Canyoning is an outdoor mountain activity that involves navigating down water-carved gorges and descending rivers. Guided outings allow participants to journey through natural mountain waterways by rappelling down waterfalls, sliding into natural pools, swimming, and negotiating optional jumps. These adventures are often paired with white-water rafting and are offered during the warmer periods of the year, primarily across the spring, summer, and autumn seasons.
Numerous destinations offer structured routes along distinct rivers and gorges. Morzine provides access to the Gorges du Dereches, a natural gorge located right near the resort. In Saint-Lary-Soulan, visitors can take half-day trips into the Canyon d'Héas with optional jumps or head to the Neste in the Aure Valley. In Pra Loup / Val d'Allos, participants can explore the Gorges du Bachelard near Uvernet-Fours as well as the Ubaye River.
Further canyoning opportunities exist across varied terrain. In San Sicario, guided excursions explore the Dora Riparia river system, combining gorge navigation with waterfall rappelling and pool sliding. In Switzerland, Silvaplana provides organized tours along the Inn River in the Engadin valley, while Sölden in Austria allows thrill-seekers to experience white-water trips along the Ötztaler Ache river.