Tenerife: Los Carrizales Water Canyoning Tour

Los Carrizales is not a gentle splash-and-slide outing. It is a full-body mountain challenge with waterfalls, jumps, rappels, and a 10-meter slide, followed by a hard return over rough volcanic ground. Guide Peter leads a group of no more than eight, with ropes available when a jump feels like too much.

I like the small group and the way the activity lets you choose your level of courage. I also like that the water section is only half the story: the hike and climb give you a far closer look at Tenerife’s rugged interior than a standard sightseeing trip. The catch is simple: you need strong fitness, a good grip, and a clear head around heights.

• A true physical challenge: Expect hours of hiking, scrambling, and climbing, not just time in the water.
• Several ways down: Jump, slide, rappel, or use a rope when you prefer a controlled descent.
• Small groups: Up to eight participants keeps instructions and safety checks personal.
• Natural swimming pools: The canyon’s fresh water gives you a welcome cool-down between active sections.
• A demanding return: The way back can feel more like climbing over volcanic rock than ordinary hiking.
• A guide who adapts: Peter has used ropes to help nervous participants avoid jumps while still taking part.

Los Carrizales Is Built for Adrenaline

This canyoning trip takes you into Los Carrizales, where the route combines water obstacles with steep, rough terrain. You move through the canyon by jumping into pools, rappelling down waterfalls, and sliding over smooth rock.

The attraction is not one giant stunt. It is the sequence. You may start with a smaller jump, then face a higher one, then move to a rope descent or a slide. That steady increase gives you room to test your nerve rather than being thrown straight into the biggest challenge.

You do not have to jump every time. If you feel uneasy, the guide can set up a rope so you can climb down in a more controlled way. This matters because the best canyoning day is not the one where you ignore your limits. It is the one where you stretch them without losing your sense of control.

The fresh water and natural pools are a practical pleasure as well as part of the fun. After a hot, active section, swimming offers a brief reset before the next obstacle. Bring swimwear, a towel, water, food, and sun protection. The tour does not include food or drinks.

Meeting Peter and Preparing for the Canyon

You meet at C. Carrizal Bajo, 9. Parking is available beside the road, and you should look for a Berlingo marked Vulcan Walkers. Peter is described as wearing a neoprene suit, which should make him easier to identify at the meeting point.

The tour begins with about 30 minutes of safety instruction and equipment preparation. This is not filler. You need to understand how to use the rope, how to approach a jump, and how to move safely through wet rock before the route becomes serious.

All canyoning equipment is included, along with liability and accident insurance. You still need to arrive with suitable sports shoes and sportswear. The supplied information does not promise hotel pickup, so you must arrange your own way to the starting point.

The group limit of eight is a useful detail. Canyoning can become slow and confusing when too many people crowd a narrow section. A small party gives Peter more time to watch each person, explain techniques, and set up a rope for anyone who is nervous.

Instruction is available in English, Hungarian, and Spanish. That language range is especially useful during a technical activity where clear directions matter.

The Two-Hour Approach and the Real Work Before the Water

The route to the canyon is not a quick walk from the road. The experience includes a substantial approach on foot, described as about two hours in the highlights. The schedule also lists a longer hiking block, so I would allow plenty of time and confirm the exact timing when you book.

This approach is part of the price you pay for reaching a less conventional canyoning setting. You are not being delivered to an artificial adventure park. You walk into the area under your own power, then later climb out under your own power.

That makes the activity more satisfying for fit participants, but it also filters out anyone looking for a relaxed holiday excursion. Several people who enjoyed the tour most strongly described it as extremely athletic. The route demands stamina before the first major water obstacle appears.

Wear sports shoes with a secure grip. The information does not specify a particular shoe type, but ordinary casual footwear would be a poor choice for wet rock and a rough return. Pack light, since you will carry what you bring through a demanding route.

Jumps, Rappels, Slides, and Clear Pools

Once you reach the canyoning area, the main event begins. You can expect jumps from several heights, rappels down waterfalls, slides, and swims through natural pools.

The jumps provide the biggest rush, but they are not the only test. Rappelling asks you to trust the rope and follow technique. Sliding from around 10 meters gives you the thrill of speed before you hit the water. Each activity feels different, which keeps the route from becoming repetitive.

You can use the rope instead of jumping if you are uncomfortable. That option is important, but it does not turn the day into an easy outing. You still need to manage the hike, wet surfaces, body weight on the rope, and the return climb.

The clear water is one of the strongest rewards. It gives the canyon a refreshing rhythm: exertion, a cold swim, another technical section, then another chance to pause. You should be comfortable in water, since the activity includes jumps and swimming in natural pools. Non-swimmers should not book.

The route also asks you to be comfortable with heights. If you have vertigo or a serious fear of heights, this is not the right place to try to force yourself through it. A mild case of nerves can be managed with the guide and rope system. Vertigo is specifically listed as a reason not to take part.

The Return Is Often Harder Than the Way In

The most important practical warning concerns the return. The walk back is not simply a flat stroll to the vehicle. It includes a strong ascent over rough volcanic terrain, and some people describe it as more like climbing than hiking.

