"Introduction to Canyoning in the Pyrenees Course"

No previous canyoning experience is required. Swimming ability is recommended but is not compulsory; please tell us if you are not a confident swimmer.

You need good fitness for 4–6-hour canyoning days. If you are unsure about your level, we recommend booking a canyon with one of our guides beforehand so that they can assess whether this course is suitable for you.

Included

• Two days with a qualified professional canyoning guide.
• Initial assistance insurance.
• Shared equipment: ropes, first-aid kit, radio and watertight barrel, among other items.
• Personal equipment if you do not have it: wetsuit, neoprene socks, harness, helmet, safety lanyard, descender and backpack.
• Photos of the activity.

Not included

• Accommodation and meals. Contact us for details.
• Transport.

What you need to bring

• Comfortable sports clothing for the mountain walk to the canyon entrance.
• A bag to leave in the car with spare clothes in case yours get wet, a water bottle and food.
• Footwear is important: lace-up shoes with rubber soles and good ankle support, such as canyoning shoes, sports shoes or hiking shoes. Bring a spare pair to change into when you return to the car.
• Swimwear, towel and warm, dry clothes for after the canyon.
• If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring a suitable way to prevent losing them during the activity.

Equipment we can lend you

• Shared equipment: ropes, first-aid kit, radio and watertight barrel, among other items.
• Personal equipment: wetsuit, neoprene socks, harness, helmet, safety lanyard and descender, plus one backpack for every two participants.
• A watertight barrel if you need to keep belongings dry.

The course is based in Jaca, in the Aragonese Pyrenees, with classroom facilities and equipment. Practical sessions take place in the Aragón and Tena valleys according to canyon conditions.

Friday / day 1: Meet at 19:00 at the PirineoSur office, Calle Antonio Beltrán 1, for theory and equipment preparation.

Saturday / day 2: Meet at 09:00 at the Jaca office or agreed meeting point and travel to the practical training area.

Sunday / day 3: Meet at 09:00 at the office or agreed meeting point. The course ends at 15:30.

Day 1: theory

Essential canyoning knots and anchor types; different uses of the descender and locking it off; canyoning equipment; releasable anchors; activity planning, weather and water levels; progression techniques.

Day 2: practical skills

Downclimbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming; assessing and reinforcing anchors; rigging releasable systems; different descender applications; abseil preparation and locking off; joining and retrieving ropes; basic belaying techniques.

Day 3: supervised canyon descent

With the guide’s supervision, participants plan the approach, assess water levels and weather, select suitable equipment, organise the itinerary and consider escape routes, timings and emergency communications. Apply the basic principles of moving through a canyon.