Adrenaline in Gran Canaria: Toni and Sara conquer the Cernícalos Ravine
In the latest episode of Milú Vanlife, Toni and Sara decided to swap their peaceful morning coffee for a high-adrenaline adventure. Leaving their van behind for the day, they headed to one of Gran Canaria’s most iconic natural landmarks: the Barranco de los Cernícalos.
A unique natural wonder
The destination was the Barranco de los Cernícalos, a place of legend in the Canary Islands. While many ravines in the archipelago are dry for most of the year, Cernícalos is the only one that maintains a constant flow of water year-round.
As they geared up, their instructor, Víctor from Climbo, shared the history behind the name. “Cernícalos” refers to the local kestrels, birds similar to the peregrine falcon. The name comes from the Spanish word cernir (to hover), describing how these birds beat their wings in a fixed position while scouting for prey before diving for the attack.
Mastering the descent
The adventure began with a steep hike. Clad in thick neoprene wetsuits that Toni joked made them look like “astronauts on Mars,” the climb was physically demanding even before they reached the water. To ensure everything was safe, Víctor performed what they called the “ITV of canyoning,” a rigorous safety check of all carabiners and harnesses.
Toni and Sara quickly realized this wasn’t just a guided tour; Víctor’s goal was to give them complete autonomy. He didn’t just want to lower them down the cliffs; he taught them how to handle the ropes and rappel (abseil) by themselves from the very first descent.
Adrenaline, slides, and “The Mystery Option”
The descent was a series of technical and thrilling maneuvers:
- The Learning Curve: Sara faced her fears early on, learning to walk backward down rock faces while trusting the rope, even as Víctor joked about the rope breaking—a “surprise” no one wanted!
- Natural Obstacles: At one point, they had to slide through a “toboggan” carved into the rock, passing directly under a fallen tree trunk.
- The Backward Rappel: One of the most exciting segments involved descending backward while accompanying the fall of a waterfall. This technique allowed them to control their speed with the rope while the water crashed directly over them.
The Final Choice: At the very last drop—a descent of roughly 15 to 18 meters—Víctor gave them three choices: a normal descent, a slide, or the “mystery option”. Toni, ever the adventurer, chose the mystery route, while Sara took a moment to psych herself up for the final push.
The “Weekly Shower” for van lifers
By the time they reached the end of the ravine, both were “pretty beat” (petados) and Sara was feeling the chill of the cold water. However, the highlight of the trip was still to come. Entering a restricted area accessible only to canyoners, they reached a spectacular waterfall known as “The Shower”.
Living full-time in a van without a built-in shower, Toni and Sara joked that this was their official “weekly shower”. Despite the freezing temperatures, they braved the falling water for one last refresh before the long hike back to the van
Plan your own escape
If you are looking for a “10 out of 10” experience in Gran Canaria, Toni and Sara highly recommend heading out with the team at Climbo. Canyoning is an incredible way to see parts of the island that are otherwise inaccessible, but it should always be done with a certified guide.
Exclusive Discount for Readers: If you want to experience the Barranco de los Cernícalos for yourself, you can book through the Climbo website. Use the promotional code “EXPLOREWITHVICTOR” to receive a 15% discount on your next adventure.
After hours in the water and a hike back with an empty fridge waiting in the van, Toni and Sara proved that the best stories are found when you step out of your comfort zone—and into a waterfall.
