Between climbing and aquatic trekking: canyoning in Annecy

Canyoning is a thrill-seeking sport in which you move through a watercourse of varying length and speed. The aim is to climb over obstacles to reach your destination. On your way, you'll encounter waterfalls, gorges, narrow ravines, etc. It's great fun for all the family, and can be done in any natural area with landforms and water. There's no boat involved! You walk, jump, swim and sometimes even slide down the circuit's slides. It's a hybrid sport that combines climbing, white-water sports and hiking.

Wherever you are, canyoning activities take place in more or less the same way.

• You meet up at the sports centre to collect your equipment. Helmets and lifejackets are essential. You wait for the rest of the group to leave.
• A minibus will take you to the canyoning site.
• An instructor will explain the rules you need to follow to ensure your safety and the smooth running of the activity.
• And off you go! You follow your instructor around the circuit.
• Finally, the minibus takes you back to the sports centre.

An activity for all the family?

Canyoning is a fun activity for a sporty family. You'll need to be able to swim, as it's a sport in which you're often immersed. Depending on the circuit, it can be a fairly intense activity, so don't hesitate to ask the sports centre before booking.

With all the small rivers that flow into the lake and the relief of the Savoyard landscape, Annecy is a place full of canyons! You'll find canyoning spots like Montmin and the Cascade d'Angon in exceptional natural settings, with mountains, gorges, canyons and forests. Each agency will offer you different routes and packages, often within these two wonderful spots.

The Montmin gorges

This canyoning circuit is fed by the waters of the Tourette, at a height of 2,357 metres. There are several options for jumping into the cool water, from 1 to 7 metres, and some very fun natural slides. Don't worry, the jumps are not compulsory. The gorges de Montmin is a moderately difficult course for people who can swim well. The gorges de Montmin circuit lasts around 2 hours 30 minutes, but the instructor adapts to the pace of the group.

The Angon canyon

The Angon canyon is certainly the most famous in Annecy. A 60-metre-high waterfall in the rock awaits you after a hike. There are several routes within the canyon. However, the full circuit, including abseiling down the waterfall, is reserved for experienced sportsmen and women. The intermediate canyoning course at Angon is called the "letter box", where you venture down 3 abseiling descents, drenched in beautiful little waterfalls. This course is open to everyone aged 10 and over and lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.

It's important to be well equipped when canyoning. As well as safety equipment such as helmets, lanyards, harnesses and lifejackets, we recommend that you take the following with you:

A pair of good trainers or hiking sandals.

Your shoes will be your best allies during the canyoning descent. They must be able to go in the water and be strong enough not to break, so take shoes that hold your feet well so you don't lose them.

A wetsuit or underwater clothing

Even in summer, the water coming down from the mountains is very cold. On top of that, the canyons are often shaded and it can quickly get chilly. If you're feeling the chill, we recommend that you wear a neoprene wetsuit, which will prevent your teeth from chattering at the end of the day.

Towel, change of clothes and thermos of tea

At the end of your tour, all you'll want to do is get warm and dry, so don't forget to take a towel and a change of clothes so that you're comfortable once the adventure is over. Our little tip: a thermos of tea will warm your heart, and your extremities!