Río Verde Canyoning

About Río Verde Canyoning

The Río Verde rises in the eastern Parque Natural Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama and cuts a canyon of pale marble and limestone before flowing down to Almuñécar. Clear water and natural slides make it the most popular canyoning (barranquismo) descent in Granada province. Since a 2021 Junta de Andalucía resolution, walking inside watercourses is banned in the Granada side of the park, except on the authorised stretch of the Barranco de los Chortales on the Río Verde, between the Sendero del Río Verde crossing and the Junta de los Ríos.

Groups park on the A-4050 Otívar–Jayena road and walk down the signed Sendero del Río Verde to where it crosses the river. The descent covers about 4 km and takes three to four hours, with natural water slides, optional jumps, short swims, the odd abseil and walking on the river bed between sheer walls.

Every group needs prior authorisation from the Junta's office in Granada, so almost all visitors go with a licensed operator that holds the permit. Base Camp Spain charges from €45 per person in a group of six to €90 for two (2026), including guide, wetsuit, helmet, harness, insurance, transport and a picnic; minimum age 14. The season runs from May to October. Never enter the canyon after storms or heavy rain, when the water can rise suddenly.

June to September has the warmest water. Bring swimwear, closed shoes that can get wet, a towel and dry clothes, and book early for August.

Río Verde Canyoning in pictures

What you’ll find

• CanyoningCanyoning descent (€45–€90)Book
• Guided activityGuide or instructor (€45–€90)Book
• HikingWalking routeFree
• Permit requiredAccess permitBook
• Swimming spotRiver or sea swimFree
• ViewpointScenic viewpointFree

Nearby places to visit

The river runs down to the beaches of Almuñécar: Playa La Herradura and Playa de Calaiza are both 14 km south, and the protected coast of Kayaking in La Herradura Bay (13 km) makes a good second day on the water. Across the provincial border, Kayaking at Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs launches from Nerja, 16 km to the south-west, and the Nerja Caves are 14 km away, while climbers can head 19 km east to Los Vados Climbing in the limestone gorge of the Guadalfeo, a year-round crag near Motril.