Canyoning in Gran Canaria is pure action. In the Cernícalos canyon, you follow the water course down a ravine with a mix of walking, jumps, climbs, swimming, and rappelling, then you hike back up. It’s an outdoor day that feels like a controlled adrenaline course, with pickup and a small group that keeps the coaching personal.

I love the safety setup: wetsuit, helmet, harness, descender, and personal protective gear, plus insurance and a professional guide. I also like that the day doesn’t end when you climb out—there’s a picnic (fruit, chocolate, nuts, cookies, and water) and a picture report you’ll want to keep.

One consideration: depending on the season, you may get less water in the canyon, which can change how splashy the experience feels. And you’ll definitely want proper grip shoes, because the essential gear listed doesn’t include footwear.

Key things I’d pay attention to

• Small-group size (max 10) so you’re not stuck waiting around.
• Rappelling and steep drops with harness, helmet, and a guide who teaches step-by-step.
• The day includes the climb back up, so plan for real hiking effort, not just going down.
• Picnic plus a photo report so you can snack and remember the moments.
• Guides like Miguel and Victor are known for keeping things calm and fun.
• If canyoning isn’t allowed, you might switch to coastering when conditions are dry and regulations kick in.

Entering the day: Decathlon Telde and the 9:30 rhythm

This excursion is built around a straightforward morning flow. You start at Decathlon TeldeGC-1 (35213 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria). The listed start time is 9:30 am, and pickup happens around 9:00 am in a white van, with guides wearing green t-shirts.

Why that timing matters: canyon time depends on light, weather, and trail access. The more punctual you are, the more time you get inside the canyon and less time spent figuring out where everyone is. One practical tip from real-world experience: double-check any welcome message you get, because pickup timing isn’t always identical to what appears on a ticket.

Also note the structure: it’s a small-group tour with a cap of 10 travelers. That size is a big deal in canyoning, where spacing, gear checks, and turn-taking all affect how smoothly the day runs. And yes, it’s offered with mobile tickets, so bring your phone charged.

Gear and briefing: what’s provided, and what you must bring

The core safety and comfort kit is included:

• wetsuit
• helmet
• harness and personal protective equipment
• descender
• neoprene shocks
• bottled water
• insurances

This is more than “nice to have.” Wetsuit + helmet + harness means you can focus on movement—grip, balance, and listening—without worrying about getting cold or scrambling without protection.

Where people sometimes get caught: footwear. Shoes aren’t listed as included, and in the real world, your shoes will get wet. If you wear something with weak traction, you’ll feel it on the scramble back up and on slippery rock sections. Bring off-road trainers or water-friendly shoes with solid grip. Save your fashion sneakers for dinner.

And you’re not just thrown in. You’ll get an organized briefing and guided steps through each obstacle—walking sections, jumps, and especially the rappelling. Guides like Miguel (and also Victor, in some groups) are repeatedly described as calm, professional, and patient—exactly what you want when the canyon turns steep.

Down Cernícalos: the mix of movement you’ll actually feel

Canyoning here means descending a ravine by following the water course. That sounds simple until you realize the day is a blend of different skills working together.

Expect a sequence that can include:

• walking through narrow or uneven sections
• jumps (more than a hop, enough to require focus)
• climbing where handholds matter
• periods that can include swimming
• and rappelling (abseiling) down drops

The best part is that it doesn’t feel like one repeated action. It’s a circuit of movement. You’re always doing something—step, grip, adjust, breathe—rather than just waiting for your turn.

One detail I really like: this canyoning route often includes multiple rappels. In one described experience, the group faced five abseils, including a drop around 18 meters. Your exact sequence can vary with conditions, but the takeaway is clear: you should plan for more than one “big moment.”

Also, in dry times, the canyon can feel different. One group had canyoning restricted by government rules due to warm weather and fire prevention, and the team substituted coastering instead. That’s a reminder that you’re booking an experience, not a guarantee of a specific water volume. Nature controls the volume; the guide controls the safety and flow.

Rappelling: safety first, but you still get the adrenaline

Rappelling is where first-timers often tighten up mentally. It’s also where a strong guide makes or breaks the day.

In this experience, you’re set up with:

• harness
• helmet
• descender and carabiner-style safety gear

Then you get coached through each rappel. The guides are known for staying calm, explaining what to do, and letting you build confidence in steps. In one case, a rider who was battling fear of heights managed to complete a very high abseil thanks to patient guidance and a steady, friendly pace.

That tells you something useful for planning your own mindset:

• Listen carefully in the briefing.
• When it’s your turn, keep your focus on the next step, not the whole drop.
• Don’t rush your breathing.

You’ll still feel the height. That’s part of the fun. But you should never feel abandoned in it.

The hike back up: don’t underestimate the return trail

Going down is only half the story. In this canyoning experience, you also hike back up to reach the meeting point.

Here’s the honest expectation: the return route can include steep sections and scrambling effort. One person described it as a challenging climb, but manageable for someone in their 50s who wasn’t in peak shape. Another tip that keeps showing up: your shoes make a difference. Off-road trainers helped during the trek back.

So ask yourself one question before booking:

Do you feel comfortable doing a steep, uneven hike after a wet and adrenaline-filled morning?

