Obsession Minérale

Climbing and canyoning in Rodellar and Royans-Vercors

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Canyoning Rodellar

The Sierra de Guara is full of canyons and limestone gorges, each one deeper, more spectacular and more aesthetic than the next. Each canyon offers the chance for a different journey.

Turquoise water basins, cramps, siphons, monstrous overhangs… Shapes, colors, vegetation, everything unfolds at a frantic pace often going well beyond what we had imagined. Surprise is followed by enthusiasm, then by amazement.

OUR CANYONS IN RODELLAR

When we travel the winding road to get to Rodellar, we do not suspect the little wonders that hide in the gorges and valleys we cross. The practice of canyoning allows this: to discover and appreciate what is invisible to the eyes of the motorist, hiker or climber by following the course of the water.

We offer three levels and formats of canyons: half-day discovery canyon, full-day adventure canyon and full-day sports canyon. A large majority are from or near Rodellar and it is on these that we focus.

discovery canyoning half day

To give a taste of adventure without the physical and long parameter of certain day canyons. This type of canyon is ideal for discovering the activity with the family. The Petit Mascun canyon is suitable for children from 8 years old. Example of a canyon: Petit Mascun

Canyon du Petit Mascun

Your personal equipment
  • walking shoes (or sneakers)
  • a liter of water
The material provided
  • harness
  • helmet
  • neoprene wetsuits
  • neoprene socks if necessary
  • rope
The Petit Mascun Canyon

This descent corresponds to the last part of the emblematic Mascun canyon, from the gorges above Rodellar to the junction between the Rio Mascun and the Alcanadre. It offers jumps, waterfalls, slides, chaos of blocks and beautiful swimming sections in the characteristic reach of the Alcanadre. Very playful canyon and ideal for a family activity, it is practiced in the spring and until mid-July. Then it is often too dry.

  • Approach walk: 10 min
  • Duration of the course: 3h
  • Return walk: 20 min
Obligations to practice the activity
  • From the age of 8
  • Do not be afraid of water, better to know how to swim (but not mandatory)
  • No minimum technical level
Canyon discovery half day :
€/person
45.00

Next releases: see the booking module or contact us if there are no planned outings.

→ BOOK

canyoning adventure full day

Adapted to the discovery of the activity, these canyons are rather aquatic and playful. By the approaches which are in themselves beautiful hikes and the length of the routes, they already represent a memorable adventure. Example of a canyon: Balces, Barrasil, Peonera

Canyon of Balces, Barrasil and Peonera

Your personal equipment
  • walking shoes (or sneakers)
  • a liter of water and a picnic
The material provided
  • harness
  • helmet
  • neoprene wetsuits
  • neoprene socks if necessary
  • rope
  • backpack
The Canyons of Balces, Barrasil and Peonera

Balces Canyon
One of our favourites! The Balces canyon has become legendary thanks to its magnificent narrowness which will leave you with lasting memories. Located in a more wild and remote valley, the route takes place on the Rio Isuala in the middle of Gorges which are virgin of all human activities. Aquatic and fun, the descent also includes short abseils of about ten meters. You will experience swimming sections surrounded by gigantic walls that leave little passage to the sun's rays. Exiting the canyon is like an unforgettable rebirth.

  • Approach walk: 1h30
  • Duration of the course: 3h
  • Return walk: 30 min

Barrasil Canyon
The Barrasil Canyon is a section of the Rio Alcanadre which can be reached on foot from Rodellar. The approach walk is a real short trip since we go up part of the Rio Mascun, then the dry canyon of the Andrebot before crossing the San Cristobal pass. From there, the breathtaking panorama of the Gorgas Negras is offered to us. The rio sparkles, overlooked by massive cliffs and the Cabezo de Guara. The canyon is wide and open, rather aquatic and presents a succession of chaos and long reaches interspersed with walking sections. If this descent is rather contemplative, you will find there the most beautiful jumps of the Sierra de Guara (up to 11 meters), with the possibility of stretching zip lines that end in the water! 

The canyon ends at Camping del Puente, it is then necessary to go up about twenty minutes on a beautiful path along the Rio Mascun to reach Rodellar.

  • Approach walk: 1h30
  • Duration of the course: 3h
  • Return walk: 20 min

Peonera Canyon
The Peonera Canyon has everything you would expect from canyoning in the Sierra de Guara: clear, turquoise water, confusing boulder chaos, jumps, siphons and beautiful swimming sections. 

You will discover different facets of the landscapes of Guara, from limestone to conglomerate, under the impassive gaze of the vultures that hover above you.

No abseiling in this route, the obstacles are crossed by walking, tobogganing or jumping (never obligatory).

Only downside, it is one of the busiest in the summer season and requires us to organize a shuttle between departure and arrival.

  • Approach walk: 1 hour
  • Duration of the course: 4h
  • Return walk: 30 min
Obligations to practice the activity
  • From 12 years old
  • Do not be afraid of water, better to know how to swim (but not mandatory)
  • Good physical shape
  • No minimum technical level
Adventure canyon full day :
€/person
60.00

Next releases: see the booking module or contact us if there are no planned outings.

