Waterfalls and harnesses in Gran Canaria. This canyoning trip takes you into the Los Marteles Special Natural Reserve via the Barranco de los Cernícalos, where you rappel down waterfalls, cross pools, and hike through real jungle. I love that it’s not a “walk-and-look” day: it’s hands-on adventure with water, rock, and views.

Two things I’d put at the top: you get to try canyoning in the only canyon with water in Gran Canaria, and the guiding is built around safety and confidence (you’re connected with an extra rope throughout). One possible drawback is that the terrain is wet and uneven, and the day is active enough that it’s not a fit for anyone with back/heart issues, vertigo, or a strong fear of heights.

Why Barranco de los Cernícalos Feels Different in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is famous for sun, cliffs, and dry trails. This is why canyoning here hits different: you’re exploring the Barranco de los Cernícalos ravine where the action is driven by water. It’s also one of the last jungle reserves on the island, so instead of dry scrub, you’re moving through a greener, wetter pocket of nature.

The route is designed to show you the canyon from multiple angles. First you earn that view with a hike. Then you feel it up close as you rappel down up to 12 meters. Finally you get the “from above” perspective on the way back, when the canyon looks totally different once you’ve already been inside it.

Entering Los Marteles: What the First 20 Minutes Set Up

Your day starts with a quick meeting at the parking area called Parking Descenso de Barranco/Canyoning Los Cernícalos. After that, the focus is on getting you ready, not on rushing you.

You’ll meet your instructor, then get your wetsuit, harness, and helmet. Before you move, you’ll learn how to use the equipment and make sure it fits properly. Expect a short instruction block and careful checking, because canyoning is all about small details done right.

Then comes a 20-minute hike through a rural area. It’s not the main event, but it matters: it warms you up, helps you read the ground underfoot, and builds the payoff. As you go, your guide shares history of Gran Canaria and points out what you’re looking at from the northeast side of the island.

Getting Gear Right: Safety Rope, Water, and Comfort Limits

This is adventure, so it comes with real rules. The good news is you don’t need any prior experience. The tour is built for first-timers, and you always stay connected by an extra safety rope during the canyoning portion.

The gear is included, but your job is simple: wear the right clothing and avoid slippery mistakes. You must bring swimwear, hiking shoes, and a change of clothes. Sandals or flip-flops are not allowed. That footwear rule is more important than it sounds—wet rock in a canyon does not forgive soft soles.

Now for the reality check. This trip is not suitable if you have back problems, heart problems, vertigo, or a fear of heights. And there are age and weight limits too: children under 12, people over 70, and anyone over 243 lbs (110 kg) can’t join. If you’re coming down with a cold, this probably isn’t your day either.

One more practical consideration: the water adds slip risk. Even with the safety rope, you’re moving across rocks and through pools, so you’ll want to go slow, keep your balance, and follow the instructor’s timing.

Rappelling Waterfalls: The Part You’ll Remember

Once you follow the watercourse, the first waterfall moments come fast enough to get your heart going, but structured enough that you don’t feel thrown in. You’ll rappel down waterfalls under your instructor’s guidance, with the route reaching up to 12 meters.

The day’s rhythm is usually: descend, reset, move along the water line, then descend again. You’ll abseil down 4 waterfalls before reaching the narrowest part of the canyon. That “narrowest part” is your mental checkpoint: after enough rappels and movement, the canyon starts to feel tighter and more enclosed, and that’s where you’ll notice the canyon walls shaping everything around you.

In a good group, it’s also where the mood shifts from nervous to focused. The guides are there to explain what to do next and keep you safe, not just to watch you do it. If your instructor is Manuel (a name that comes up often), you can expect clear instruction mixed with humor and extra attention to the group dynamic.

Wading Pools, Sliding Sections, and Jungle Footsteps

Between the rappels, you’ll spend time in the “moving-through-water” part of canyoning. This is where the trip becomes physical in a different way than the rappels. You may slide across pools and you’ll definitely walk through jungle segments as you descend the ravine.

This is also where good hiking shoes really earn their keep. You need grip for stepping over stones, and balance for moving where the bottom changes. If you’re the kind of person who overthinks every step, you’ll still do fine—just listen closely and let the instructor set the pace.

