Discover the World’s Best Canyoning Destinations

An amazing sport that combines a wide range of different activities into one, canyoning is a mix of caving, hiking, climbing and mountaineering, cliff diving, whitewater swimming and sliding down natural toboggans (like a slip-slide). Canyoning (also called canyoneering) is an amazing way of pushing your own limits and sharing a great day out with your friends and family.

An adventurous, all-natural assault course carved out by whitewater over thousands of years, natural couloirs, bowls, breaks and slides make this different from kayaking and rafting – as you use your body to travel downstream! Practised in some of the most beautiful and secret locations in the world, there's the right canyon for everyone – with each course rated on difficulty and skill level. Mostly navigated on foot but also by swimming, sometimes the use of technical rope work is necessary, via abseiling for example.

The necessary equipment includes a temperature-appropriate neoprene wetsuit, hiking shoes (high, comfortable with a good tread), a helmet, gloves – also important a harness and technical gear are also important. We also recommend taking a bag to carry all of the above, some food, water and a good knife can also be useful. Make sure to check before the excursion which of those elements are provided by the instructors and which you'll need to bring yourself. If you want to learn more about the techniques of this sport, check our complete guide to canyoning that will answer all your questions.

Ready to try your first canyoning adventure in an unforgettable setting? Here are some of our top-rated canyoning destinations to explore. Check out the best places to go canyoning.

Bavella, Corsica

CORSICA CANYON

Canyoning in Corsica is renowned for its exceptional experiences due to the island's unique landscape and natural beauty.

Located in the Aiguilles de Bavella massif, close to the villages of Solenzara, Zonza, and Lecci, canyoning in Bavella offers a delightful half-day experience in the mountains, close to the coast! With its natural aquatic area featuring 10 meter jumps (that can all be avoided), as well as bypassable slides and other obstacles, Pulischellu Canyon is a great canyoning experience for families. Children as young as 8 years old can access it. To know which of the many amazing canyons to go for on the French island, have a look at the article on the best canyoning activities in Corsica.

Verdon Gorge, France

Haute Provence Outdoor

Canyoning in the Verdon Gorge, located in southeastern France, is considered one of the best spots for canyoning in the country! Known as the "Grand Canyon of Europe", the Verdon Gorge features towering limestone cliffs that plunge into emerald green waters, creating an awe-inspiring backdrop for adventure. The area offers a range of canyoning experiences, from beginner-friendly routes to challenging descents, ensuring that both novices and seasoned adventurers can find their thrill. The Gorge's crystal-clear waters, natural rock formations, and numerous waterfalls enhance the excitement of rappelling, sliding, and jumping, making each canyoning trip a unique and memorable experience!

Reunion Island

Canyon Arrangé

Reunion Island is renowned for its diverse and dramatic canyons, with top spots including Cirque du Cilaos, Rivière Saint-Joseph, Rivière Langevin, and Bassin Boeuf. Cirque du Cilaos, a natural amphitheater surrounded by high peaks, offers thrilling descents through narrow gorges and cascading waterfalls.

Rivière Saint-Joseph and Rivière Langevin provide an exciting mix of jumps, slides, and rappelling through lush, green environments and crystal-clear waters. It showcases Réunion Island's unique volcanic terrain, making it an unparalleled destination for canyoning enthusiasts seeking both challenge and beauty in their adventures. To learn more about canyoning on the island, check out the article Top 6 Canyoning Spots on Reunion Island.

Guadeloupe

Vert Intense

Guadeloupe's rich tropical landscapes and varied terrain make canyoning there an amazing adventure. Important locations like Pointe-Noire, Basse-Terre, and Ravine Chaude provide a range of exhilarating experiences. Renowned for its verdant surroundings and thermal springs, Ravine Chaude offers a distinct canyoning experience that combines natural slides and warm waters.

