The Chillapájaros canyon, swimming through the Mijares canyon.

You go down the Chillapájaros narrows from the inside, in a wetsuit and helmet, swimming, floating and jumping into the pools of the Mijares. There are no abseils or ropes: it is water canyoning of currents and jumps, and every jump is optional.

A canyon you descend swimming

The Chillapájaros, or Los Estrechos, is the gorge that the Mijares opens about two kilometres from the village, with walls of more than 100 metres and a 25-metre passage through which the water runs. From above you see it on the Estrechos trail; in the water canyon you are at the bottom. Máxima Aventura describes the route like this: you enter with a slide below the spillway of the Arenoso reservoir, continue with stretches of current, jumps and swimming, there is a stretch where you float between the walls and it ends at the Cirat weir. Somos Aventura adds a water zip line that drops from the top of the canyon into the water.

Somos Aventura estimates between an hour and a half and two hours of descent, and about three hours in total with equipment, briefing and transfer. The whole group moves at once, with no queues to abseil, which makes it more dynamic than a rope canyon.

Age, fitness and when not to

Both companies run it from age 12 and ask that you can swim. Somos Aventura recommends about 13 and leaves the last word to the guide; it asks that you understand Spanish or English and do not exceed 100 kg (above that, ask). Moderate fitness is needed: walking on uneven ground, swimming in pools and climbing the odd rock. It is not for those with serious back, neck or heart problems, for pregnant women or for anyone with a recent injury.

If there are children aged 8 to 11 in the group, look at the Centenar canyon, in Zucaina: Somos Aventura runs it from age 8 and Máxima Aventura from 10, with waterfalls of 5 to 16 metres that are descended by abseiling or jumping. And for those from 8 up who want water without a canyon there is rafting on the Mijares.

Prices from the two companies

At Somos Aventura the price falls with the group: €55 per person if there are one or two of you, €50 for three to four, €45 for five to ten, €42 for eleven to nineteen and €40 from twenty. It includes a 5 mm wetsuit, helmet, neoprene booties, guides, changing rooms, return transfer to the start and admission to the Fuente de los Baños, which on summer capacity days must be bought. There are departures at 9:00 and at 16:00 and they ask you to arrive half an hour early.

Máxima Aventura charges €50 for one to two people, €48 for three to six, €45 for seven to twelve, €42 for thirteen to twenty and €40 for more than twenty, with wetsuit, life jacket, helmet, harness, booties, insurance, changing rooms with showers, a photo report and transport from its base. On both, the photos cannot be claimed.

Where you meet

Somos Aventura meets at its base on partida Corral de Prats, with changing rooms and free parking for customers, and takes the group by van about six minutes to the entrance. Máxima Aventura has its office on the Valencia road, in the centre, and receives river groups at the Las Piedrazas estate. Confirm the place when you book.