Canyoning (known as canyoneering in the U.S.) is traveling in canyons from top to bottom (in early days also the other way around) using a variety of techniques that may include other outdoor activities such as walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling, swimming and sometimes even diving.

Although hiking down a canyon that is non-technical (canyon hiking) is often referred to as canyoneering, the terms canyoning and canyoneering are more often associated with technical descents — those that require rappels (abseils) and ropework, technical climbing or down-climbing, technical jumps, and/or technical swims.

Canyoning was established as adventure sport over two decades ago in Spain and Southern France. In recent years it had its breakthrough in the Northern Alps. In the U.S. the sport saw a boost in the late 1990s due to the strong development in Europe.

Apart from the athletic and adventure appeal, canyoning puts its focus on the nature experience. In addition, team spirit and mutual trust play an important role, as well as nature conservation. Some conservationists criticize canyoning, since it explores parts of nature that humans could normally not access. The commercial marketing of the sport for tourism purposes supposedly causes problems. However, what critics have to keep in mind is that canyons are distressed areas. Several times a year they are changed by floodwater to a much greater extent than by humans who travel in these canyons. And most canyoning tours focus on the shared experience of nature.

Safety
Canyoning can be dangerous and requires navigational, route-finding and other alpine and water skills. Escape out the sides of a canyon is often impossible, and completion of the descent is the only possibility. Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of many canyons, rescue can be impossible for several hours or several days.

In the beginning canyoning should only be done with an experienced guide or instructor. To som extent the used techniques differ significantly from the ones used in climbing or alpine mountaineering – a simple transfer of these techniques to canyoning can be very dangerous.

Previous information about weather conditions is indispensable, because heavy rainfall in a large watershed can increase the water level in a tight gorge within minutes and thus be life threatening. Other risks, like the potential water drain of a dam, also need to be considered.

This sport demands utmost safety. You should never go on your own. Groups with three to four people are considered ideal.

Requirements
Those who would like to practice this sport should have surefootedness, not be scared of heights, a good physical endurance and sufficient knowledge on the following topics:

Rope techniques (abseiling, resolvable systems etc.)
Whitewater techniques (analyzing currents etc.)
Meteorology
First Aid
Navigation
Equipment

To get to know the sport there are several commercial operators who also offer the necessary equipment for guided tours. In order to do self-contained tours we recommend joining a club or attending the state-approved training classes.