For aquatic adventures, this is the place to be, with a selection of 10 canyoning spots in the Auvergne!
Armed with wetsuits, helmets and harnesses, you’re about to set off on your assault on the canyons of Auvergne. As a reminder never hurts, here’s one about canyoning for those in doubt. This sport involves following the course of streams and rivers, often in gorges carved out by the force of water.
Depending on the level of the course, there are waterfalls to cross, boulders to climb, water jumps and abseils. For safety reasons, this activity must be supervised by specialized guides. The Massif Central is particularly well-suited to this activity, thanks to its geology and numerous torrents.
It’s the perfect opportunity to combine a fun sport with nature discovery. Now you know everything, all you have to do is choose from this selection of 10 canyoning spots in the Auvergne.
1. Cascades de la Jordanne
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Traaf
Level: discovery, ages 8 and up
Duration: 2h30
Preferable period: May to October, risk of low flow in July and August.
The start of this canyoning spot in Auvergne is in the commune of Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne in the Cantal region. The route is halfway between water trekking and canyoning, making it ideal for beginners who want to experience a few thrills.
If you’re unsure, all obstacles can be bypassed. Some of the waterfalls can be crossed by toboggan, and several can be abseiled. For those who like to swim, the advantage of these gorges is that they offer many passages in the water rather than on the trail. The spot also offers numerous jumps for verticality enthusiasts.
Don’t panic for the others, they can also be avoided.
2. Canyon du Haut-Alagnon
Photo credit: Facebook – Le Lioran – Official page
Level: discovery, ages 8 and up
Duration: 2h30
Ideal period: May to September
Welcome to the Cirque glaciaire du Font d’Alagnon for this canyoning session in Auvergne. Departure is from the Lioran ski resort. Although this spot is classified as « discovery », it still offers some thrills with vertical rope passages.
The Haut-Alagnon gorges are deep and steep, with impressive walls. The route through them is a playful one. There are some great slides and a few easy climbing passages as you make your way among the rocks. There are also plenty of slides and jumps up to 3 meters high.
But good news for those who don’t feel it, they can be avoided. There are also 3 short abseiling passages.
3. Espinasse canyon
Photo credit: Instagram – france3auvergne
Level: intermediate to sporty, depending on the formula chosen
Duration: 1 half-day or 1 day
Preferred period: May to September
For this canyoning spot in Auvergne, it’s best not to be afraid of heights! Being comfortable with abseiling is also essential. In fact, in the shortest version (1 half-day), there are several abseils, including a 45-meter abseil through a cirque. In the long version, you’ll have to traverse 12 of them!
As you can see, it’s essential to have done canyoning before, and to be in good physical condition. After all, there are jumps and slides, the largest of which is 6 metres long. A few welcome basins are perfect for letting yourself be carried along by the current. The sensations are guaranteed on this course, which is considered the most complete in the region. But it’s well worth the effort, as the geology of the ravines is superb.
This is without doubt one of the most beautiful canyons in the region.
4. Le Cornillou
Photo credit: Facebook – Au coeur des pays d’Auvergne
Level: beginner, from 8 years old
Duration: 2h30
Preferred period: April to October
It’s not a very long run, but it’s no less interesting for a great canyoning outing in Auvergne. There are a few abseils in this steep canyon, but only small ones, and a 25-meter descent on zip lines.
There are also 3 large pools to swim in, but you have to jump, of course, to get there. The maximum jump height is 8 metres, but it is possible to go around them. Finally, there are a number of slides, including a small siphon.
All in all, this is a very playful canyon, perfect for beginners who still want to experience the thrills.
5. L’Argence
Photo credit: Facebook – Romaric Duchamp
Level: intermediate, from age 13 upwards
Duration: half-day or full day, depending on chosen route
Preferred period: May to October
For this canyoning trip in Auvergne, you can choose between two options. The first, and most common, is to descend only the lower part of the canyon. The second, and longer, is to descend the entire gorge. In either case, although the courses are fun and accessible to all, you’ll need to be in good physical condition. The obstacles are varied.
You alternate between toboggans, jumps into beautiful basins and 2 large abseiling passages. You’ll need to be comfortable with verticality, as the heights go up to 8 meters for a slide. There are also aerial passages with a spider’s thread abseil, meaning you don’t descend along a wall but directly into the void.
In short, if you don’t like adrenalin, it’s best to stay away.
6. Bromme Canyon
Photo credit: Instagram – photobymom_s
Level: advanced sporty, some guides want to assess fitness before departure
Duration: 1 day
Preferred period: May to September
Obstacle avoidance is difficult, if not impossible, in this wild canyon. In other words, you need to be well-informed and self-confident before taking the plunge. The most athletic will certainly have a great time on this canyoning trip in the Auvergne. It begins with a most unusual passage: the crossing of an arch dug out of a former dam.
Throughout the day, you’ll climb over rocky chaos and enjoy the many pools. An athletic course also includes jumps and abseils of varying heights, as well as numerous slides.
Guaranteed sleep in the evening!
7. La Haute-Borne
Photo credit: Facebook – Laurent Colongo
Level: intermediate
Duration: 4 hours
Preferred period: May to September
A word of warning: the water is reputed to be cold. This course is located in the Ardèche in the Tanargue massif. Although not compulsory, it’s highly recommended to enjoy the jumps. The highest is 10 meters high.
This is a very aquatic canyon, with many passages where you swim in emerald-colored basins. Between a few waterfalls to abseil down, you’ll enjoy the beautiful vegetation of the gorge.
Last but not least, a 40-metre-long zip line awaits you to finish the day in style.
8. Ricou La Peyre
Photo credit: Facebook – Virginie Gooris
Level: beginner-intermediate, from age 12 upwards
Duration: 2h30
Best time of year: May-June is the best time of year, as summer flows tend to be low.
If you love abseiling and waterfalls, this is the place to go canyoning in Auvergne. The Ricou La Peyre is one of Cantalou’s emblematic canyons. From the start, you overlook the Claux valley. The program for this route is fairly straightforward.
Waterfalls, waterfalls and more waterfalls. They range in height from 4 metres to 45 metres for the last one. And there are no fewer than 11 in all.
Be warned, the ropes will be your allies, with a beautiful aerial spider-wire abseil towards the end.
9. Le Sagnarade
Photo credit: Instagram – noemie_delolme
Level: discovery
Duration: 2h30
Ideal period: May to October
This little canyon is worth a detour for its environment. It’s very steep, but above all very planted, with many tree trunks on which you can try out a few slides.
There are no large pools or slides here, just waterfalls, some of them among boulders. There are plenty of watery abseiling descents, but the heights are not dizzying, despite the verticality of the site.
10. The Besse canyon
Level: intermediate
Duration: 2 hours
Preferred period: June to October
One more for the road with this canyoning spot in the Auvergne region, perfect for slides. After the 100% waterfalls and abseils course, here’s the predominantly toboggan course. But if that’s all it was, it wouldn’t be rated intermediate.
Add a little adrenalin to the mix with the superb 15 and 20-metre waterfalls. Of course, you’ll have to abseil to get down them, and you’ll get plenty of water.