Canyoning in the Alps: Routes in Northern Italy and Ticino, Austria, Slovenia and the Valais Alps

The Alps are among the world's top canyoning destinations.

Practical guide

When to go?

In general, the summer months (mid-July to mid-September) are the best time for canyoning in the Alps and Ticino.

Cities & Services

Domodossola (Val d'Ossola); Bellinzona, Biasca, Maggia (Ticino); Colico and the northern shore of the lake (Lake Como); Belluno (Belluno and Friuli Dolomites); Tolmezzo (Carnia and Julian Alps).

Not to be missed

• The magnificent granite-gneiss water gorges of northwest Italy and Ticino, including Rasiga, Lodrino and Val Bodegno.
• Classic limestone canyons of the Dolomites and northeastern Italy, including Grigno, Val Zemola and Rio Simon.

Canyons

Divided into five zones, the featured descents represent a wide variety of terrains, rocks and canyoning styles. From the most famous descents in the alpine regions of Northern Italy and Ticino in Switzerland, including classic limestone canyons and magnificent granite and gneiss water sculptures, to nearby routes in Austria, Slovenia and the Valais Alps.

• Val d'Ossola // Massaschluct / Gondo / Rasiga Superiore / Rasiga Inferiore / Variola Superiore / Mondelli 2 / Mondelli 1 / Mondelli 3 / Bianca / Segnara / Toce / Rio d'Alba / Antolina / Isorno Finale / Antoliva / Ogliana di Quarata / Menta Inferiore / Ogliana di Beura - Parte Finale / Marona / Marona /

• Ticino // Serenello / Bignasco / Sponde / Giumaglio / Salto / Val di Gei Inferiore / Val Grande Inferiore / Loco Inferiore / Ticinetto Inferiore / Barougia / Malvaglia Inferiore / Combra / Pontirone Superiore / Pontirone Inferiore / Iragna Superiore / Iragna Inferiore / Lodrino Intermedio / Lodrino Inferiore / Osogna Intermedio / Osogna Superiore / Osogna Inferiore Pontirone Inferiore / Iragna Superiore / Iragna Inferiore / Lodrino Intermedio / Lodrino Inferiore / Osogna Intermedio / Osogna Superiore / Osogna Inferiore / Cresciano Superiore / Cresciano Inferiore / Cresciano Inferiore /

• Lake Como // Bodengo 2 / Bodengo 1 / Bodengo 3 / Pilotera / Mengasca / Casenda / Bares / Borgo / Perlana Inferiore / Bondasca / Drögh Grand / Lesina / Ferro / Cormor / Valle di Scerscen / Val Brutta / Esino Inferiore / Boazzo /

• Belluno and Friuli Dolomites // Grigno / La Soffia / Forti / Pisson / Clusa Superiore / Clusa Inferiore / Clusa Inferiore / Mus Inferiore / Mus Superiore / Fogarè Superiore / Fogarè Inferiore / Maor / Maggiore / Tovanella / Zemola / Pezzeda / Ciorosolin / Torrente Chiadola / Ciolesan / Alba-Molassa /

• Carnia and the Julian Alps // Lower Rötenbach / Upper Rötenbach / Frauenbach / Novarza / Lumiei / Rio Negro / Viellia / Picchionis / Chiantione / La Foce Inferiore / Cosa / Leale Inferiore / Lavarie / Tralba Inferiore / Alba / Simon Inferiore / Simon Superiore / Cuestis / Rio Nero Superiore / Rio Nero Inferiore / Brussine / Mlinarica /