Canyoning in Gran Canaria: Los Cernícalos

Far from the sun-and-sand resort stereotype, Gran Canaria’s central peaks hide deep volcanic ravines blessed with year-round flowing mountain water. The island's radial dome topography, sculpted across millions of years of torrential erosion, features sheer basalt chasms filled with cascading waterfalls, natural rock waterslides and emerald plunge pools where canyoning thrives.

Descending a Canarian gorge combines the technical thrill of abseiling through rushing waterfalls with trekking through relict forests of native willows, laurels and giant ferns that blanket shaded canyons.

Los Cernícalos: year-round flowing water

Located within Los Marteles Special Nature Reserve on the boundary between Telde and Valsequillo, the Barranco de los Cernícalos is the island’s most famous wet canyon. It is one of the very few perennial streams in the Canaries, fed continuously by high-altitude natural mountain galleries.

The gorge offers two separate experiences: a scenic riverside hiking trail popular with families through willow groves, and an upper technical canyon section featuring five to seven exhilarating abseils down waterfalls ranging from 6 to 15 metres in height.

Barranco de La Mina: vertical adrenaline

For those seeking higher technical challenges, the Barranco de La Mina (near Vega de San Mateo) provides greater verticality. The route carves through a narrow basalt gorge with more powerful water volume and technical vertical drops of up to 25 metres landing in deep swimming pools.

Adventure experiences in Gran Canaria

Canyoning in Barranco de Los Cernícalos

Canyoning in Barranco de Los Cernícalos with Mojo Picón: about 5 hours, year-round, from age 12.

5 hours From €70

Coasteering on the cliffs of Mogán

Four hours of coasteering on Mogán’s cliffs: sea via ferrata, optional jumps, snorkelling and a…

4 horas From €59.90

Gear requirements and canyon safety

• Thick full wetsuit (minimum 4/3 or 5 mm): Narrow shaded ravines receive little direct sunlight and mountain spring water averages 13 to 15 °C. Thin summer surf suits lead to rapid hypothermia after hours in cold water.
• Climbing helmet: Compulsory at all times due to real hazards from loose gravel or stones dislodged by ropes from above.
• High-traction rubber footwear: Wet basalt coated in moss is exceptionally slick. Wear dedicated canyoning boots or sturdy mountain trail trainers with deep lugs.
• Flash flood warning: Never enter a canyon if weather authorities have issued heavy rain warnings for summit areas. Volcanic drainage basins funnel sudden rainwaters in minutes, triggering fatal flash floods.