Tenerife: Los Carrizales Water Canyoning Tour

Los Carrizales is not a gentle splash in a stream. It is a full-body mountain adventure, with waterfalls, jumps, rappels, and a 10-meter slide packed into a demanding day. You begin with a safety briefing and a long approach on foot, then work your way through a canyon before climbing back over rough volcanic ground.

I like the choice built into the activity: you can jump from several heights, or use a rope when a drop feels too much. I also like the small groups, limited to eight, and the careful guidance from Peter, with Yuri sometimes helping on the route.

The catch is plain and important: this is extremely athletic. The walk back can feel more like climbing than hiking, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with vertigo, or anyone who wants a relaxed day outdoors.

Key points to know before you book

• The return is the hard part: Expect a steep, strenuous route over volcanic rock after the canyoning.
• You do not have to jump every drop: Rope descents are available if you are nervous.
• The water section is varied: Expect slides, rappels, jumps, waterfalls, and natural pools.
• Peter leads the experience: He gives the safety briefing, explains techniques, and provides the canyoning equipment.
• Small groups matter: The group is limited to eight people, which allows more direct help at each obstacle.
• Pack for a serious exercise day: Bring water, food, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, sports shoes, and sports clothing.

Los Carrizales is Tenerife canyoning with real effort

This experience suits you if you want more than a sightseeing stop. The appeal is not just the scenery or the cool water. You are asked to move through the canyon under your own power, making decisions at each jump and rope section.

The canyoning itself includes several kinds of movement. You may slide down rock, jump into pools, rappel beside waterfalls, scramble over uneven surfaces, and swim in fresh water. That variety keeps the day interesting, but it also means you will use your legs, arms, balance, and grip for hours.

The most striking feature is the choice between a jump and a rope descent. If you are confident, you can leap from different heights into the pools. If your nerve disappears at the edge, Peter can set up the rope so you can climb down instead. That flexibility makes the trip more approachable than a fixed course where every person must take the same drop.

Still, do not mistake flexibility for ease. The route includes a 10-meter slide and multiple jumps or rappels. You need to be comfortable in water and able to handle a substantial amount of exercise.

Meeting Peter beside the Vulcan Walkers Berlingo

The meeting point is at C. Carrizal Bajo, 9, where parking is available next to the road. Look for a Berlingo marked Vulcan Walkers. Peter is identified by his neoprene suit, so the meeting should be straightforward once you reach the starting area.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, and the price also excludes food and drinks. That makes a packed snack and a full bottle of water essential rather than optional.

The group is limited to eight participants. That is a useful size for canyoning. You are not waiting behind a long line of people at every rappel, and the guide can watch how each person handles the rock, rope, and water. Peter guides in English, Hungarian, and Spanish.

The tour costs $157 per person. That is not a budget half-day outing, but the price includes the guide, all canyoning equipment, liability insurance, and accident insurance. For a technical outdoor activity, those inclusions matter. You are paying for instruction and safety management as well as access to the canyon.

The first 30 minutes: safety before the excitement

The day begins with about 30 minutes of safety instruction and equipment preparation at Los Carrizales. This is the part to take seriously. You will receive the gear needed for the canyoning and get ready before setting off.

A good safety briefing should make the later obstacles easier to understand. Peter explains how to handle the equipment and how to approach the jumps, slides, and rappels. You should use this time to mention any concern about heights, swimming, or rope work.

The gear is included, but you still need to bring the right personal items. Pack swimwear, sports clothing, sports shoes, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, food, and water. You should also expect your shoes and clothes to get wet and dirty.

Shoes are not allowed indoors, according to the activity information. That detail may matter when you are changing or handling equipment, so follow Peter’s instructions at the meeting point.

The approach hike takes patience and fitness

Reaching the canyon is part of the experience, not a quick walk from the road. The route includes a long approach, and the full schedule describes several hours of hiking around the canyoning section. The practical advice is simple: save some energy for the return.

The approach gives you time to get used to the terrain and the group. It is also where you find out if your fitness level matches the activity. This is not a tour where you can conserve all your energy for a short water section.

The published timing describes a six-hour activity, while the detailed schedule breaks the day into a 30-minute briefing, hiking periods, and a 30-minute break. The exact balance between walking, canyoning, and rest may vary with the group and conditions. Plan for the whole six hours and treat the hike as a major part of the day.

You need sports shoes with a secure grip. The information does not specify a particular type of shoe, but ordinary footwear that is unsuitable for rough ground would be a poor choice. Bring water and food you can carry comfortably, since neither is supplied.

Waterfalls, slides, and jumps in the canyon

Once you reach the canyoning area, the mood changes. The fresh water provides relief from the effort of the approach, and the natural pools give you places to swim between the more technical sections.

The activity is designed around movement rather than passive viewing. You may jump into pools, rappel down waterfalls, and slide from rock into the water. The largest named feature is a 10-meter slide, which gives you a strong sense of speed before the splash at the bottom.

The jumps come at different heights. That matters because it lets you judge your own comfort level rather than facing one all-or-nothing leap. If you prefer not to jump, the rope offers another way down. I would still expect the guide to assess each person’s ability and the conditions before allowing a descent.

