Canyoning is the descent of natural gorges by a mixture of hiking and scrambling, and often swimming and abseiling. This guide describes selected routes from the Costa Blanca via the Pyrenees to Provence, Sardinia and Mallorca.

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Rodellar area

The Rodellar canyons are every bit as classic as those of the Vero, tending to give long, committing aquatic expeditions. Some are suitable for ropeless days (beginners will appreciate Routes 9, 10 and 12; more experienced canyoners will enjoy Routes 13 and 14), while the true classics of the area, including the Mascún, Otín, Negras and Oscuros de Balcés (Routes 7, 8, 11 and 15), rank with the best in Europe and will be on every canyoner’s wish list.

Routes 7–12 all start in the village of Rodellar itself (details in Route 7).

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Rock         limestone
Length      2.5km
Descent     140m
Gear          full wetsuit, rope (1 x 50m)
Season      May to November
Time         approach 2h30–3h, descent 3–4h, return 2h
Maps         Editorial Alpina: Sierra de Guara II, 1:40,000
                 Centro Geográfico del Ejército (CGDE): 249 Alquézar 30–11, 1:50,000

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7. Barranco de Mascún Superior  **** 4+ h

The Mascún Sup has it all: spectacular scenery, long abseils, dramatic narrows and long swimming sections between soaring rock walls. The narrow sections, as well as being difficult in heavy water flow, see little direct sunlight, and have several abseil pitches where it is easy to lose body heat while retrieving and setting up the ropes and so a full wetsuit is advisable. This is well worth the long approach and fully recommended as one of the classics of the area (if not the planet).

Approach

Park just before Rodellar from where a 5min walk leads to the village church. To the right of the church, a couple of useful signs give details of the local canyons and the path starts here. Descend to the Mascún and walk upstream along the river bed for 1km, to a point where two side-canyons converge on the main gorge. Continue up the main canyon, along the main riverbed, for 1km. Go left before some big limestone spires and head uphill to the plateau and the tiny village of Otín (3km). From here, follow dirt roads north for a further 3km to Letosa, then take the rough road eastwards from here to where it adjoins an insignificant-seeming stream. Follow this down to the head of the gorge, which cuts abruptly into the flat plateau.

Descent

Technicalities begin immediately with two abseils (which can be done in one with 2 x 35m ropes) from obvious bolt anchors into waist-high pools. Follow the superb gorge through pools and several narrow water passages, negotiating about ten abseil pitches to join the Mascún Inferior.4The easy subsequent section returns you to familiar territory, the path back up to Rodellar and your car or the campsite.