Forcos Canyon in Bergua: turquoise pools, natural slides and abseils in Ordesa

You kit up in Bergua and, before entering the water, you already know how to descend an abseil. The guide explains it on land, at a relaxed pace, so that by the time you start you know exactly what to do.

Within minutes you are inside the canyon. The first turquoise pool sets the rhythm: clean water, polished rock and the first natural slide that carries you effortlessly. The route is progressive. You start learning and finish descending with confidence.

  • Beginner level: no prior experience, suitable from 10 years with an adult
  • 3h30 in the water: pools, natural slides and progressive abseils
  • Sobrarbe Natural Park close to Ordesa National Park

📍 Meeting point: Camping El Jabalí Blanco, 22374 Bergua, Huesca, Spain – View on map

The Forcos Canyon activity, Bergua

The starting point is Bergua. Here you receive the full kit: wetsuit, helmet, harness and descender. Before entering the canyon, the guide shows you how an abseil works and how to position your body. It is not theory — just enough so that everything makes sense once you are in the water.

The Forcos combines short abseils at the start with more dynamic sections as you progress. The natural slides appear in the central part of the route: you sit, let go and the water does the rest. The final descents are higher, but you arrive with safety and control.

The pools are what defines the Forcos visually. The water is deep turquoise, framed by rock walls that shift from grey to ochre to orange with the light. The bottom is visible from the surface. Between abseils, the silence of the canyon is broken only by water.

After 3h30 in the water, you leave the canyon with a complete experience: you have enjoyed it, learnt from it and know you could do it again.

What the experience feels like

Families: the natural slides require no technique — just sit and let go. The abseils are explained by the instructor before each one. From 10 years with a responsible adult.

Couples: three and a half hours inside a canyon with turquoise water, no one else but the group and the instructor. The Forcos is the canyoning trip that turns an Ordesa escape into something you both remember for ever.

Groups of friends: slides that trigger themselves, individual abseils and a final pool where everyone finishes together. The Forcos works just as well with four as with eight: the instructor adjusts the pace and the canyon meets the level of any group.

What is included in the RocRoi experience?

  • Full wetsuit, approved helmet, harness and descender
  • Specialist canyoning dry bag and collective technical equipment
  • First-aid kit
  • Licensed instructor
  • Accident insurance
  • Civil liability insurance
  • Cancellation Policy: Up to 5 days before: full refund. Up to 48 hours before: change of date or «ADVENTURE voucher».

What to bring – Forcos Canyon

For your comfort and safety, we recommend bringing:

  • Swimwear
  • Sports footwear with a good sole that can get wet
  • Towel
  • Dry change of clothes and footwear
  • Water, sandwich and snack (5 hours total activity)

Practical details – Forcos Canyon Ordesa

The instructor explains each abseil on land before it is performed in the water. No prior canyoning or abseiling experience is required. The Forcos is designed so that first-timers leave with the basic technique learnt.

  • Minimum age: 10 years with a responsible adult / 18 years unaccompanied.
  • Total duration: 5 hours (3 hours 30 minutes in the water).
  • Fitness: swimming ability is required; normal mobility; stamina for moderate half-day activity.
  • Limitations: not recommended for pregnant women, people with serious cardiac conditions, severe mobility issues in shoulders or knees; inform the instructor of any limitation before starting.
  • Attitude: listen to the instructor's briefing, let go on the slides and get properly wet.

FAQs

Is the Forcos Canyon suitable for families with children from 10 years?

Yes. It is one of the most family-friendly canyons in the Aragonese Pyrenees. The natural slides work on their own — you just sit down — and the abseils are explained by the instructor before each descent. The technical difficulty is low and the open character of the canyon means children do not feel enclosed.

How many abseils does the Forcos Canyon have and how high are they?

The Forcos has between seven and nine abseils depending on conditions on the day. Heights range from two to fifteen metres. The first are short and direct so the group learns the technique; the last are longer and have somewhat more drop.

What distinguishes the Forcos Canyon from the Furco Canyon, both being beginner level?

The Furco lasts 3 hours and runs through a shaded forest environment close to Broto. The Forcos lasts 5 hours in total, is more open and sunny, has more abseils and the turquoise pools are the main visual feature. The Furco is the ideal first canyon for those wanting something short; the Forcos is the most complete beginner descent in Ordesa.

Can you eat during the descent?

There is no structured lunch break inside the canyon, but the instructor manages stops in lower-flow sections for the group to rest. A sandwich and snacks are recommended. The total activity lasts 5 hours and keeping your energy up during the descent makes a real difference on the final abseils.

Is the activity cancelled if it rains?

The activity is technically compatible with light rain. What determines cancellation is the canyon's water level, not rain at the meeting point. The instructor checks canyon conditions before departure and makes the decision to proceed or reschedule.