Strong sensation lovers, prepare to put on a suit and a helmet! Here are 7 places to make canyoning in the Tarn Gorges!
The beach is good but you’re more of the kind to love waterfalls, rocks and hot water? In this case, canyoning is the perfect activity for you! For those who don’t know, this activity consists of following a stream of water that passes through gorges, ravines, thanks to natural slides, jumps in vasques or waterfalls crossed as a reminder. Making canyoning in the Gorges du Tarn is making the full of sensations.
It goes without saying that before you start, you have to get in touch with the sites and especially get accompanied by a graduate instructor. Finally, knowing swimming is not an option, it is an obligation. Once past the first feeling of apprehension, it is the guaranteed adrenaline shot! In addition, which says canyoning usually says beautiful gorges and wild landscapes, it is the perfect cocktail for a memorable summer outing. And precisely, in terms of beautiful landscapes, the Tarn Gorge is particularly well known. The many torrents have dug the rock, which makes the happiness of the lovers of lively waters. There are for all tastes and levels. So without further delay, here is a presentation of 7 places to make canyoning in the Gorges du Tarn.
1. The High-Tarn
Level : beginner – discovery, perfect with family
Duration : about 3h
Period of focus May to September
This is the best known site to start canyoning in the Gorges du Tarn. It is also an opportunity to discover the sources of the Tarn in the Cevennes National Park . The departure is located in the village of Pont-de-Montvert. After a 15-minute walk, playful things start with swimming in crystalline water tanks, slides and walks in the cool.
The highlight of this canyon is that there are jumps of any height, which can go up to 10 meters for the most sporting, but none is mandatory. Indeed, all the difficulties of the course can be bypassed, which is perfect for beginners. In addition, the geology of the site is very beautiful. It chains area encased in the forest and discovery area that sometimes gives it a look of small wild beach. Once the course is finished, another small walk of about fifteen minutes through the plateau awaits you to reach the minibus.
2. The Rieutord Canyon
Level : beginner
Duration About 4 hours
Period of focus : practicable from April to September but ideal in May, June and July
Here is another perfect site for the family practice of canyoning in the Gorges du Tarn. The other advantage of the place is to be quite uncommon and wild. The departure takes place around the village of Vialas on the south side of Mont Lozère. The walk to rally the canyon is in itself very interesting with a beautiful view of the Cevenole mountains.
Once on the course, the descent follows the river with slides, vasques where swimming and walking on the boulders. There are also jumps of several meters high but they are not obligatory, so is the same for the part recalling about ten meters. From a landscape perspective, the Rieutord offers a good compromise between sporting practice without difficulties and discovering the flora of Lozère. Here's a great time this summer!
3. Bramabiau
Level : sporting discovery
Duration minimum 3 hours
Period of focus : May to September but attention is limited and regulated in July and August
Located on the west side of Mount Aigoual, the Bramabiau Canyon formed under the assaults of the Bonheur River. The name, very evocative, gives an idea of the beautiful sensations that await you. Indeed, the level of practice of canyoning is gradually increased with this course. If it is accessible to discovery, it is still necessary to be comfortable with the sensation of verticality and rapid descent.
The first part is quiet with a lot of aquatic walking, some jumps and swim to get in the leg. Everything is done in a beautiful forest landscape. Then comes the second part that has to decorate the gorges more encased. The rhythm becomes more intense with successions of slides where the descent is fast. There are also jumps that you can redo in envy, small reminders of 10 meters and some vertical progressions with ropes. Cherry on the cake, although this part is cashed, the course is very sunny and the water level is constant.
4. The Tapoul Canyon
Level : intermediate sport, accessible from 12 years
Duration 2h30 to 3h
Period of focus May to October
This is one of the most well-known courses of sensation lovers to practice canyoning in the Gorges du Tarn. It is even nicknamed the "aqualand" of the Cevennes! The decor is superb because the course takes place in a well-cashed gorge among high granite blocks. However, it is best to be prevented from leaving, it is necessary to be comfortable with vertical walls and the large flow of the river. However, the advantage of the Tapoul canyon is to be a progressive difficulty.
The first part therefore starts quietly and allows to get comfortable with jump techniques. After a few descents along the rocks and a few breezes in vasques, serious things happen. And that's it! Obstacles with different rope techniques follow as reminders or passages of cascade with handrail. There are a lot of jumps also, between 7 and 10 meters high, but which can be made as a reminder. The top of the course is a zipline of 25 meters with arrival in the water, of course.
5. The Gorges du Chassezac
Level : sport – technique
Duration 1 half day
Period of focus : from April to October
Playful but sporting is the perfect description for this canyon located near the border with the Ardèche. Indeed, although the heights are not dizzy, the obstacles to be crossed are linked. Many stages of the course are done using ropes, reminders, hands running on vertical walls. It is therefore necessary to be comfortable with the void.
But the landscape is worth the detour and effort to go through it. Moreover, the canyon of Channerac is known as one of the most beautiful in the region. Gorges with granite blocks, very smooth but sunny, offer slides, many jumps and large biefs to swim. In addition, it seems that water is relatively temperate, which is very appreciable.
6. Orgon stunts
Level intermediate – sport
Duration 6 a.m.
Period of focus : April to July (June for full version), waterfalls tend to tarnish during heavy heat
The course is located on the Aigoual massif and is considered one of the best to make canyoning in the Gorges du Tarn. One thing is certain, the final slide decorates, you don't have to say more and keep the surprise for adventurers. Carpet canyon birds, Orgon stunts allow you to experience sensations in a beautiful wild setting.
You must not be afraid to face the dozen cascades, one of which is more than 30 metres high. You will have understood it, recall techniques will no longer have secrets for you after that. There are, of course, jumps, beautiful vasques where to do a few breezes and slides that will delight the lovers of slip.
7. La Haute-Dourbie
Level : initiation – beginner
Duration 1 half day
Period of focus : May-September – attention some are subject to restrictions
The Gorges de la Haute-Dourbie are the ideal place to initiate you to canyoning in the Gorges du Tarn. The route tends more towards the water hiking, between swimming and walking, which is perfect for getting familiar with the live water slide. The slides and crystal clear vasques are perfectly connected and promise already nice sensations
There are also some beautiful jumps but which are all bypassable. You can also enjoy the geology of the gorges and the beauty of the landscape as the exit usually includes a picnic break at the edge of the water. What more to ask to spend a beautiful sunny day?
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