→ BOOK

Sports canyoning full day

Long and enduring, these canyons require very good physical condition and are aimed at already experienced practitioners. Example of canyon: Mascun Superior, Otin, Gorges Negras

Mascun, Gorgas Negras and Otin Canyon

Your personal equipment
  • walking shoes (or sneakers)
  • a liter of water and a picnic
The material provided
  • harness
  • helmet
  • neoprene wetsuits
  • neoprene socks if necessary
  • rope
  • backpack
The Canyon of Mascun, Gorgas Negras and Otin

Upper Mascun Canyon
This canyon is the emblem of the Sierra de Guara and probably one of the best known in the world, explored and opened by Pierre Minvielle, Caroline's father, and his team in 1956.

After a long and sumptuous approach walk from Rodellar, we reach an arid plateau which brings us to the start of the canyon. It all starts with a jump (optional) into a big pot: el Saltador de las Lanas. 

Then there are jumps, abseils and swimming areas before reaching a large majestic cave. Darkness and austerity impose themselves on us to admire the work of water for thousands of years. 

But the heart of the Mascun remains the Pozo Negro, a narrowness surrounded by high limestone walls where the water rushes in and the abseils follow one another.

This canyon is practiced from May to mid-July then it dries up.

  • Approach walk: 3h
  • Duration of the canyon: 5h
  • Return walk: 1h30

Gorgas Negras Canyon
This canyon is a myth of endurance and commitment due to its length and not its technicality. It requires a good physical level and above all excellent effort management.

A long but superb approach gives access, from Rodellar, to the plateaus of the Sierra de Guara passing through the Dolmen of Losa Mora then the abandoned village of Nasarre.

The descent takes place in a dark gorge from which the canyon takes its name and where the obstacles are crossed by jumps or rappels. This is followed by long swimming sessions in cool water due to the various influxes, then the landscape opens up and the typical contrasts of the Sierra appear: turquoise water on yellow and gray limestone.

We then reach the Barrasil canyon and finally the El Puente campsite.

  • Approach walk: 3h
  • Duration of the canyon: 7-8h
  • Return walk: 25min

Otin Canyon
This dry canyon, named after the now abandoned village through which you pass during the approach, offers a succession of rappels up to 45 m. It offers us a unique atmosphere and total immersion in a mineral setting with large sculpted limestone walls around us visitors.

It is practiced in July and August (prohibited in the spring to respect nesting).

  • Approach walk: 2h
  • Duration of the canyon: 5h
  • Return walk: 1h30
Obligations to practice the activity
  • From 15 years old
  • Excellent physical condition
  • Already have a good canyoning experience and be comfortable abseiling
Sports canyon full day :
€/person
90.00

Next releases: see the booking module or contact us if there are no planned outings.

→ BOOK

RODELLAR, SIERRA DE GUARA

SERVICES AND PRICES

Canyon discovery half day :
€
45.00

Price per person.

Adventure canyon full day :
€
60.00

Price per person.

Sports canyon full day :
€
90.00

Price per person.

Tailor-made trips and courses

We offer courses from three days to a week, half-days of discovery canyoning and climbing, or even unforgettable nights perched in the middle of a wall.

See the booking calendar

Access the schedule to see all the activities at a glance and book the outing that suits you best.

STAY INFORMED

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Caroline Minvielle

CLIMBING AND CANYONING INSTRUCTOR (DE)

Passionate climber, I officially started climbing at the age of 6. The exterior and the mineral correspond to my ultimate aspirations. The playground is endless and the rock always has new subtleties to submit and puzzles to decode. I practice outdoor climbing in all its forms at a sustained level: from bouldering to multi-pitch in adventure terrain.

On the canyon side, my father, Pierre Minvielle, introduced me to it at a very young age around Rodellar, the place of his finest explorations. He gave me a taste for adventure and discovery and above all passed on his love for the Sierra de Guara.
​
Trained as an engineer, I decided to venture into the world of teaching and the transmission of knowledge by becoming a climbing and canyoning instructor in order to be able to share this passion that drives me and help those who wish to achieve their dreams.

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Maxime Poirier

CLIMBING AND CANYONING INSTRUCTOR (DE)

I grew up far from the mountains, on an island in the middle of the Pacific and if my first ascents were those of coconut trees, I became passionate about climbing when I returned to France. Touch of everything, globetrotter and passionate about outdoor activities on all elements, I became a fan of thrilling sports such as highline, base-jump and canyoning.

For me, the mountains and these activities restore to us this capacity for admiration and wonder that modern existence can so easily evacuate. Live fully the happiness of the moment, the renunciation of living for tomorrow because today is enough.

My meeting with Caro will have finally sealed my destiny, here I am a climber, in love with the Vercors and the Sierra de Guara, ready to share my passion with those who wish.

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