Dare a guided canyoning tour and book it here. In this adventurous trend sport you make your way through the deep gorges of mountainous regions in remote nature. From climbing to swimming, diving and sliding, to jumping and abseiling, it's all here. The still young adventure sport canyoning is gaining more and more popularity worldwide. Switzerland is ideal for it thanks to its numerous gorges and mountain streams.
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Recommended based on recent reviews
“As a family of five, we had an amazing canyoning tour with our guide Raquel. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and made us feel safe throughout the entire tour. Everyone had a great time - highly recommended!”
“Jonathan was great! He made this experience wonderful for me and my kids!”
“Felt safe, laughed a lot, enjoyed diversity and happy after the tour.”
“I have done a lot of canyoning and this was the best. Best slides and jumps! Bravo!”
“Great guide (Enrico), exciting tour with lots of slides and jumps. Small group. My boys and I had a blast.”
“The tour was great. The group was a bit large, which sometimes caused waiting times until everyone was down or had rappelled. Overall, though, it was a top-notch tour.”
Travel guide
You love to be in nature, but can't decide between water and mountain sports? Then canyoning could be just right for you. This water sport is practiced in rivers and canyons. Here you can let off steam on natural slides, abseil through rushing waterfalls and climb over mighty rocks
Switzerland is a real canyoning paradise thanks to its numerous rivers and gorges. In the Bernese Oberland, in Central Switzerland, in Eastern Switzerland or in Graubünden you will find wonderful places for your adventure. However, the absolute center for canyoning in Switzerland is Ticino. Here you will find the largest selection of spectacular canyons with perfect conditions for every level
Canyoning is a sport that you should not do alone. If you are inexperienced and don't know the gorge well, it can be very demanding and dangerous depending on the weather. That is why we strongly recommend you to join a guided tour. If you are planning a canyoning trip on your own, you can find descriptions of 289 tours in the Canyoning Directory.
To enjoy your canyoning trip you should have a good basic fitness, be able to swim and be surefooted. We also recommend a minimum age of 8 years. Some operators specify a minimum age of 12 years.
This article gives you an overview of the nine best and most popular canyons where you can go canyoning in Switzerland on guided tours.
| Gorge | Level | Max Slide Length (m) | Max Jump Height (m) | Max Rappel Length (m) | Tour Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boggera,Ticino | easy | 25 | 10 | 25 | half a day |
| Iragna,Ticino | medium to hard | 8 | 13 | 40 | 5 hours |
| Verzasca,Ticino | easy to medium | 15 | 10 | 15 | 3-4 hours |
| Maggia Val Grande,Ticino | easy | 25 | 10 | 30 | 4 hours |
| Viamala,Grisons | easy | unknown | 10 | none | 3 hours |
| Saxeten,Bern | easy | 10 | 5 | 10 | 2-4 hours |
| Grimsel,Bern | easy | 5 | 8 | 50 | 2-3 hours |
| Chli Schliere,Obwalden | hard | 15 | 10 | 25 | 3-4 hours |
| Amden,St. Gallen | easy to medium | 15 | 17 | 20 | half to full day |
Ticino, with its impressive gorges and fast-flowing rivers, is a true paradise for canyoning. The Boggera Gorge is particularly suitable for beginners and those wanting to try canyoning for the first time.
In and around the gorge, you can expect a diverse, wild landscape and crystal-clear water. The river is located above the village of Cresciano in the Cresciano Valley and originates at an altitude of 2,700 m a.s.l. Here you'll find several kilometers of deep gorges and roaring waters. In the natural pool of the Boggera River, you'll find natural slides and have the chance to rappel from a height of 25 m. It's a real playground for water enthusiasts, young and old!
If you’re up for something a bit more challenging, the Iragna Gorge is a great choice. The gorge is also known as "Pózz Bórgh" and is located in Ticino near Biasca. You can reach it after an easy one-hour hike along an old slate path.
The gorge features some of the narrowest engraved canyons in Switzerland. Three waterfalls plunge down the gorge, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. The slanted water channels and the particularly deep crevices are also impressive. The Ignara Gorge offers abseiling spots of up to 40 m and jumps as high as 13 m. At times, you'll even walk right through waterfalls.