The island's mountainous region, Basse-Terre, is perfect for both novice and experienced adventurers, offering breathtaking waterfalls, deep rainforests, and difficult descents. Situated on the western coast of the island, Pointe-Noire provides picturesque pathways alongside immaculate rivers and waterfalls, all encircled by the vivid flora and fauna of the tropical forest. Discover all canyoning trips in Guadeloupe!

Lake Garda, Italy

SKYclimber

Located in northern Italy, Lake Garda is one of Europe’s top destinations for canyoning, offering dozens of routes through limestone gorges, waterfalls, and crystal-clear pools. Many descents are easily accessible with short approaches (sometimes around 5 minutes) and include activities such as swimming, sliding, jumping (typically 5–10 meters), and abseiling. Most tours are guided, and jumps are optional, making the sport accessible even for beginners.

Canyoning in Lake Garda offers a wide range of difficulty levels. Family-friendly routes like Rio Nero include jumps up to 8 meters and are suitable from age 6, while beginner-to-intermediate canyons such as Palvico feature abseils up to 50 meters. More advanced descents like Vione Canyon reach up to 60-meter rappels on full-day tours. This variety of technical challenges, combined with scenic alpine surroundings and warm summer conditions, makes it a highly versatile canyoning destination. To discover the best spots in detail, read our article: Where to go Canyoning at Lake Garda?

Spain

Gualay Aventura

A thrilling adventure in a breathtaking scenery is what canyoning in Spain promises. One of the most popular locations is canyoning in Sierra de Guara, where you may explore an intricate network of natural rock formations, deep canyons, and turquoise pools tucked away in Aragon's untamed landscape where you will be able to go jumps up to 10 meters!

Canyoning in Nerja, well-known for its breathtaking Costa del Sol coastline, offers a unique contrast of freshwater streams and sea cliffs like for example the famous Rio Verde! Discover the picturesque mountain scenery and canyons sculpted by ancient rivers in Ronda, which is tucked away in the heart of Andalusia. For a more detailed look at the top Spanish locations, check out the article: Where to go canyoning in Spain?

Interlaken, Switzerland

Outdoor

Located in central Switzerland, Interlaken is one of Europe’s top canyoning hubs, surrounded by alpine valleys, waterfalls, and deep glacier-carved gorges. One of the most spectacular places to try canyoning here is Grimsel Canyon, widely regarded as one of the best canyoning experiences in the world. The activity is suitable for all levels, as it can be adapted to beginners and requires no previous experience. The Grimsel route begins at a 50-meter checkpoint and continues with thrilling vertical drops, natural rock slides, and impressive zip lines, offering a perfect mix of adrenaline and accessibility in a dramatic alpine setting.

For a more technical challenge, Chli Schliere Canyon — located between Interlaken and Lucerne — delivers a highly intense experience. Known for its high rappels, glacier-carved water slides, and multiple jumps of up to 10 meters, it is considered one of the most demanding canyoning routes in Switzerland, combining extreme adventure with breathtaking alpine landscapes.

Try other Canyoning spots around the world...

Canyoning in America

• Moab, Utah, USA
• Banff, Canada
• Cuzco, Peru
• Semuc Champey, Guatemala

Canyoning in Oceania

• Wanaka, New Zealand
• Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Behana gorge waterfalls, Australia
• Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

Canyoning in Asia

• Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Snake Canyon, Oman
• Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
• Canyoning in Bali, Indonesia

From the dramatic limestone gorges of Europe to the lush volcanic terrains of tropical islands, canyoning is the ultimate way to push your boundaries while immersing yourself in the world's most spectacular, hidden landscapes. Whether you are looking for family-friendly natural waterslides or heart-pounding 50-meter abseils, there is a perfect route out there for your skill level. Ready to plan your next vertical descent? You can explore all canyoning destinations on Manawa to find your next great adventure. For some targeted regional inspiration to kickstart your planning, be sure to read our deep dives on The 10 best canyoning spots in Corsica and discover exactly Where to go Canyoning at Lake Garda? And if you are curious about other water activities, discover rafting and surfing and other sports on Manawa!