Canyoning in Sierra de Guara

Weekend away

Canyoning, known as barranquismo in Spanish, is the act of descending into deep ravines using any combination of rappelling, swimming, jumping, hiking and rock climbing to reach the bottom of the valley, which can stretch for hundreds of meters or have a narrow opening of just a few feet. The canyoning season begins during Easter week in March or April and concludes in October. As temperatures rise and snow from the peaks of the Pyrenees begins to melt, water flows down into the canyons’ crevasses, creating the beautiful interiors of valleys and cascading waterfalls that canyoneers seek.

Sierra de Guara, the Birthplace of Canyoning

When Yann Alcubilla was six years old he began canyoning with his expert father. The adrenaline rush hooked him initially. Sandwiched between naturally carved sculptures, with the strength of gallons of water pushing against his legs and back, he felt he and nature were one. “There are some canyons that are like pieces of art, where nature takes on shapes that aren’t found anywhere else in the world,” he said. “You get the feeling of being very insignificant compared to your surroundings.”

Alcubilla has continued canyoning for the past three decades and has since taken over his father’s business, Expediciones. The company has tours of all levels throughout the Sierra de Guara in the Pre-Pyrenees, around a three-hour drive to the northwest of Barcelona. Alcubilla said that although he has gone canyoning in Morocco, Croatia and New Zealand, among other locations, his favorite canyons and gorges are in his own backyard, carved out of Spain’s Pyrenees mountain range.

More than 2,000 meters above sea level, Sierra de Guara is the birthplace of canyoning, where French and Spanish fishermen and villagers began caving in the area centuries ago. It wasn’t until the Nineties, however, that the activity became popular as a sport. Today the region is one of the most highly sought-after by canyoneers, who can trek down 80 different ravines of various difficulty and made mostly of limestone. 

Don't Go It Alone

But no matter the terrain, it’s essential to be accompanied by a licensed guide unless you are professionally trained yourself. If unpredicted storms roll in, what was intended to be a fun hike could soon turn into a precarious situation. It’s the guide’s duty to understand these dangers and prepare the precautionary measures. Julen Setien Arrue, a licensed guide who works at We Are Canyoneers in the province of Huesca, stressed the importance of practicing responsible canyoning, although he encourages people of various fitness levels and ages to try the sport. To him, the feeling of immersion he gets from being in the depths of a gorge, surrounded by colorful flora, a crystal clear river and a certain silence found in this kind of isolation, simply can’t be beaten. “It offers something you can’t find in the city,” said Setien. “You can’t go by car or by boat—you have to enter with just your body and some equipment, but this gives you the sensation of being in a unique place far from the realities of daily life.”

Canyoning: When & Where

The canyoning season is from the end of March to the beginning of October, although the best time to go is during the hot summer months.

Equipment: climbing gear, static ropes, wet suit, waterproof top, helmet, buoyancy aid and first-aid kit. Hiking shoes or trainers that can get wet are also a must. The company organizing the excursions will provide most of this equipment, but it is best to ask beforehand exactly what is provided and what must be taken along.

Cost: an excursion typically costs anywhere from €45 to €150 depending upon the level of difficulty and time involved. Initiation canyoning excursions generally last half a day, while routes of greater difficulty can last up to an entire day. People wanting to try the sport can book individually or with a group, with the former being incorporated into part of a larger group.

Guides in Sierra de Guara, Huesca, Aragó

Alquézar Aventura, alquezaraventura.com

Avalancha, avalancha.org

Buenaventura, alquezarbuenaventura.com

Canyontrek Guara, canyontrekguara.com

Expediciones, expediciones-sc.es

Guara Canyon, guaracanyon.com

Guias de Bierge, en.guiasdebierge.com

River Guru, riverguru.es

Roca y Agua, rocayagua.com

Vertientes Aventura, vertientesaventura.com

We Are Canyoneers, wearecanyoneers.com

Originally published August 2017, updated June 4, 2022.