The natural pools are part of the reward. After scrambling and rope work, swimming in cool water feels like a proper reset. You will need to be a competent swimmer, though. The tour is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers, and fear of heights or vertigo can make the route stressful.

Peter’s role makes a real difference

Peter is central to the experience. He leads the tour, supplies the gear, explains the techniques, and stays focused on safety. Several people who took the activity describe him as patient, friendly, professional, and attentive throughout the route.

That matters most when someone reaches a jump and freezes. The rope option means Peter can help you change plans instead of pushing you into a leap. One person who was afraid of jumping found that the guide placed ropes at the sections where they did not want to jump, allowing them to continue while still facing the challenge.

The group may also include Yuri, who has helped lead the route. Both guides have been praised for taking care of the group and keeping the technical sections controlled. A small group of four, including Peter, has also been possible, though the stated maximum is eight.

This is the kind of tour where guiding is not decorative. You need clear instructions, sensible pacing, and someone who knows how to manage nerves. Peter’s role is especially valuable if you are adventurous but not yet comfortable with every rope or height challenge.

The return route is not a casual stroll

The most important practical warning concerns the way back. After the canyoning, you still have to climb out. The return has been described as heavy, steep, and more like climbing than hiking in places.

Expect rough volcanic ground and a sustained physical effort. You may need to scramble, use your hands for balance, and concentrate on where you place your feet. This is why the activity is recommended only for athletic people and why several capable participants still described it as extremely challenging.

Do not schedule this as a lazy final morning before a flight. You may be wet, tired, and ready for a shower when you return. The route back is part of the adventure, but it is also the section most likely to surprise you.

The detailed timing lists a two-hour hiking section after the break, while the overall activity lasts six hours. Since the route description and schedule do not spell out every transition, allow the full morning or afternoon and avoid making tight plans afterward.

Who will get the best value for $157?

You get the best value if you want a guided technical activity and would otherwise need to organize equipment, route planning, and safety support yourself. The price includes the canyoning guide, all canyoning equipment, liability insurance, and accident insurance.

It is less attractive if you mainly want a swim in scenic surroundings. You are paying for a strenuous route, not simply access to a pool. Food, drinks, hotel transport, and personal clothing are extra, so the real cost includes your own transport and supplies.

The small group improves the value. With up to eight people, you should receive more direct instruction than on a large commercial outing. That is useful when you are learning how to rappel or deciding whether to jump.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity gives you some flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are helpful when your Tenerife plans may shift, but the more important decision is whether your body is ready for the route.

Who should book, and who should skip it?

Book this if you are fit, comfortable in water, and eager to test yourself. It is especially suitable for adults and older teenagers who want an active day with real rope work, natural pools, and a hard mountain finish. The minimum age is 14.

You should also be willing to work through a little fear. You do not need to jump every height, but you should be able to handle the setting, the equipment, and the possibility of standing above a pool or waterfall.

Skip it if you have vertigo, a strong fear of heights, back problems, or difficulty swimming. It is also not recommended for pregnant women, people over 65, or anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

The tour is not suitable for children under 14. That age rule, along with the fitness guidance, reflects the actual demands of the route rather than a minor formality.

What to pack for a six-hour canyon day

Keep your packing list practical:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sports clothing
• Secure sports shoes
• Water and food
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a hat

Do not rely on finding refreshments along the route. Food and drinks are not included, and the activity can take six hours with a great deal of effort.

Wear clothing that can handle water, mud, and rock. You will receive canyoning equipment, but you remain responsible for bringing the items that keep you comfortable before and after the wet sections.

Should you book Los Carrizales canyoning?

Book it if you want one of Tenerife’s most demanding active outings and you like the idea of earning your swim through a canyon. The mix of slides, jumps, rappels, waterfalls, and pools is varied, and the rope option gives nervous participants a sensible alternative to jumping.

Do not book it just because the photos of clear pools look appealing. The approach and return are major parts of the day, and the climb back can be the toughest section. If you are fit, accept heights, and want a serious challenge, Peter and the Vulcan Walkers team provide the equipment, instruction, and small-group support to make the $157 price reasonable.

FAQ

How long does the Los Carrizales canyoning tour last?

The advertised duration is six hours. The day includes a 30-minute safety briefing, a long approach and return on foot, a break, and the canyoning sections.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at C. Carrizal Bajo, 9. Parking is available next to the road. Look for a Berlingo marked Vulcan Walkers and a guide wearing a neoprene suit.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The activity is offered in English, Hungarian, and Spanish. Peter is the named guide, and Yuri may also help lead the route.

What equipment is included?

The canyoning equipment is included, along with a canyoning guide and liability and accident insurance. You need to bring your own swimwear, towel, sports shoes, sports clothing, water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.

Is the tour suitable for beginners or people afraid of heights?

You can use a rope instead of jumping at the different drops, which helps if you are nervous. However, the tour is not suitable for people with vertigo or a fear of heights, and it requires strong fitness, swimming ability, and comfort with a demanding return climb.