Las Palmas, Gran Canaria: Canyoning Adventure

Gran Canaria is famous for sun and beaches, but this is the other side of the island: Los Marteles Special Natural Reserve. You hike into a ravine system and then do real canyoning, with rappels, wading, and jungle walking that feels like a nature workout, not a theme park stunt.

I especially like two things. First, it is one of the few places on the island where you can canyon with water present, so the waterfalls and pools are the point, not just decoration. Second, the guiding style here is focused on setup and comfort, including hands-on help with gear, plus real explanations about the island while you move.

One consideration: this is not for people who are squeamish about heights or uneven footing. Even with safety systems and an instructor right there, you will be on ropes and moving through wet rocks.

Key moments you should care about

• Los Marteles Special Natural Reserve entry, with a true ravine feel
• Only-canyon-with-water style canyoning in Gran Canaria
• Up to 12 meters waterfall rappels, plus 4 waterfalls total
• A small group (maximum 10), so the guide can coach you closely
• Extra safety system, including an additional safety rope while canyoning
• A snack stop built in, so the 4 hours stay fun, not punishing

Los Marteles and the Los Cernícalos ravine, a rare wet-adventure on Gran Canaria

If you only know Gran Canaria for its viewpoints and beach towns, canyoning here can surprise you. You are in the Los Marteles Special Natural Reserve, and the route takes you through the Barranco de los Cernícalos ravine. That matters because this is not just a walk with a waterfall at the end. You are moving through a drainage system, so the terrain, plants, and water shape the whole experience.

The tour also leans into what makes this part of the island different: it is described as the only canyon with water in Gran Canaria. That means the waterfalls, pools, and slides you cross are actually functioning parts of the canyon, not a dry route with occasional mist.

And you get nature at close range. You will see plants up close, including native willow trees in the area. If you care about small details, this is the kind of place where you notice textures, water movement, and how the ravine walls frame the sky.

The 4-hour plan, step by step, from wet gear to the narrow canyon

This is a half-day adventure that runs about 4 hours total. You meet at the parking Descenso de Barranco/Canyoning Los Cernícalos (it is easiest to arrive by car and use the map pin from the meeting area). From there, the rhythm is: gear up, short approach hike, then the main canyon descent.

1) Meet your instructor and gear up

You start with your instructor, who will fit you with a wetsuit, harness, and helmet. They also teach you how to use the equipment and make sure it is positioned correctly before you go anywhere near the water.

This part can make or break the day. When gear is fitted well, you feel more secure and you spend less time thinking and more time doing. If you have never worn a harness before, plan to take the fitting seriously and listen closely. It is not hard, but it is your one chance to get comfortable before the first rappel.

A snack is included later, so you do not have to worry about carrying food, but you still should bring water as advised.

2) A 20-minute hike to the start of the action

Before you touch ropes, you do about a 20-minute hike through rural areas. This is not just a transfer. It is your warm-up and your settling-in time, and you get a first look at the terrain you will be descending.

You also get views of the northeast part of Gran Canaria, and your guide shares island history while you walk. That mix is a nice break from pure adrenaline, because it turns the scenery into context instead of scenery alone.

3) Follow the watercourse and rappel up to 12 meters

Now the main event starts: you follow the watercourse and rappel up to 12 meters down a waterfall. Your instructor is with you the whole time, coaching you on technique and pacing your steps.

Even if you are not an outdoor athlete, canyoning is learnable. You will not be asked to improvise. You are doing controlled movements, with attention to footing and body position while the rope system keeps you secure.

4) Pools, jungle walking, and crossing the canyon’s tight spots

After the first descent, you continue descending through the ravine. You slide across pools and walk through the jungle segments, with the route guiding you from one feature to the next.

After you have abseiled down 4 waterfalls, you reach the narrowest part of the canyon. This is where the environment starts to feel most enclosed. You then cross a waterfall and head back along an adventure trail.

Along the way, you stop for a snack and you get a chance to take in the canyon from above, which is a great mental reset after being focused on your own movement.

Safety first: what you are connected to during the rappels

This activity uses multiple layers of safety, and that is worth emphasizing. You will be connected by an extra safety rope when canyoning. That means you are not relying on a single line and hoping for the best. The setup is designed to keep you supported throughout the risky parts.

You also should treat this as a guided sport, not a DIY adventure. You do not need prior canyoning experience, but you do need to follow instructions. Listen during gear fitting and again when you reach the first rappel point.

