itinerary, you will also be accompanied by ourselves as English speakers.

Canyoning holiday accommodation

The first three nights' accommodation are based in the village of Bareges. Our house is situated just off the main street, close to all the local shops, bakery, bars and restaurants and the thermal baths. We have five en-suite bedrooms, a heated equipment room, sauna, dining room and spacious lounge with a wood-burning stove, bar, library, reading/games corner, music centre and computer with internet access.

Canyoning holiday prices

	Option	Price
	1 week all-inclusive - 8 days/7 nights	975 € Minimum group size of four people (max 8)
	Long weekend - 3 days/2 nights (Sierra de Guara)	355 € Minimum group size of four people (max 8)
Abseiling in a Spanish canyon	Airport transfers	40-70€ per person	Dry canyon

All-inclusive 1 week canyoning price includes your accommodation, generous continental breakfasts, packed lunches, afternoon tea & cakes (French side only) and delicious three course evening meals. Six days of activities with qualified instructors, all specialist equipment hire and local minibus transport are also included.

Long weekend canyoning itineraries (perfect for a stag weekend with a difference!) are based on a 9am departure from France on Day 1 and include 3 days of guiding and 2 nights self-catering chalet-bungalow accommodation in Spain. Depending on flight times, you may need to consider additional accommodation in France at either end of the trip.

Please contact us to check prices and availability for canyoning holidays.

More canyoning pictures....please click here for our photo album...

Swimming in a Spanish canyon	Waterfalls - Sierra de Guara		Water chute - Sierra de Guara	Mind the gap - spectacular scenery in the Spanish canyons

Fitness and training for canyoning holidays

To get the most out of your canyoning holiday you should be reasonably fit and active. You should not need any specific training but you will enjoy canyoning more if you take some regular exercise before your trip. Some of the canyons require a reasonably long walk-in with some uphill climbing, and you may like to offer to share the portage of ropes and equipment with your guide. No previous experience of canyoning or abseiling is necessary, but you should have a good head for heights and be able to swim confidently.

RECOMMENDED CANYONING KIT LIST

• All technical canyoning equipment is provided
  
• Clothing
  Swimming costume/trunks/lycra shorts (not too skimpy, as you will walk to the canyons in your cossie!)
  Old trainers or canyoning shoes with a sturdy, grippy sole (soft neoprene sailing shoes are not suitable)
  Waterproof jacket
  Waterproof trousers
  Comfy day/evening clothes
  Warm fleece for evenings
  Sun hat/peaked cap
  Sunglasses
  Cycling or neoprene gloves (optional)
  Synthetic T-shirt or rash vest to wear for canyon walk-ins
  Hiking boots/sturdy outdoor trainers

Pyrenees canyoning - abseil	Canyoning Pyrenees - picnic spot	Jump	Canyoning on Reunion Island	Water slide - Spanish canyoning

Booking and availability: Please contact us for more details.