Are you seeking an activity to do in the Ardèche with your family, friends, or coworkers that is thrilling, allows you to reconnect with nature in one of the lushest natural environments, and all while having a great time? So have a look at our recommendations for canyoning!

Why choose this region?

Canyoning is an exhilarating sport that allows you to appreciate the tranquillity of aquatic nature while also experiencing intense feelings, including high levels of adrenaline on the more challenging courses. It involves travelling down a stream or river with jumps, waterfalls, and natural slides, and especially here in the Ardèche gorges, which hide a diversified fauna and vegetation. This is what makes them so lovely, and why they're so well-known in France!

The numerous possibilities for a beautiful experience in the Cévennes, an area suitable for caving and for this activity in its emerald green waterways, are listed below.

Where to go canyoning Ardèche?

We recommend a variety of options, which you can choose from based on your needs and skill level:

• Canyoning Sensation for Half a Day at Bas Chassezac: If you're in the Lozère or Gard regions and want to experience the thrill of activity in the midst of nature while spending time with your family, look no further! This option is ideal for beginners, and you can explore the Bas Chassezac canyon with an instructor after a briefing at the meeting point in Pied-de-Borne. Its three-hour duration will allow you to fully appreciate the Ardèche Cévennes and all that their landscape has to offer. You will also be exposed to many experiences since the course includes rappels and jumps that will excite you, waterfalls leading to emerald pools, and natural slides to enjoy. Even children older than 7 years can participate.

• Half-day family trip to the Canyon de l'Azéro: This activity is suitable for children as young as five years old, making it ideal for families. The departure is from Mayres, where the briefing will be done by the instructors that involve a detailed explanation of all the safety precautions. You will be led into the Haute Ardèche canyon, more often known as Azéro. Here, you will find jumps up to 5 metres high, natural slides, and a 2-and-a-half-hour journey along the most pleasant route available.

• A day of Sports Canyoning at the Canyon de la Borne: This most nautical option, with jumps up to 12 metres high, natural slides, waterfalls, and a zip line, is for those most eager for thrills and excitement. This adventure in the raw and untamed gorges of Borne can be shared with friends, colleagues, or even family, as kids as young as 12 years old are welcome. However, due to its 6-hour duration and significantly higher difficulty level, it necessitates good physical fitness. You will only need to pack water and a picnic lunch to consume during your break.

• The 3-hour Aquatic Adventure route to Avignon: This option is equally suited for enjoying as a couple or with family and friends. It's a lot of fun and can be done by kids as young as 8 years. Its route will take you through the river's environment in Baume, with rock jumps and abseiling zones. In addition to the more technical aspects of canyoning, you can try your hand at caving in the caverns, climbing, and even a zip line! We also propose doing this activity in the afternoon to complete your experience with a spectacular sunset in this lovely location!

• Canyoning in the Canyon d'Azéro for half a day: This activity in the Azéro will allow you to see beautiful landscapes. You will attempt jumps up to 7 metres in height, but knowing how to swim and being in strong physical shape are required. The workshop will be held in groups of ten persons at max, and children as young as seven are invited!

• Canyoning in the Canyon for half a day Haute Bésorgues: Available in parties of up to ten people and to kids as young as ten years old, this adventure between Puy and Montélimar, more specifically in Labastide-sur-Bésorgues, will immerse you in an adventure with its descents and jumps up to 8 metres. You must know how to swim and be in good physical condition if you want to attempt this route.

• Half-day Canyoning at the Cascade de Pissevieille: This canyoning activity, which includes jumps up to 8 metres high and a course through the cascades, is sure to provide thrills! The best part of this option is the 90-meter cobweb descent. Yes, you read that right! To participate in this 4-hour activity, you must be able to swim and be in decent physical shape. Children as young as 12 years old are welcome!

• The Aquatic Hike in the Basse Bésorgues Canyon: Do you wish to take your family canyoning? This exercise is ideal for that, as it may even be attempted by kids as young as 7! Its 2-hour tour will allow you to explore clear and deep pools, natural toboggan descents, jumps, and swim. The duration of the experience includes the 5-minute journey as well as the 10-minute return journey.

• Sports Canyoning at Canyon de la Borne: This 5-hour excursion in the white waters of the Gorges de la Borne is recommended for canyoning enthusiasts. It will make you experience high levels of excitement during its incredibly sporty route, which you may undertake with friends or coworkers. Walking, climbing rock walls, jumping up to 8 metres, and thrilling zip line descents and rappels are all available. Take note that it will take only 5 minutes to go there and 20 minutes to return. This path is offered to children as young as 12 years old, but only from April to October.

• Discovery Canyoning towards Montélimar: Spend 2 hours in the Cévennes regional park learning about canyoning, climbing, caving, and an adventure course. You can try abseils up to 30 metres high, zip lines, and pendulum jumps at the Rochecombe location. But if you're not feeling particularly courageous, don't fret; an alternative path is accessible. We recommend this activity to families because it is offered all year long and is suitable for children as young as ten years old.

• A day of canyoning in the Haute Borne Canyon: This place is open to the public and has a route suitable for all abilities. You will be able to jump, abseil, zip-line, and see a cave with a water curtain. You can take a shuttle from Col de la Croix de Bauzon and spend a whole day outdoors. In fact, two and a half hours are scheduled for the morning, followed by a picnic break, before returning for another two and a half hours in the afternoon. Available to children as young as ten years old, but you must be in decent physical shape and be able to swim to participate. Similarly, for 1.30m, a minimum weight of 35 kg is necessary. Its duration ranges from 5 to 6 hours, with a return walk of around 35 minutes.

When is the best time to do a descent?

If you wish to go canyoning in Ardèche, you should know that you can do it at any time of year. However, we also provide various options with itineraries that are only available from April to October.

What am I supposed to bring?

As you can see, depending on the age of the participants, you have a variety of options. In any case, it's a good idea to bring a bathing suit, closed athletic shoes, a wet-weather outfit, water and a picnic. However, all firms in the Ardèche region supply the necessary equipment, whether it's a neoprene suit (with socks), a helmet, or even more.

So don't waste any more time! Immerse yourself in the adventure!