The reviews reflect this kind of coaching, including how guides create a calm group mood. If you are the type who gets anxious, that coaching approach matters. It helps you focus on the next step, literally, instead of spiraling into what-ifs.

Waterfalls, pools, and the “only with water” payoff

This is the part most people come for: the waterfall-to-waterfall rhythm. The tour includes rappels down 4 waterfalls, including one stretch that goes as high as 12 meters.

You will also wade and slide across pools. If you have ever hiked on wet rocks, you know it changes everything. Slopes become slick. Footing becomes uncertain. That is why having the right shoes and following the guide’s pace matters.

The payoff of canyoning with water is that each section feels like it is alive. Water shapes how the canyon walls wear, where the pools form, and which paths are easiest. On a dry route, you would mainly be watching waterfalls. Here, the water is actively in your way and part of your movement.

And that is not just adrenaline. It is also fun sensory stuff: cool air from the falls, the sound of water close by, and the quick shifts between open sky and enclosed ravine.

The jungle walk and the island story behind the scenery

Between the technical moments, you are walking through jungle-like stretches and rural sections. That keeps the day from feeling like only ropes and only falls.

You also learn about the island as you go. The guide shares history during the approach hike, and you will see outstanding nature attractions like native willow trees. Those details are why this tour can feel more satisfying than a standard activity where you only collect photos and move on.

A practical note: this part is still active. You are wearing a wetsuit, plus harness and helmet later. So even the “walking breaks” are not leisurely stroll time. It is moderate and you will feel it by the end.

Price and value: why $77 feels fair for what you get

At $77 per person for about 4 hours, this is one of those pricing categories where value depends on inclusions. Here, you do get a solid bundle:

• A guide
• Equipment (wetsuit, harness, helmet)
• Insurance
• Pictures
• Snack

You also avoid the extra cost of renting gear or arranging your own safety setup. That is the main reason the price feels reasonable: the heavy lifting is already paid for.

The only meaningful downside on value is the lack of hotel pickup and drop-off. You handle getting to the parking meeting point on your own. If you are renting a car or you are already in easy reach of Las Palmas area routes, that is manageable. If you rely on taxis from far away, factor in transit.

Overall, for a guided, equipment-included canyoning experience with insurance and a snack, this sits in the “pay for safety and coaching” sweet spot.

Who this canyoning adventure suits best, and who should skip it

This tour is for ages 12 and up, and it has several clear limits. You will not want to book if any of the following apply:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• People afraid of heights
• People with vertigo
• People with a cold
• People over 243 lbs (110 kg)
• People over 70 years

If you are fine with heights but nervous about the first rappel, you might still be okay. What matters is whether you can follow directions, keep your body calm, and move carefully on wet terrain.

You do not need experience. That makes it a good pick for first-timers who want real canyoning, not a watered-down intro class.

It also fits well as a small-group activity. The group is limited to 10 participants, so you get more attention during setup and transitions.

What to bring, and the one clothing mistake to avoid

You will be in water and on wet surfaces. So pack like it is a sport, not like it is a sightseeing morning.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Change of clothes
• Hiking shoes
• Water

Do not wear:

• Sandals or flip flops

That rule is not just about comfort. Wet rock + slick pools can punish the wrong footwear fast. Hiking shoes help you grip and protect your feet from uneven ground.

Also bring a change of clothes that you can actually warm up in after. The wetsuit helps, but you will still finish the tour damp. Plan for that, and you will enjoy the day more.

My quick booking decision guide: should you do it?

Book this if you want:

• A half-day outdoor adventure with real waterfalls and pools
• A guide-led experience that includes equipment fitting and safety setup
• Nature close up, including the ravine feel and plants like native willow trees
• The chance to learn island context while you move

Think twice if you:

• Get uneasy with heights or you have vertigo
• Have any listed medical constraints like back or heart issues
• Want a relaxed walk with no rope work
• Need hotel pickup, because you will start from the parking meeting point yourself

If you match the safety profile and you like active days, this canyoning route in the Los Cernícalos ravine is a strong value play. You get coaching, equipment, insurance, and photos, plus the kind of scenery that is hard to experience any other way on Gran Canaria.

FAQ

How long is the Las Palmas Canyoning Adventure?

The experience lasts about 4 hours.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at Parking Descenso de Barranco/Canyoning Los Cernícalos. You can use the provided map link to find the exact spot.

Do I need any prior canyoning experience?

No. You do not need any experience for this tour.

What is included in the price?

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

It is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, people afraid of heights, people with vertigo, people with a cold, people over 110 kg, or people over 70 years.