For a canyoning tour through the Iragna Gorge, you’ll need about 5 hours. You should already have some experience, as a few abseils and jumps can be tricky. Of course, there are also calmer spots in the gorge with open water basins for swimming and sunbathing. These areas are especially ideal for families or for relaxing after a demanding tour.
The Verzasca Valley in Ticino, near Locarno, is famous for its numerous waterfalls and crystal-clear waters. The most well-known attractions in the valley are the stone bridge in Lavertezzo and the dam in Gordola with its 007 bungy jump.
But did you know that canyoning is also possible in the Verzasca Valley? From Corippo, you'll find plenty of slides and jumps that are perfect for beginners. The gorge at Corippo is also interesting for advanced participants, featuring abseiling spots up to 40 m high.
Most tours last about 3 to 4 hours, taking you to slides and jumps that get higher and longer. The canyoning adventure concludes in the 220 m deep Vogorno Lake. If you're still looking for more adventure after the tour, you can try the Golden Eye 007 Bungy Jump here.
What makes the Maggiatal near Locarno special is the versatility of the gorge and the spectacular atmosphere with the typical granite rocks. The Val Grande in Ticino is perfect for newcomers to canyoning.
The difficulty increases gradually, and most obstacles can be replaced with easier alternatives. So, if you ever feel a bit overwhelmed, there's often the option for a simpler way. For experienced canyoners, the gorge also offers thrilling slides and exciting abseiling sections.
There are two absolute highlights when canyoning in the Maggiatal. On one hand, there's the abseil down a nearly 30 m high waterfall, affectionately called 'Little Niagara.' On the other hand, the 'Cannon Tube' awaits as a grand finale. At 25 m, it's one of the longest waterslides in Ticino.
One of the most famous gorges in Switzerland is the Viamala Gorge between Andeer and Thusis in Graubünden. From the 300 m high rock face to the gorge, a whopping 321 steps lead you down to the young Rhine. But the effort is definitely worth it. Once you have reached the bottom, a spectacular, technically rather easy canyoning tour awaits you.
Here you will enter a special gorge. Over millions of years, the water of the Hinterrhein and the glacial ice have carved the massive rock. That's why the gorge is called "Via mala", which means "bad way".
In the Viamala Gorge, canyoning in the typical sense is not waiting for you. There is no abseiling. Instead, a few slides and jumps are waiting for you, which you can also avoid. In the Viamala Gorge you rather go on an impressive hike through the river between the high rock faces. A large part of your excursion consists of swimming, so you should feel comfortable in the water.
Not quite sure if canyoning is really for you? Then the Saxetenschlucht is perfect for you. The gorge located close to Interlaken has everything that makes canyoning exciting, just on a slightly smaller and easier scale.
However, you'll encounter thrilling rocks in the sometimes narrow gorge that you can rappel down. There are also jumps into bubbling pools, small waterfalls, and fun slides waiting for you here. Although the tour is rather easy, you’ll experience real canyoning and an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.
At the beginning of the tour, you will rappel about 10 m. Two highlights in the Saxetenschlucht are the 5 m jump and the “Superman” slide. The remaining jumps are more relaxed, around 1 to 2 m high. All obstacles can be skipped if you prefer a more laid-back experience.
At the foot of the Grimsel Pass, near Meiringen and Innertkirchen, even beginners can have an amazing canyoning experience. This is a comfortable, short, and diverse gorge. But be warned, canyoning at Grimsel is not for the faint-hearted!
The tour is not very technically demanding, but it starts with a 50 m high granite wall from which you will rappel almost vertically. No other tour will make your knees shake quite like this one, while simultaneously offering such a spectacular view of the Bernese Alps.
After the high rappel, the tour is packed with exciting jumps and rock slides of up to 8 m. There's also a zip line waiting for you, from which you can jump into the crystal-clear natural pool. The rock formations are impressive, and the landscape of this alpine gorge is unique.
If you're looking for a challenge, Chli Schliere in Obwalden, right in the heart of Switzerland, is the ultimate test. Get ready for high jumps and abseiling spots reaching up to 25 m, along with long slides that promise an action-packed day.
The Obwalden creek starts at 1580 m above sea level and flows down to Alpnachstad. This "little Schliere" is quite demanding both physically and technically, so you should come with some canyoning experience, good swimming skills, and plenty of confidence. Once you're in the gorge, the only way out is through it.
