Age
From 12
Duration
2 h 30
Sporty
Sporty
Varied
Varied
Practical info
- Abseils : Up to 22 m, mandatory
- Jumps : 1 small jump, optional
- Slides : Dozens
- Season : June to October
The finest canyons in Haute-Savoie
Spectacular abseils and heaps of slides: such a fun sporty canyon
Ideal for those who want a sporty escape in the heart of nature.
The first half of this wild gorge offers a series of great waterfalls to abseil. You gradually gain autonomy until the astonishing 22 m waterfall.
The canyon then opens up into a forest for the grand finale: dozens of natural slides. A real water park!
Close to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and Chamonix, the canyon is quick to reach from Geneva.
How it goes
- Meet and gear upYour guide meets you at the canyon car park and hands out wetsuits, helmets and harnesses. Allow about an hour in total to gear up and change back.
- Short approach walkA short walk to reach the river.
- The abseilsThe first half of the gorge is a series of waterfalls to abseil, up to the 22 m one. Everything is explained to you along the way.
- The slidesThe canyon opens up into a forest: dozens of natural slides to finish.
- A good half-dayAbout 2 h 30 of activity. Two time slots: 9 am to 12.30 pm or 2 pm to 5.30 pm. Timing depends on the group size, the pace of the less sporty, how busy the river is and the water level: keep an hour of margin for the rest of your day.
Gear
Provided by OXO
- Full 5 mm hooded neoprene wetsuit
- 3 mm neoprene socks
- Canyon harness with safety lanyards and abseiling device
- Helmet
Wetsuits and socks are looked after, renewed very regularly and cleaned after each use with a bactericidal and fungicidal product.
To bring
- Swimsuit (shorts are fine), worn on arrival
- A towel to dry off and change out of sight
- A strap for your glasses if needed
- Sports shoes that can get wet, and a spare pair
Ideal: lace-up shoes with non-slip soles.
OK: old worn-out shoes, sturdy high-top hiking boots, velcro sandals with a good sole.
Not possible: water shoes and booties with soft neoprene soles, sandals and flip-flops with a toe strap.
Shoe rental in your size: €5 per person, to book the day before at the latest.
To prepare your trip, watch our canyoning tutorial.
Meeting point
Balme canyon car park, Magland
58 rue des Grottes de Balme, 74300 Magland. At the foot of the road up to Arâches and Les Carroz, park on the left side of the road, just before the Tindaris restaurant. Do not use the restaurant car park.
Chamonix: 35 min · Saint-Gervais: 20 min · Geneva: 45 min.
You need to drive there. The meeting point is sent to you again by email when you book.
No car? The train stops at Magland station: let us know and we will pick you up there. The Barberine canyon is also very easy to reach with the free Mont Blanc Express train.
No toilets on site: go before you leave.
Photos & video
Waterproof GoPro camera + SD card: €20. Book it with your trip and leave with the SD card to keep your team’s exploits.
- Your own camera is welcome if it is waterproof (check it before you go); non-waterproof devices are not allowed
- Bring a wrist strap or a mount
- Selfie sticks are forbidden: they can be dangerous
Frequently asked questions
What fitness level?
The Balme descent requires an effort comparable to a 3-hour hike on mountain paths. No experience needed: everything is explained to you along the way.
I’m scared: are there any mandatory jumps or passages?
No jump is mandatory in the Balme canyon. The abseils, however, are: you can ask your guide to lower you on the rope, but you must be ready to go down a waterfall of about 12 m.
Where do we change?
There is no OXO base by the river: we change in the canyon car park. It is a quiet place, but we change outdoors! Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and go to the toilet before you leave, there are none on site.
What do we do with our valuables?
Leave them in the car… or, better, at your accommodation.
Glasses and contact lenses: is it possible?
Yes. A well-adjusted strap normally keeps your glasses safe; otherwise, the safest option is to take them off before jumps and slides and slip them into your zipped jacket.
Contact lenses are fine too, as long as you close your eyes tightly when jumping into the water.
What if it rains?
We constantly monitor past and forecast rainfall: too much rain can make the water flow of the Balme river too high.
In that case, why not switch to the Barberine canyon? Located below a dam, its flow stays almost unchanged in the rain.
Can someone follow the group on foot?
Partly, yes. The first half of the Balme canyon is very narrow, then the gorge opens up into a forest: this is where the amazing natural slides are. You can easily walk along the river and take photos of the happy canyoneers.
The dirt path can be steep and slippery in places: wear good shoes and make sure you are fit enough.
