Family Canyoning on the River Navedo — Beginner Level in the Desfiladero de La Hermida
Some canyons are designed to raise your level and some are designed to get you hooked on canyoning. The Navedo Middle Section is the latter: abseils assisted by the guide, natural slides and always-optional jumps in the Desfiladero de La Hermida.
The balance between real adventure and the safety any first time with children from age six demands, inside Spain's longest gorge.
- Level 2 — Beginner · from age 6 with an accompanying adult
- Assisted abseils · always-optional jumps
- Return transport included · full insurance
📍 Meeting point: Bo. la Tejera, 4, 39560 Unquera, Cantabria, Spain – View on map
The Family Canyoning experience on the River Navedo
The Navedo Middle Section is the gateway to canyoning in the Picos de Europa for families and groups with no experience. The canyon has short abseils always assisted by the guide, natural slides and jumps into crystal-clear pools — the balance between real adventure and the safety any first time with children from age six demands.
The activity starts at the activity centre in Unquera. The qualified guide hands out the gear — full wetsuit, helmet, harness and neoprene shoes — and delivers a calm, child-oriented briefing covering the basic moves and the keyword of the descent: 'optional'. Every jump, every slide, is decided by the participant with the guide's assistance.
The descent follows the middle section of the Navedo, in the heart of the Desfiladero de La Hermida — Spain's longest gorge, 21 kilometres of grey limestone. The abseils are short and assisted, the natural slides come one after another and the jumps into pools always have a bank alternative. Limestone walls, Atlantic forest hanging over the canyon and the silence of the Eastern Massif of Ándara complete the scenery. The children set the pace. The parents discover a canyon they can do together.
And the ending isn't vertical. It is the last pool, the last slide, the last optional jump. And the look on the child's face when they realise they have descended an entire canyon in the Picos de Europa with their parents a metre away.
What the experience feels like
Families: family canyoning accessible from age six in the Desfiladero de La Hermida. Assisted abseils, natural slides and the feeling of real adventure in a canyon descended at the pace of the youngest in the group.
Groups of friends: a brilliant canyoning plan for groups with no experience. The Navedo Middle Section levels the playing field — beginners and veterans share optional jumps and assisted abseils in one of the most spectacular gorges in northern Spain.
What is included in the RocRoi experience?
- Full technical gear (full wetsuit, helmet, harness, neoprene shoes)
- Qualified canyoning guide
- Transport from the meeting point and return to base
- Free parking
- Accident insurance
- Civil liability insurance
- Cancellation Policy: Up to 5 days before: full refund. Up to 48 hours before: date change or ADVENTURE voucher.
What to bring
For your comfort and safety, we recommend bringing:
- Swimsuit
- Closed-toe sports shoes with good grip
- Rash guard or thermal top to wear under the wetsuit
- Towel and dry change of clothes
Practical details
A beginner canyoning descent on the River Navedo, inside the Desfiladero de La Hermida. Designed for families with children from age 6 and groups with no experience: all obstacles are avoidable and the pace is set by the youngest participant. For technical descents with abseils under waterfalls we recommend the Navedo Technical (Level 3, from age 12).
- Minimum age unaccompanied: 18
- Minimum age with an accompanying adult: 6
- Total duration: 3 hours (gear, briefing, transport and descent)
- Actual time in the canyon: 2 hours
- Best season: May to September
- Fitness: normal. Swimming ability is compulsory. Not suitable for pregnant women or vertigo.
- Attitude: a day to discover canyoning as a family, with all jumps optional and abseils always assisted by the guide.
Book the Navedo Family — canyoning with the family in the heart of the Picos de Europa.
FAQs
Is it safe for children from age 6?
Yes. The Navedo Middle Section has been chosen for its low technical difficulty: short abseils always assisted, always-optional jumps and all obstacles avoidable. The qualified guide adapts the pace to the youngest participant and teaches the basics before entering the canyon.
Are there abseils?
Yes, but short and always assisted. The guide controls the abseil from above and accompanies each participant. No previous experience is needed: the basic technique is explained in the briefing and practised safely before the first obstacle.
What is the difference between the Navedo Middle Section and the Navedo Technical?
The Middle Section is Level 2 (Beginner), with short assisted abseils and from age 6 with an accompanying adult. The Technical is Level 3 (Adventure), with abseils under waterfalls up to 20 m and from age 12 with an accompanying adult. Same canyon in the Desfiladero de La Hermida, different technical commitment.
Will they get cold in the water?
No. The full wetsuit, helmet and neoprene shoes maintain body temperature even in cool water. We also recommend a rash guard or thermal top under the wetsuit and a dry change of clothes for afterwards.
What if the river conditions aren't right?
Our team assesses the Navedo flow daily. If river or weather conditions are not suitable, we offer a free date change or a full refund. The children's safety always comes first.