If you don't shy away from high jumps and thrilling speeds, you’ll love canyoning in Chli Schliere.
In the Fallenbach Gorge in Amden, you'll feel like you're in a rainforest. The smooth rocks are often adorned with shimmering green moss and lush ferns, which are surrounded by crystal clear green pools. In addition, a unique flora and fauna awaits you.
The gorge is very suitable for beginners and families, but thanks to its diversity it is also interesting for experienced people. The first part is easy even for children and is the perfect preparation for the more difficult second part of the tour. You can also decide in each case whether you prefer to abseil down the jumps or even walk around them. At the same time, it is always possible to hike out of the gorge if it gets too much
To try canyoning in Switzerland, it doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner or already a professional. Thanks to the versatile canyons, you will find various spectacular destinations for your next canyoning adventure.
And if you share your photos or videos on social media, we'll be happy to share with you. Tag us on Instagram with #swissactivities or @swiss_activies or on Facebook with @Swissactivites.com.
You love to be in nature, but can't decide between water and mountain sports? Then canyoning could be just right for you. This water sport is practiced in rivers and canyons. Here you can let off steam on natural slides, abseil through rushing waterfalls and climb over mighty rocks
Switzerland is a real canyoning paradise thanks to its numerous rivers and gorges. In the Bernese Oberland, in Central Switzerland, in Eastern Switzerland or in Graubünden you will find wonderful places for your adventure. However, the absolute center for canyoning in Switzerland is Ticino. Here you will find the largest selection of spectacular canyons with perfect conditions for every level
Canyoning is a sport that you should not do alone. If you are inexperienced and don't know the gorge well, it can be very demanding and dangerous depending on the weather. That is why we strongly recommend you to join a guided tour. If you are planning a canyoning trip on your own, you can find descriptions of 289 tours in the Canyoning Directory.
To enjoy your canyoning trip you should have a good basic fitness, be able to swim and be surefooted. We also recommend a minimum age of 8 years. Some operators specify a minimum age of 12 years.
This article gives you an overview of the nine best and most popular canyons where you can go canyoning in Switzerland on guided tours.
| Gorge | Level | Max Slide Length (m) | Max Jump Height (m) | Max Rappel Length (m) | Tour Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boggera,Ticino | easy | 25 | 10 | 25 | half a day |
| Iragna,Ticino | medium to hard | 8 | 13 | 40 | 5 hours |
| Verzasca,Ticino | easy to medium | 15 | 10 | 15 | 3-4 hours |
| Maggia Val Grande,Ticino | easy | 25 | 10 | 30 | 4 hours |
| Viamala,Grisons | easy | unknown | 10 | none | 3 hours |
| Saxeten,Bern | easy | 10 | 5 | 10 | 2-4 hours |
| Grimsel,Bern | easy | 5 | 8 | 50 | 2-3 hours |
| Chli Schliere,Obwalden | hard | 15 | 10 | 25 | 3-4 hours |
| Amden,St. Gallen | easy to medium | 15 | 17 | 20 | half to full day |
Ticino, with its impressive gorges and fast-flowing rivers, is a true paradise for canyoning. The Boggera Gorge is particularly suitable for beginners and those wanting to try canyoning for the first time.
In and around the gorge, you can expect a diverse, wild landscape and crystal-clear water. The river is located above the village of Cresciano in the Cresciano Valley and originates at an altitude of 2,700 m a.s.l. Here you'll find several kilometers of deep gorges and roaring waters. In the natural pool of the Boggera River, you'll find natural slides and have the chance to rappel from a height of 25 m. It's a real playground for water enthusiasts, young and old!
If you’re up for something a bit more challenging, the Iragna Gorge is a great choice. The gorge is also known as "Pózz Bórgh" and is located in Ticino near Biasca. You can reach it after an easy one-hour hike along an old slate path.
The gorge features some of the narrowest engraved canyons in Switzerland. Three waterfalls plunge down the gorge, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. The slanted water channels and the particularly deep crevices are also impressive. The Ignara Gorge offers abseiling spots of up to 40 m and jumps as high as 13 m. At times, you'll even walk right through waterfalls.
