Sierra de Guara

The Sierra de Guara is a limestone massif north of Huesca cut by more than sixty canyons and gorges, several of them slot canyons only a couple of metres wide with walls hundreds of metres high, and since the 1970s it has been the centre of European canyoning: descending them involves swimming through pools, jumping, abseiling down waterfalls and scrambling, with routes graded from family-friendly to committing full-day trips. The Mascun, the Vero, the Barrasil and the Gorgas Negras are among the best known. The area also holds the largest griffon vulture concentration in Europe and important populations of Egyptian and bearded vultures. Rodellar is also a world-class sport climbing area. Access to some canyons is limited in the bird nesting season.

What you actually see

• The slot canyons - narrow gorges with walls hundreds of metres high.
• The descents - swimming, jumping and abseiling routes through the rock.
• The vulture population - Europe's densest griffon concentration.
• Rodellar - a village at the centre of the climbing and canyoning scene.

When to go

May to September, when water temperatures allow long descents; spring has higher flows and requires more experience. Guides operate from Alquezar, Rodellar and Bierge and are strongly advised for anything beyond the easiest routes.

Honest expectations

Canyoning is a technical activity and people die in these gorges most years, usually through inexperience or flash floods; going with a guide is the sensible default. Wetsuits are needed even in August. Some canyons are closed seasonally for nesting birds.

Nearby

Alquezar sits at the southern edge; the Mallos de Riglos and Loarre lie west.