At the topographic level, the Rio Vero canyon can be divided into several sections interspersed with a more open and calmer area: the first chaos of blocks (the Barranco Lecina, the gorges of los Oscuros and the gorge of las Clusas) and the Lower Vero (Cluse de Villacantal and Barranco del Castillo). If it is possible to cover the entire Rio Vero by combining the 2 sections for a long and sporty descent, we prefer Au Sens de l'Eau to offer the 2 parts independently. This way, we can take our time looking for fun passages and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes they offer, but we also avoid making a long car commute and we significantly reduce our ecological impact.
THE MAJESTIC RIO VERO, CRADLE OF CANYONING
Whether you are an experienced canyoner or a novice looking for sensations, the Rio Vero canyon offers routes adapted to different experience levels.
The lower Rio Vero, an essential family activity
To complete this loop, we leave the village of Alquezar to go further upstream to the end of the calm part of the river, approximately halfway through the canyon. This approach walk is a hike dominating the canyon parade and offers impressive views of the cliffs. The canyoning part, very aquatic, allows the discovery of the same landscape, but from another point of view: immersed in water. We then enter a mineral labyrinth where the rock has been sculpted over thousands of years by the force of water. The return to Alquezar, just as majestic, is carried out by taking part of the path of the footbridges. Even if it requires some walking, this route is aimed at beginners in canyoning, families with children or groups wishing to discover one of the most beautiful canyons of Sierra de Guara while having fun.
The upper Rio Vero, wilder and more technical
The first part of the Rio Vero, quite short but extremely impressive, offers several interesting aquatic passages. To make this section more complete, the Sens de l’Eau created a combination of 2 very different canyons: the Porticha then a round trip into the first chaos of the Rio Vero. The first canyon, dry and very vertical, offers sensational spider-wire abseils. Then we explore the aquatic section of the Rio Vero which requires a good level of white water swimming. This double allows you to immerse yourself in the scenery of the Rio Vero by practicing several canyoning techniques. The exploration of this part of the canyon, Porticha + First chaos of the Rio Vero requires a certain mastery of canyoning techniques and is aimed more at a sporting audience.
FROM EXPLORATION TO POPULARITY
One of the first to venture out and map the bottom of the Rio Vero canyon was Pierre Minvielle between 1965 and 1967. Irresistibly attracted by this aesthetic gorge and the search for adventure, Pierre and his companions increased their explorations and established friendly ties with the local population. After discovering numerous rock paintings in the caves of the Lecina sector and the Choca canyon, they made the first descent of the Rio Vero in the summer of 1967 and arrived in Alquezar to the applause of the inhabitants. Little by little, without us noticing, the high course of the Vero left the world of geographical truths to enter the unlimited universe of myth. Extract from The Forgotten Sierra, Pierre Minvielle, ed. Rando Editions Over the years, the popularity of canyoning in the region has grown, and the infrastructure in Alquezar has been adapted to meet the growing demand from visitors. Today, the Rio Vero is recognized as a reference place for the initiation and practice of canyoning, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO DISCOVER THE RIO VERO
The Rio Vero can be explored in several ways, without necessarily putting on a neoprene suit. For hiking enthusiasts, several trails allow you to discover the gorges from a more peaceful angle, such as the discovery of the rock paintings of Chimiachas or those of Villacantal. A classic hike, very easy to access from Alquezar: the Alquezar footbridges (entrance fee). Las Escaleras descend into the final part of the canyon to Picamartillo Cave and offer breathtaking views of the natural pools and its spectacular rock walls. This well-marked trail allows you to walk along the canyon in complete safety and is aimed at families. Another footbridge route was recently developed and connects the bottom of the Basender canyon and Lecina, in the upper part of the Rio Vero. Just as easy to access, the route passes through troglodyte caves which were places of prehistoric habitats. In Lecina, we can add the visit of an exceptional tree: a thousand-year-old holm oak elected “European tree of the year 2021”.
SOME ANECDOTES
The Rio Vero is literally the first canyon to be explored as if it were a cave or a mountain. Pierre Minvielle and his team started by going up the canyon from Alquezar, then they went around via a path to enter the canyon through its entrance near Lecina. Pierre noticed a distinctive rock, which meant they had successfully linked the two explorations. At the time, they were equipped with rudimentary equipment compared to today’s modern equipment, and often had to improvise to cross certain water passages. The inhabitants of the villages thought they were crazy, they told them “hay pozos” (there are water holes): “Don’t go there, the geese of Lecina carried away by the tumultuous waters were found plucked below of Alquézar”. In the summer of 1967, Pierre Minvielle’s team announced to the villagers that he would undertake the first descent of the Rio Vero the next day. They thus arrived in Alquezar, like heroes having defied the impossible, acclaimed by the inhabitants. A few decades later, the adventure in the Rio Vero is an adventure within everyone’s reach, with some walking effort and comfort in the water.