For a canyoning tour through the Iragna Gorge, you’ll need about 5 hours. You should already have some experience, as a few abseils and jumps can be tricky. Of course, there are also calmer spots in the gorge with open water basins for swimming and sunbathing. These areas are especially ideal for families or for relaxing after a demanding tour.
The Verzasca Valley in Ticino, near Locarno, is famous for its numerous waterfalls and crystal-clear waters. The most well-known attractions in the valley are the stone bridge in Lavertezzo and the dam in Gordola with its 007 bungy jump.
But did you know that canyoning is also possible in the Verzasca Valley? From Corippo, you'll find plenty of slides and jumps that are perfect for beginners. The gorge at Corippo is also interesting for advanced participants, featuring abseiling spots up to 40 m high.
Most tours last about 3 to 4 hours, taking you to slides and jumps that get higher and longer. The canyoning adventure concludes in the 220 m deep Vogorno Lake. If you're still looking for more adventure after the tour, you can try the Golden Eye 007 Bungy Jump here.
What makes the Maggiatal near Locarno special is the versatility of the gorge and the spectacular atmosphere with the typical granite rocks. The Val Grande in Ticino is perfect for newcomers to canyoning.
The difficulty increases gradually, and most obstacles can be replaced with easier alternatives. So, if you ever feel a bit overwhelmed, there's often the option for a simpler way. For experienced canyoners, the gorge also offers thrilling slides and exciting abseiling sections.
There are two absolute highlights when canyoning in the Maggiatal. On one hand, there's the abseil down a nearly 30 m high waterfall, affectionately called 'Little Niagara.' On the other hand, the 'Cannon Tube' awaits as a grand finale. At 25 m, it's one of the longest waterslides in Ticino.
One of the most famous gorges in Switzerland is the Viamala Gorge between Andeer and Thusis in Graubünden. From the 300 m high rock face to the gorge, a whopping 321 steps lead you down to the young Rhine. But the effort is definitely worth it. Once you have reached the bottom, a spectacular, technically rather easy canyoning tour awaits you.
Here you will enter a special gorge. Over millions of years, the water of the Hinterrhein and the glacial ice have carved the massive rock. That's why the gorge is called "Via mala", which means "bad way".
In the Viamala Gorge, canyoning in the typical sense is not waiting for you. There is no abseiling. Instead, a few slides and jumps are waiting for you, which you can also avoid. In the Viamala Gorge you rather go on an impressive hike through the river between the high rock faces. A large part of your excursion consists of swimming, so you should feel comfortable in the water.
Not quite sure if canyoning is really for you? Then the Saxetenschlucht is perfect for you. The gorge located close to Interlaken has everything that makes canyoning exciting, just on a slightly smaller and easier scale.
However, you'll encounter thrilling rocks in the sometimes narrow gorge that you can rappel down. There are also jumps into bubbling pools, small waterfalls, and fun slides waiting for you here. Although the tour is rather easy, you’ll experience real canyoning and an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.
At the beginning of the tour, you will rappel about 10 m. Two highlights in the Saxetenschlucht are the 5 m jump and the “Superman” slide. The remaining jumps are more relaxed, around 1 to 2 m high. All obstacles can be skipped if you prefer a more laid-back experience.
At the foot of the Grimsel Pass, near Meiringen and Innertkirchen, even beginners can have an amazing canyoning experience. This is a comfortable, short, and diverse gorge. But be warned, canyoning at Grimsel is not for the faint-hearted!
The tour is not very technically demanding, but it starts with a 50 m high granite wall from which you will rappel almost vertically. No other tour will make your knees shake quite like this one, while simultaneously offering such a spectacular view of the Bernese Alps.
After the high rappel, the tour is packed with exciting jumps and rock slides of up to 8 m. There's also a zip line waiting for you, from which you can jump into the crystal-clear natural pool. The rock formations are impressive, and the landscape of this alpine gorge is unique.
If you're looking for a challenge, Chli Schliere in Obwalden, right in the heart of Switzerland, is the ultimate test. Get ready for high jumps and abseiling spots reaching up to 25 m, along with long slides that promise an action-packed day.
