Above the Guadalest reservoir, the CV-70 keeps climbing towards Confrides. At the end of the valley, at the foot of the Serrella, is l'Abdet, and from there leave the two canyons closest to the castle.
Two canyons, two levels
Mela, or the Abdet canyon, is the beginner one. It has abseils, down-climbs, jumps and slides, and Alicante Aventura presents it as a good first experience. It lasts about three hours. It has a condition you should know before booking: it depends on rain. In dry periods it may be dry or have very little water, and then there are no pools, jumps or slides. The company asks you to check the state of the canyon before booking. At the end you return to Abdet by a path that is steep at first and joins a tarmac track.
The Sord is something else: a dry, narrow, vertical canyon wedged into the limestone, of medium level and intended for those who have already done a canyon. It starts with several short abseils; then come one of 15 metres, with a pool below that can be avoided with a pendulum, and a free-hanging 25-metre one, in which you descend without touching the wall. At the end there are a couple of easy abseils and you come out into the bed of the Mela canyon, from where you continue or return to the meeting point. It takes about four hours. After heavy rain it may carry water.
Who it is for
Both accept from age 8, but they are not the same for a child. Mela is the one for a first time, with children or teenagers who swim well and are not scared in water. The Sord, the company recommends only with adults: the long abseils are hard for the youngest. For both you are asked not to have vertigo that freezes you, to be able to walk on uneven and slippery terrain and to have basic fitness. Pregnant women and anyone under the influence of alcohol cannot go.
Price and what is included
Each canyon costs €40.78 per person, adults and children. It includes the sports technician, technical equipment (at Mela, the wetsuit too), approved helmet, photos of the activity, which are sent by link and deleted after a month, and accident and civil liability insurance. The canyoning rucksack is optional. It does not include transfer or food. For groups of more than eight, the company asks you to get in touch first.
How to get to l'Abdet
From Benidorm, take the CV-70 towards the Vall de Guadalest, passing through the village and continuing up the valley. For Mela you meet in the Abdet car park; for the Sord, at Restaurante Mari Pico. Arrive 15 minutes early: the guides wait five minutes and leave. If you give notice of a delay or cancellation less than 24 hours ahead, there is no refund.