If your answer is yes, canyoning will feel like a complete adventure loop. If your answer is no, you might still enjoy parts of the day, but you could end up grumpy by the time you’re climbing out—especially if it’s hot or the ground is dry and dusty.

The picnic: what you get, and how to set your expectations

After you finish the canyon activities and get your bearings, you’ll have a picnic lunch. It’s not fancy restaurant food, but it’s a solid recovery setup:

• fruit
• chocolate
• nuts
• cookies
• water

Bottled water is also included.

The value angle: you’re not paying extra to refuel after being in a wetsuit, moving for hours, and burning energy. That matters in Gran Canaria, where food can add up quickly once you’re off the main tourist strips.

One caution on expectations: the term picnic can mean different things to different people. Some participants found the picnic to be more minimal than they pictured. So go in expecting snacks and sweet comfort, not a full meal plan with large portions.

Photos after the canyon: why they’re worth it

A picture report is included, and in practice it can be one of the highlights. People describe the photos as memorable reminders of the moments you can’t fully process while you’re moving—especially the drops and rappels.

If you care about when the photos arrive, be proactive. One person suggested messaging for clarity, because timing wasn’t clearly communicated. Your best move is simple: if the day ends and you don’t hear anything about delivery timing, send a polite follow-up so you know when to expect the gallery.

Dry-season realities: when canyoning swaps to coastering

Canyoning depends on conditions, and this operator clearly adapts when regulations or safety constraints come into play. One described day involved warm weather, dry land, and government restrictions for forest fire prevention. The team couldn’t run canyoning and switched the group to coastering, which was still fun and adrenaline-based.

This is valuable information for you, even if you’re excited about the idea of rappelling down watery drops. In Gran Canaria, weather can change how the canyon looks and how wet the day feels. What doesn’t change is the guided outdoor effort and the emphasis on safe, structured fun.

So if you’re booking in the drier months, keep an open mind. You’re still signing up for a nature-filled action day; it just may take a slightly different route.

Price and value: is $79.85 worth it?

At $79.85 per person for about 4 hours, this is priced like an all-in adventure package, not a “cheap thrill” activity.

Here’s what you’re paying for in practical terms:

• a professional guide and real safety management
• gear you’d otherwise need to rent or buy (wetsuit, helmet, harness, descender, protective equipment)
• insurance included
• a small group setup
• a picnic with snacks and water
• bottled water
• the picture report

To judge value, look at what that removes from your day. You don’t have to plan equipment. You don’t have to figure out safety procedures. You don’t have to arrange a car for remote trail access because pickup is offered. And because the group is capped at 10, the guide can actually work with individuals instead of turning everything into a conveyor belt.

Also consider the operator’s track record: they run over 130 trips per year and have been guiding since 2000. That doesn’t guarantee every day is perfect, but it does suggest routines, safety habits, and experience handling different group levels.

One more small value point: average booking timing is about 12 days in advance. That usually means the schedule fills, so if you have travel dates you care about, don’t wait until the last week.

Who should book this Cernícalos canyon trip?

This works best for you if you want:

• a real outdoor adventure, not just a scenic walk
• a guided day with safety gear and instruction
• a mix of actions (rappelling, jumps/climbs, walking, possibly swimming)
• a group size that doesn’t swallow your questions

It also fits beginners better than you might think. The tour notes that most travelers can participate, and the guide approach is described as patient and supportive—especially around the moments that feel scary, like higher rappels.

It’s not a casual sit-and-snap activity. You need to move. You should be comfortable hiking back up steep sections after the canyon. And if you’re bringing kids, remember the age rule: children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

If you have mobility limits or you know you hate steep climbs, you might want to choose a different style of activity that keeps exertion lower. But if you can handle uneven ground and you’re willing to trust the process, this can be a standout day.

Should you book Cernícalos canyoning with MOJO PICON AVENTURA?

I think you should book it if you’re craving a guided adrenaline day that still feels organized. The combination of small-group attention, full safety gear, and multiple obstacle types makes this a “do it once, remember it forever” kind of experience.

Book with caution if:

• you’re hoping for big water all day in the drier season
• you’re not comfortable with steep hiking on the return
• you don’t plan to bring proper grip shoes

If you get those basics right—especially footwear and mental readiness—you’ll get a very complete canyon adventure, with photos afterwards so the highlights don’t vanish into memory blur.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point and what time does the tour start?

The meeting point is Decathlon TeldeGC-1, 35213 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and the start time is 9:30 am.

Is pickup included, and when does it happen?

Yes, pickup is offered. You’ll be picked up around 9:00 am at the main door of your hotel in a white van, and guides wear green t-shirts.

What safety gear and equipment are included?

The tour includes a wetsuit, helmet, harness, descender, and neoprene shocks, plus insurances.

Do I need to bring my own shoes?

The tour includes wetsuit and safety gear, but footwear is not listed as included. Plan on bringing proper shoes with good grip since the activity involves scrambling and you’ll be on wet ground.

What activities happen during the canyon descent?

The canyon route follows the water course and can include walking, jumping, climbing, swimming, and rappelling (abseiling).

Is lunch provided? What is in it?

Yes. You’ll get a picnic lunch with fruit, chocolate, nuts, cookies, and water, plus bottled water.

What if weather affects the experience?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.