You’ll cross pools and walk in areas with native plants close to your path, which is a big part of why canyoning here is so engaging. It’s not just falling down waterfalls. It’s moving through a living corridor where the water has carved the route and the jungle fills the margins.

Reaching the Narrowest Point and Heading Back Up

After 4 waterfall descents, you reach the narrowest part of the canyon. Then the route adds a different kind of crossing: you’ll cross a waterfall section and continue along an adventure trail back toward the starting point.

That return trail isn’t just “we’re done.” It’s your chance to catch your breath and look at the canyon from above. When you come back out, you understand the earlier choices you made—where the water flows, where the rock formations tighten the space, and how the jungle connects to the ravine.

You’ll also get a snack break, which is genuinely helpful. Even when you don’t think you’ll be hungry after wet work and exertion, you usually are. It’s a nice reset before you finish and head back out to the parking area.

Nature Details That Make the Route Worth It

The canyon doesn’t just offer action. It offers specific nature moments you’ll likely remember when you’re off the trail.

First: the native willow trees. Seeing them in a canyon setting is striking on Gran Canaria, where most people expect dry vegetation. Here, water changes the whole feel of the environment.

Second: plants and jungle textures along the ravine. The reserve setting matters because you’re moving through one of the island’s last jungle areas, not a landscaped path. Even when you’re focused on safety, you’ll notice how close nature is to your route.

Third: the waterfalls themselves. You rappel down waterfalls, but you also get views out of the canyon. There’s a “why this ravine exists” feeling that comes from watching the water’s shape over time.

Price and What $77 Actually Buys You

At $77 per person for a 4-hour experience, the best way to judge value is not just the price tag. It’s what’s included: guide, equipment, insurance, pictures, and a snack.

That matters because canyoning can be expensive when you have to source wetsuits, harnesses, helmets, and insurance separately. Here, you’re paying for the full package—plus the small-group format (limited to 10 participants), which is a real advantage for first-timers who want attention and clear instruction.

Also, pictures being included is a small but practical perk. You’ll be moving, wet, and busy with your own safety checks. Having photos taken for you helps you get memories without trying to stop mid-action.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This is a good match if you want physical adventure with guidance and you’re comfortable being in and around water and rock. The tour is set up for people with no experience, as long as they meet the health and comfort limits.

It’s also a great fit for couples, small groups of friends, and solo travelers who like structured adventure. The small group size helps you avoid feeling lost in the chaos, and it keeps the instructor’s attention closer.

Skip it if any of these are you: children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, anyone with back or heart problems, people with vertigo, or anyone strongly afraid of heights. If you come down with a cold, canyoning may not be the right bet either, since you’ll be wet and moving for hours.

Practical Tips for Your Packing List

Since the tour requires specific clothing, I’d prep before you arrive at the meeting point. Bring swimwear you’re comfortable getting wet in, plus a change of clothes. Pack hiking shoes with grip—this is more important than style. And bring water, since you’ll be active and you’ll want to recharge.

Avoid sandals and flip-flops. You already know they look easy, but in wet canyon conditions they’re a real risk.

A smart mental checklist helps too:

• Listen for the instructor’s timing and signals.
• Go slow on slick rock sections.
• Focus on balance during pool crossings.
• Treat each rappel like a step-by-step task, not a moment to rush.

That’s usually the difference between a great day and a frustrating one.

Should You Book This Canyoning Tour in Las Palmas?

If you want a 4-hour Gran Canaria experience that goes beyond views and actually gets you into the island’s natural water world, this is a strong choice. The combination of the Los Marteles Special Natural Reserve, multiple waterfall rappels, and the “only canyon with water” element gives you variety, not just one highlight.

Book it if you’re able-bodied for wet, uneven terrain and you’re okay with heights in a controlled setting. Don’t book it if you have vertigo, a fear of heights, back or heart issues, or if you’re not comfortable moving through water and rocks.

FAQ

How long is the canyoning experience?

The tour lasts about 4 hours.

What does the $77 price include?

The price includes the guide, equipment, insurance, pictures, and a snack.

Do I need previous canyoning experience?

No experience is required.

What languages are available for the instructor?

The instructor speaks English and Spanish.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at Parking Descenso de Barranco/Canyoning Los Cernícalos (meeting point near the parking area).

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, hiking shoes, and water. Sandals or flip-flops are not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 12.