The Grenoble Water Canyon Trilogy

The different types of canyoning

There are 3 different types of canyoning around Grenoble :

Aquatic canyons, which are defined by the amount of water flowing through them.
This often allows for jumps and slides created by high flows during winter periods.

Vertical canyons are mostly long vertical canyons that can offer waterfalls of over 100 m, ideal for rope handling and teamwork.

Dry canyons, or canyons with little water, are often of less interest because the water has sculpted the walls less.

Grenoble’s water canyons

In the Grenoblethere are many canyons that meet the aquatic criteria, and even some that combine the aquatic and vertical criteria.

Located between the Belledone, Chartreuse and Vercors massifs, Grenoble is an ideal place to discover all kinds of outdoor activities.

Three canyons stand out from the other descents in the area: these are the major canyons, super fun with numerous deep basins allowing jumps and slides.

Le furon (Engins-Sassenage; Vercors)

Just outside Grenoble in the foothills of the Vercors mountains the Furo n canyon offers several versions, for ½ day on the upper or lower section, or for the full day.

In this canyon, you’ll find many jumps in wide pools and some narrower ones, a super zip line, and numerous slides. The Furon canyon also offers passages under boulders, which are never compulsory, but which add a little spice to the descent and awaken your caving soul.

L’infernet (Saint-Egreve; Chartreuse)

The canyon of L’infernet is a grandiose water canyon near Grenoble, located between St Egreve and Quaix en Chartreuse.

Located less than 10 minutes from Grenoble, this canyon can be done in ½ day and immerses you in a unique atmosphere. Numerous jumps and slides are available, and right at the start of the course a 25 m waterfall plunges you into the bowels of the earth, where the water has carved out magnificent, deeply incised gorges. The numerous light effects make for a majestic descent.

Les Ecouges (Saint Gervais en Isère; Vercors)

The Ecouges canyon is undoubtedly the great descent of the Isère, located between Valence and Grenoble and only 1 h 00 from Lyon. This descent in its entirety rivals the great canyons of the Oisans, but with a longer period from early May to mid-September.

This is a long aquatic canyon near Grenoble, with a very steep, technical upper section offering great abseiling thrills, and a lower section
with lots of jumps up to 9 m and large slides.
It’s our favorite descent!