Canyoning in Gran Canaria: Descend Waterfalls & Laurisilva Forest

You rappel down waterfalls, not just look at them.

Canyoning in Gran Canaria's Cernícalos canyon is a four-hour activity where you descend a ravine by rappelling, swimming, jumping and climbing alongside flowing water through Laurisilva forest. The operator has run over 130 trips yearly since 2000 and provides a professional guide in English or Spanish, full safety equipment (wetsuit, helmet, harness, descender), a picnic with fruit and nuts, and a free photo report of the day. Children from age 10 can join with an adult. All fitness levels are welcome.

The experience

Four hours means you're in the canyon for the whole arc of it, not a quick dip or a guided walk, but the full descent. You'll move through the ravine following the water itself, which means the day combines different things: walking along the streambed, jumping into pools, climbing rock faces, swimming through deeper sections, and rappelling down the waterfalls. The Cernícalos canyon runs through Laurisilva forest, a green canopy that exists nowhere else on earth, and you're inside it the whole time instead of viewing it from above.

The operator has been running this since 2000 and does it more than 130 times a year, which means the route is dialed in and the safety setup is automatic. You get a neoprene suit, helmet, harness, descender and carabiners. Everything that keeps you moving safely through water and down rock. A professional guide leads the group in English or Spanish and stays with you through every section. Partway through, you stop for a picnic of fruit, chocolate, nuts and cookies, which breaks up the physical work and gives you a moment to sit in the forest.

At the end of the day you get a photo report. The guide takes pictures throughout and sends them to you free, so you have something to show people who weren't there. The group stays small, which means the guide can watch everyone and adjust the pace if someone needs it. Children from 10 onwards can come if an adult is with them. The activity suits all fitness levels, though you do need to be comfortable in water and willing to rappel.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• neoprene suit, helmet, harness, descender and carabiners.
• bottled water and a picnic of fruit, chocolate, nuts and cookies.
• small-group setup.
• insurances.
• free photo report sent after the day.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Child (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Barranco de Los Cernícalos 9:30 in the Decathlon Telde store´s parking.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by MOJO PICON AVENTURA

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish fluently, so if you're comfortable in either language you can follow the instructions and the commentary without translation. If you speak neither, this one won't work for you, but the operator runs trips in both and you can book whichever matches your language.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 17 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What exactly do I do during the four hours in the canyon?

You descend the Cernícalos ravine by walking along the streambed, jumping into pools, climbing rock faces, swimming through deeper sections, and rappelling down waterfalls: the guide leads you through each one and the route follows the water itself.

Do I need climbing or rappelling experience to do this?

No, the activity suits all fitness levels and the guide handles the technical setup. You learn the rappelling technique as part of the day and the equipment (harness, descender, carabiners) does the safety work.

What's included in the price besides the guide?

The neoprene suit, helmet, harness, descender and carabiners; bottled water and a picnic of fruit, chocolate, nuts and cookies; a professional guide in English or Spanish; small-group setup; insurances; and a free photo report sent to you after.

Can my 10-year-old come with me?

Yes, children from age 10 can join the activity as long as an adult is with them throughout the day.

What is Laurisilva forest and why does it matter for this canyon?

Laurisilva is an ancient subtropical forest that grows only in the Canary Islands and a few other places on earth. The Cernícalos canyon runs through it, so you're descending inside a green canopy that exists nowhere else instead of a bare ravine.

How many people go on each trip?

The group stays small: the operator runs it this way so the guide can watch everyone and adjust the pace if needed.