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March → May · Pyrénées-Orientales

Outdoor activities in spring

before the canyon season

The classic canyons open in June. Until then, spring belongs to via ferrata and climbing, which find ideal temperatures, to caving and to the Thuès hot-water canyon.

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Child on the Pitchona via ferrata at Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet
Easter holidays · the rock before the heat
State-certified guide
Equipment provided
Free photos
Open in spring

What you can do from March to May

Via ferrata, caving and the Thuès hot-water canyon are open all year. Climbing starts again in March at Tautavel and Vingrau, in April at Casteil. The classic canyons follow in June.

Via ferrataRock ClimbingCavingCanyoning
Via ferrata
Via ferrata

Via Ferrata Souterrata en Ligne de Vie Continue

25€
/ p.p.

World's first underground via ferrata with Continuous Life Line. Through a pink marble gorge: Tarzan jump, monkey bridge, zip lines.

Villefranche de Conflent 2h From 8 years year-round
Via ferrata

Via Ferrata de la Pitchona

45€
/ p.p.

Beginner via ferrata above Saint-Paul de Fenouillet. Gentle exposure, panoramic traverse, monkey bridge — the perfect confidence-builder for a first outing from age 8.

Saint-Paul de Fenouillet 2h From 8 years year-round
Via ferrata

Via Ferrata de Saint-Paul de Fenouillet

60€
/ p.p.

Via ferrata above the Agly gorges. Aerial progression on limestone — slabs, cracks, traverses and a monkey bridge — with a panorama over the Pyrenees.

Saint-Paul de Fenouillet ~2h30 From 10 years year-round
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing

Falaises de Casteil

55€
/ p.p.

Introduction to climbing at the foot of Canigó. Granite and limestone, grade 4 to 6c, exceptional setting from age 7. Equipment provided.

Casteil 4h From 7 years April → October
Rock Climbing

Falaises de Tautavel

65€
/ p.p.

Technical climbing on compact Corbières limestone. Grades 5+ to 6c, route reading and guided lead climbing. For intermediate climbers.

Tautavel 3h From 12 years March → November
Rock Climbing

Grande Voie de Vingrau

75€
/ p.p.

Multi-pitch route on the airy limestone of Vingrau. Grade 6b to 7a, bolted anchors, Mediterranean panorama. Autonomous climbing required.

Vingrau 4h From 16 years March → November
Caving
Caving

Découverte En Gorner

39€
/ p.p.

Pink marble gallery, the sand castle chamber, the Egyptians passage and the great Elephant Hall. Return via the pools and an 8 m rappel you can skip.

Villefranche de Conflent 2h30 (Caving) + 10m (Walk) From 7 years year-round
Caving

Sportive En Casa

49€
/ p.p.

Full route: crawling, tight squeezes, the letterbox, climbing between boulders and traverse ledges, then a 15 m rappel down to a treasure of eccentric crystals.

Ria 2h30 (Caving) + 30m (Walk) From 12 years year-round
Caving

Exploration Canalettes

59€
/ p.p.

Entry through the show cave, then downclimbing the Angkor temple, the collector gallery, a 15 m rappel at La Dona's overhang, crystal tubes and the underground river. Exit via the upper entrance.

Villefranche de Conflent 4h (Caving) + 15m (Walk) From 12 years year-round
Caving

Aquatique En Gorner

99€
/ p.p.

Aquatic exploration in neoprene. Metro gallery, iron shaft rappel, white marble basins, an underground river beach and a deep lake.

Villefranche de Conflent 6h (Caving) + 5m (Walk) From 14 years year-round
Caving

Merveilles En Gorner

99€
/ p.p.

Large galleries and immense chambers, then a climb up to the majestic upper gallery: crystal clusters and extraordinary eccentrics, a photographer's paradise.

Villefranche de Conflent 6h (Caving) + 5m (Walk) From 14 years year-round
Canyoning
Canyoning

Canyon d'Eau Chaude

55€
/ p.p.

Unique in Europe! Route through natural hot-water pools at 30–40°C. Water slides and rappels.

Thues-entre-Valls 2h (Descent) + 23m (Walk) From 10 years year-round
Not this season
  • Canyoning — Gorges de la Castellane, Gorges du Llech · back in June
Good to know

Why spring is a good season

In spring, the rock hasn't yet soaked up the summer heat. The Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet via ferratas and the Tautavel and Vingrau cliffs can be climbed at pleasant hours, without setting off at dawn.

The climbing season opens in March at Tautavel and Vingrau, and in April at Casteil, at the foot of the Canigó. Casteil welcomes beginners from age 7; Tautavel is for climbers who can already lead, and Vingrau for independent climbers.

During the Easter holidays, the Pitchona via ferrata, from age 8, and the En Gorner discovery trip, from age 7, are the most accessible for families. The Thuès hot-water canyon already lets you try canyoning, from age 10.

Canyons in June

The classic canyons (Castellane, Llech) open in June. Until then, the Thuès hot-water canyon is the only one you can do in spring.

Footwear

For via ferrata, hiking boots with a good grip are compulsory. Helmet, harness and via ferrata kit are provided.

Book ahead

Book at least 48 hours before the outing: the guide prepares equipment in your size.

Frequently asked questions

Spring, your questions

Can I go canyoning in spring?

Only the Thuès hot-water canyon runs in spring, in pools between 30 and 40 °C. The classic canyons open in June.

When does climbing start again?

In March at Tautavel and Vingrau, in the Corbières, and in April at Casteil, higher up at the foot of the Canigó.

What can I do during the Easter holidays?

Via ferrata (Pitchona, Saint-Paul, Souterrata), climbing, caving at Villefranche-de-Conflent and the Thuès hot-water canyon. For families, the Pitchona and the Souterrata welcome children from age 8, the En Gorner discovery trip from age 7.

Can I do via ferrata if I'm afraid of heights?

Fear of heights can hold you back, but many participants overcome it with the guide's encouragement. The Pitchona, graded easy, lets you test how you react to height step by step.

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