The Obwalden creek starts at 1580 m above sea level and flows down to Alpnachstad. This "little Schliere" is quite demanding both physically and technically, so you should come with some canyoning experience, good swimming skills, and plenty of confidence. Once you're in the gorge, the only way out is through it.
If you don't shy away from high jumps and thrilling speeds, you’ll love canyoning in Chli Schliere.
In the Fallenbach Gorge in Amden, you'll feel like you're in a rainforest. The smooth rocks are often adorned with shimmering green moss and lush ferns, which are surrounded by crystal clear green pools. In addition, a unique flora and fauna awaits you.
The gorge is very suitable for beginners and families, but thanks to its diversity it is also interesting for experienced people. The first part is easy even for children and is the perfect preparation for the more difficult second part of the tour. You can also decide in each case whether you prefer to abseil down the jumps or even walk around them. At the same time, it is always possible to hike out of the gorge if it gets too much
To try canyoning in Switzerland, it doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner or already a professional. Thanks to the versatile canyons, you will find various spectacular destinations for your next canyoning adventure.
And if you share your photos or videos on social media, we'll be happy to share with you. Tag us on Instagram with #swissactivities or @swiss_activies or on Facebook with @Swissactivites.com.
Table of Contents
Canyoning · answered by our editorial team
Canyoning can in principle be performed by any person. Decisive for the suitability is especially the selected canyon, which decides on the degree of difficulty and type of individual obstacles. In addition, there is the own physical fitness and from a certain level you should be able to swim. You must not be afraid of heights for this sport activity. It is recommended that you take a guided tour. Local canyon hikers will guide you to the most impressive and spectacular spots in the canyon.
The evaluation of the difficulty of canyoning tours is very complex. In principle, the more water a canyon has, the more difficult it is. However, the water level in the canyons varies greatly. Therefore, a canyon is rated based on its average water level. There are several models for evaluating the difficulty
Mostly these criteria are taken into account:
Fortunately, the Swiss canyon landscape offers the perfect route for every level. Easier gorges make it possible for everyone to try the trend sport once, even without prior knowledge
Many places also offer tours for the whole family, although the minimum age for children sometimes varies somewhat. In most cases, however, children should be at least 12 years old in order to participate in the gorge adventure. More difficult routes in Swiss gorges (especially in the south) are especially popular with experienced climbers and gorge hikers. They offer spectacular and challenging pro-level excursions.
Sporting requirements depend on the level of difficulty: the more difficult the canyon, the more endurance and athletic you need to be. Physically fit, however, you should be in principle, because even on easier tours surefootedness, stamina and fitness are necessary. The weight limit is usually 125 kg
The exact requirements for canyoning are laid down in the General Guidelines Canyoning of the Swiss Outdoor Association.
On beginner tours, in most cases it is possible to bypass overly challenging elements or continue on alternative routes. The mountain guide will safely lead you out of the situation.
Normally, at the beginning of your adventure, you will be introduced by the guides to the various important elements of canyoning. You will be shown basic techniques for rappelling, jumping, sliding and much more. The experienced guides will help you with any questions or problems. They will make sure that your canyoning trip will be an absolutely unforgettable experience. Most of the bases are located near the canyons, which can be reached in short drives. Once you arrive at the canyon and before it really starts, final safety instructions and explanations will be given. From here the adventure begins: climbing, sliding, jumping, swimming and a full load of fun in nature!
In Switzerland, booked tours are always accompanied by very competent and experienced guides, which makes canyoning very safe. If you follow the instructions of the guides, nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable and great canyon experience. Certified or approved providers can be found at BASPO (Swiss Federal Office for Sport). How the training of the guides is regulated and what has to be observed in terms of safety can also be found in the General Guidelines Canyoning of the Swiss Outdoor Association. As with all activities in the medium risk range, among which canyoning is mostly counted, there is of course a risk of injury. Of course, an extreme sport should never be underestimated. Sometimes stones can come loose or one can slip. But even these risks can be kept to a minimum by letting the guides guide you.
To be able to hike the canyons, you need some equipment. In addition to complete neoprene clothing, you need good shoes and an alpine helmet. In addition, you need a life jacket and special canyoning equipment. Most of the providers provide such equipment completely. You usually only need to bring swimwear, a towel and a small backpack. This differs depending on the provider. Your guide will clarify this with you in advance.
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