“Climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities
should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement” British Mountain Council
Copyright © Victor Warth 2004-2009 All rights reserved. www.costablancamountainfriends.com
Canyoning Routes Spain
Barranco del Infierno. A series of abseils and traverses. Twelve abseils
ranging from 5 to 10 metres with several 2 metre free drops, three short
slippery scrambles and two traverses of 8 and 20 metres. Avoid using the iron
steps at the final pitch when wet.
Our gear includes 2 x 20 metre static ropes, 120 cm slings, 2 x quickdraws,
krabs, helmets, harnesses, belay devices and boots or approach shoes.
Easy abseils. Duration 5hrs for six people. Length of Barranco 1km.
Barranc del Sant. An abseil of 9 pitches totaling 90 metres ranging from
5 to 24 metres plus some scrambling down. Similar to the Barranco del Infierno
but normally wet at the exit. No traversing involved but a short via ferrata is
sited at the 13 metre pitch for security so a couple of quickdraws are useful
while waiting your turn. The final pitch leads into the Barranc de Mela which is
normally wet.
Park 1. 30S 0738987 4287560 Park 2. 30S 0738700 4286645
Easy abseils.
Duration 3hrs for four people. Length of Barranco 300m.
Barranc Pas Tancat. A series of abseils totalling 82 metres ranging from
6 to 30 metres. The first pitches of 11 and 30 metres are best tackled as one
41 metre abseil to avoid re belaying on a slope. The previous poor anchor
point has now been replaced with bolts and chain. Normally dry.
No traversing involved.
Park 30S 0749886 4286961 Start 30S 0750306 4287496
Moderate abseils.
Duration 2hrs for four people. Length of Barranc 300m.
Serra del Montgó. A single abseil of 80 metres from the top of the “eye” of
this Mountain. Our gear includes 2 x 80 metre static ropes, a separate 80 metre
top rope and a 20 metre static rope for constructing a bomb proof cordette with
two apposing crabs. Do not be tempted to use the existing old cordette!
When attempting this difficult abseil bear in mind the total weight of the ropes
when lowering off the “eyebrow” which can be up to 12 kilos.
A challenging abseil.
Duration 3.5hrs for three people including walk back to car.
Pas dels Bandolers. Abseils of 12, 26, 10, 29 and 44 metres.
The first 4 pitches are well bolted with chains. The 29 metre belay point is on
a small restricted slope which is sometimes wet and slippery. On this pitch the
ropes will get tangled in the vegetation so the leader will need a shunt or prusik
to clear them. The 46m pitch is on a ledge and the only anchor is a small but
strong tree. We use the tree and not the old slings. Our gear includes 3 x 50m
static ropes and all the the usual accessories. No traversing involved.
Normally dry. Difficult abseils.
Duration 6 hrs for three people including walk-in walk-out time.
Serra de Bérnia. Traversing the Bernia East Ridge and descending via the main col.
The longest abseil is 20 metres to safe ground. The abseils are intermingled
with numerous grades 2 and 3 exposed scrambles and a grade 4+ climb on a rock fin.
The route is marked with red paint dots but they are becoming very faded in places.
Our gear includes 2 x 30 metre ropes plus 10 quickdraws and slings.
The abseils, traverse and climb are all bolted.
Duration 7 hrs for four people. Distance 6km.
Segária East. Another abseil but with exposed scrambling.
Our route starts at the far east end of the mountain overlooking the motorway.
Once on the initial ridge the abseil point is within 300m just after the doughnut rock.
A secure abseil anchor was installed in 2007.
The abseil pitch is 22 metres to a narrow col and from there we recommence our
scramble to the far east flag post.
Descent can be via the main col or via a small barranco on the north face..
22m abseil and strenuous grade 4 scramble. Climbing gear recommended.
Duration 5 ½ hrs for four people. Distance 6km.
Mascarat Bridge. Barranco Salido. An abseil of 50 metres from the disused
stone bridge on the N332 at Calpe. The anchorage consists of glued in bolts
with rings but launching ourselves from the parapet proved harder than originally
thought due to the weight of the 10mm static ropes and high winds.
Our exit from the barranco is an easy scramble to the Calpe Castle. From there
we hike along the Toix cliffs above the sea caves and then make a strenuous
scramble to the summit track. Our return is via Toix TV and Toix Placa.
50m abseil and grade 2 scramble. Duration 5hrs. Distance 6km.
Barranc de l’Estret de les Penyes. Located at Algar this canyon is normally
wet all year. The approach is from the Riu Bolluda and involves pitches of
8m, 3m and 25m. During our descent in late April the water flow was moderate
with pools up to 2 metres or more deep. The best exit from the final pool is
through the cane wooded area and then follow the stream through the Nispero
Groves and not the knotted rope at the side of the pool.
An easy route. Duration 0.5hrs for two people.
Barranquet de Soler. A semi-dry canyon located on the outskirts of Alcoi with
a superb exit overlooking the town. A series of pitches ranging from 5m to 25m
terminate at the side of a Primary school. One pitch requires the setting up of a
traverse line when the deep pot hole is full of water. The final pitch can be by
abseil or Tyrolean cable. Two car shuttle necessary.
A moderate route. Duration 1.5hrs for two people.
Barranc de les Raboses. A semi-dry canyon located on the outskirts of Ibi.
There are numerous short pitches and the longest is about 8m.
Some can be scrambled down and others provide a via ferrata traverse.
Our descent was in April and there was very little water but some small pot
holes could fill up in the winter. Even then, wet suites should not be necessary.
An easy route. Duration 45 minutes for two people.
La Corda. A single pitch abseil of 42m off the sea cliffs at Moraira.
Approached from the El Portet to Punta de Moraira path the abseil offers
stunning views of the cliffs and sea. Some form of rope protection is advisable because of the sharp sea cliff rocks.
Duration 25 minutes from start and return to top anchor.
Barranc de Frainos. A semi-dry canyon located near Alcoleja at the western
end of Serra d’Aitana and the Riu Frainos. There are 7 pitches ranging from
6m to 46m.
A two car shuttle is necessary.
Duration 3.5 hours for two people including car shuttle time.
Barranc de Mela. A wet canyon during November and April depending on
rain fall. Located in the village of Abdet. There are numerous small pitches
and several can be passed without rope when the pozas are full.
When dry the longest pitch is about 12 metres.
A two car shuttle is necessary. One at the head and one at the depuradora.
Duration 3 hours for 4 people including car shuttle time.
All heights, distances, equipment and other information listed on this page are provided
in good faith as experienced by the author but may include errors. Only trained and
experienced climbers should attempt these abseil routes and the information should
be verified before commencing the activity in case of errors, route modifications or geological changes. Abseil at your own risk!
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Copyright © 2004-2009 Victor Warth. All rights reserved.