I would save energy for this part. The water section may feel like the main attraction, but the return can be the hardest physical demand of the day. Your arms, legs, and grip may already be tired from rappelling, scrambling, and swimming.

This is also where the tour differs from many short canyoning sessions. You are not finished when you leave the last pool. You still have to get back to C. Carrizal Bajo, return the equipment, and complete the route safely.

The schedule supplied for the activity lists 30 minutes for the safety briefing, four hours of hiking, a 30-minute break, and two more hours of hiking. That adds up to seven hours, while the advertised duration is six hours. Timing can vary with the group and conditions, but I would ask for the current schedule and plan for a long day rather than relying on the shortest figure.

What the $157 Price Includes

At $157 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on what you want from Tenerife.

You are paying for a guide, canyoning equipment, and liability and accident insurance. You also get a small group, a technical route, and a full day of physical activity rather than a short supervised jump into water.

For someone who wants a serious outdoor challenge, the price can make sense. The guide’s role is central. Peter is praised for careful safety work, patient coaching, and helping people use ropes when they did not want to jump. One particularly useful extra mentioned by a participant is a free video made after the day, although you should confirm whether that is still part of the service.

The value is weaker if you mainly want scenery, a brief swim, or a family activity. You must pay separately for food, drinks, and transport to the meeting point. You also need to supply your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and suitable shoes.

The free cancellation window of up to 24 hours and the reserve-now, pay-later option reduce some booking risk. Still, the bigger decision is physical. A flexible payment policy cannot make a demanding canyon easier.

Who Should Book This Canyoning Tour

I would recommend Los Carrizales to fit adults and older teenagers who enjoy hard outdoor activities and want more than a marked walking trail. The minimum age is 14, but age alone is not enough. You need stamina, balance, a strong grip, and confidence around heights.

It suits you if you like:

• A small group rather than a large coach excursion
• A mix of swimming, rope work, climbing, and hiking
• A guide who can offer alternatives to jumps
• Natural pools and waterfalls instead of a built adventure course
• A challenge that leaves you tired at the end of the day

It does not suit you if you are looking for a gentle introduction to canyoning. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, non-swimmers, people with vertigo, or anyone over 65. There is also a weight limit of 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

Children under 14 cannot take part. The activity is also a poor match for anyone who dislikes heights, even if they are generally fit.

What to Pack for a Six-Hour Mountain Day

Pack more carefully than you would for a normal sightseeing trip. You need swimwear, a towel, sports shoes, sportswear, water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Food matters because the tour lasts much of the day and the included services do not cover meals. Choose something practical and easy to carry. You should also bring enough water for a long period of exercise.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Shoes are not allowed indoors, although the provided information does not identify a separate indoor area, so follow the guide’s instructions on the day.

Your clothing will get wet, and the route will put it through a lot of movement. Choose items that allow you to climb, scramble, and swim comfortably. The equipment for canyoning is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own ropes or technical gear.

A Serious Adventure With Good Safety Support

The strongest feature of this experience is the balance between genuine difficulty and guide support. Peter is repeatedly praised for professionalism, patience, and attention to safety. Participants describe feeling looked after even when the route made them nervous.

That does not mean the guide removes the risk or effort. You still jump, rappel, swim, and climb. His job is to explain the technique, monitor the group, and give you a safer option when a particular jump is beyond your comfort level.

This distinction matters. You should not book expecting the guide to carry you through the hard parts. You should book because you want to attempt them with instruction and equipment.

The small group also helps. With no more than eight people, the pace can remain personal, though technical activities naturally take time when everyone reaches a jump or rappel point.

Should You Book Los Carrizales?

Book this tour if you want Tenerife with effort attached. You will get waterfalls, natural pools, rope work, jumps, and a demanding route through rugged terrain. The guide support and small group make it a strong choice for fit people who want to challenge themselves.

Do not book it as a casual holiday filler. The long approach, strenuous canyoning, and steep return are the heart of the experience, not minor details. If you are uncertain, the key question is not whether you like swimming. Ask yourself if you can handle several hours of exercise, heights, scrambling, and a climb back over volcanic rock.

For the right person, $157 buys a memorable and unusually active day. For anyone seeking an easy swim and a few gentle thrills, choose a softer Tenerife outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the Los Carrizales canyoning tour last?

The advertised duration is six hours. The detailed schedule includes a 30-minute safety briefing, hiking sections, and a 30-minute break, with the listed times adding up to seven hours. Confirm the exact current timing when booking.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at C. Carrizal Bajo, 9. Parking is available beside the road.

How do I identify the guide?

Look for a Berlingo marked Vulcan Walkers. The guide is Peter, and he is described as wearing a neoprene suit.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to and from the meeting point.

What languages does the guide speak?

Instruction is available in English, Hungarian, and Spanish.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

What equipment is included?

The canyoning guide provides all canyoning equipment. Liability and accident insurance are also included.

Do I have to jump from every height?

No. You can use a rope to climb down if you feel uncomfortable with a particular jump.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, food, sunscreen, water, sports shoes, and sportswear.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 14, pregnant women, people with back problems, people afraid of heights, people with vertigo, non-swimmers, people over 65, or anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.