by John Bull
Cicerone, 2008, ISBN 1852845082 - ISBN-13 9781852845087, £12.00

This guidebook describes classic year-round Canyoning routes in the limestone areas of the western Mediterranean from Spain's Costa Blanca via the Pyrenees to France's Provence, and also Sardinia and Mallorca. Canyoning as you may or may not know is the descent of natural gorges by a mixture of hiking and scrambling and often swimming and abseiling can be involved too. An activity that is more common in mainland Europe than here in the UK, it provides many a holidaying British climber/alpinist/mountaineer/trekker/caver or kayaker with an alternative adventure sport.

The guidebook, as with many others, provides the reader with a choice of routes applicable to their desire and ability; thus all the routes are graded for their difficulty and quality. This ranges from easy hiking and wading routes of easy adventure through to routes of a more adventurous style, that include long abseiling pitches and technical cave sections. The book, selective in nature, includes a selection of recommended gorge descents, ranging from two-hour strolls to long-day aquatic expeditions.

It details centres within which to base one-self and/or head towards for a number of routes in a particular area. These include in the following countries: Spain: Rodellar (Sierra de Guara); Benidorm, Alicante (Costa Blanca); Palma, Soller (Mallorca); France: Castellane, Moustierres (Verdon); Italy: Nuoro, Dorgali, Cala Gonone (Sardinia). The book suggests the must-do list of a graded list of the top six, some of which are listed below:
Rio Vero, Barranco de Mascún Superior, Oscuros de Balcés, Torrente de Gorg Blau et Sa Fosca, upper section of the Verdon Gorge.

The book implies that the friendly Mediterranean canyons are great places to 'learn the ropes' and this guide therefore, provides a basic grounding in techniques and skills for the less experienced or those new to the activity.

Review by Dave Brown