The Pyrénées-Orientales are a slice of heaven in France's southwest. This department's natural beauty and variety of sceneries make it a museum to be discovered and studied throughout time. Department 66 is the ideal location for all types of outdoor sports and recreational activities. Canyoning is the ideal sport if you seek to for combine the elements of earth, air, and water while exploring spectacular landscapes. There are many canyons, gorges, and streams in Occitania. Mountain ranges like the Massif Central and the Pyrenees cover almost 55% of the country's surface area.

Requirements to live this experience

Only two requirements must be met: you must be able to swim and crave adventure and adrenaline.

You can abseil, jump up to 10 metres, and slide down fun and fantastic natural slides! You can also use the white water course to float or have fun with your loved ones during the activity, depending on the difficulty level chosen for your descent.

Canyoning is a physically demanding sport, but it can also be a fun hobby to share with friends or family owing to the many locations where it can be done which we break down below by difficulty levels and minimum age required.

Where to go canyoning in the Pyrénées-Orientales?

The department covers an area of more than 4,100 km². Wherever you are located, you will find a place to do this activity.

• The Galamus Gorges: These gorges, located in Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, are on the Aude department's boundary. Canyoning is popular in this area. It is, in fact, a deep crevice in the limestone of the Fenouillèdes, where the walls get closer as you advance, allowing sportsmen, especially beginners, to move between them depending on the season. Perpignan is 45 minutes away, and Prades is an hour away. The Galamus Gorges can be completed in two or three hours because of its easy difficulty level. It is suitable for children as young as seven and is ideal for family outings for fun and enjoyment. You'll adore our half-day deals, which include discounted pricing for groups or large families.

• Gourg des Anelles: This canyon is for the little more adventurous and can only be attempted by people over 12 (and older depending on their height) and demands a reasonable level of physical fitness to spend half a day there. Due to its somewhat vertical path, it is exciting and allows you to test out all aspects of canyoning, including abseiling, white water progression, and so on. This canyon requires a three-hour minimum walking time. This gorgeous canyon is famed for its several waterfalls, four of which are suitable for abseiling. The highest abseil is 30 metres, followed by a 12-metre abseil and two 3-metre abseils towards the end of the route. These descents are optional, and you can avoid them if you don't feel confident doing them. The canyon is located between the communes of Céret and Reynès, 40 minutes from Argelès-sur-Mer and one hour from Banyuls-sur-Mer, in the Albères mountain.

• The canyon of Llech: Guarantees adrenaline rushes. This canyon's descent is strenuous and needs stamina and high physical condition. This canyon is accessible to children as young as 14 years old. It's a water route, but it's also vertical, with 15 water leaps on average and plenty of abseiling. After a 17-meter abseil, the drop includes slides of up to 10 metres, jumps of 4 to 9 metres, and a 17-meter abseil. This canyon is one of France's five most beautiful. There requires an approach and return hike to reach it, and the descent takes around half a day. It is located in Prades, 50 minutes from Perpignan, on the Canigou massif.

• The Thuès Hot Water Canyon: Is a one-of-a-kind experience. It is a hot water thermal canyon with a temperature of 35 degrees and is open all year. If you decide to go with your family, this beautiful place in France will give you unforgettable memories. In fact, for half a day, children as young as eight years old can easily attempt canyoning here. It's in the Canigou massif, in the Thuès-Entre-Valls municipality, 30 minutes from Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via and an hour from Perpignan.

When is the best time of year to do this activity?

Canyoning is usually done in the spring and summer, from April to September. You can choose a more accurate period in this department based on your level of canyoning. For example, the best time for beginners to visit the Galamus Gorges is between July and August, when the flow is lower and the water is warmer.

Due to its proximity to ski resorts and the relatively warm water temperature, the Thuès canyon can also be visited in the winter, particularly on a skiing vacation.

What should I plan before going?

Personal canyoning equipment is not required in most cases. All of our packages include complete canyoning equipment. However, bringing a swimming costume, shoes, and spare clothes, as well as a bath towel, will allow you to dress comfortably after the exercise. We also recommend bringing sun protection, a drink, and a snack if you become hungry.

Now that you know everything there is to know about the Eastern Pyrenees canyons, all you have to do is go through the options we have and book the one that interests you the most. Invite your friends or family to join you on this journey; they will be absolutely enchanted by the breathtaking scenery you will witness in this department.