# Chillapájaros Water Canyon in Montanejos Water canyon with no abseils through the Mijares narrows, with optional jumps and swimming · about 3 h · from age 12 · from €40. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/montanejos/things-to-do/chillapajaros-water-canyon · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Dónde: Montanejos 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. ## Paso a paso ### 30 min before · Base and equipment You put on the two-piece wetsuit, the booties with your trainers over them and the helmet. Safety briefing. ### 6 min · Van to the canyon Transfer to the entrance of the narrows, beside the Arenoso reservoir. ### First stretch · Slide and currents You enter the water and learn to let the current carry you feet first. ### Mid-route · Jumps Pools with jumps of several heights. Each person chooses theirs or goes through without jumping. ### Final stretch · Between 100 m walls You float through the narrowest passage to the Cirat weir, where you leave the water. ### Return · Shower and Fuente Back to the base. With admission included, the afternoon can continue at the Fuente de los Baños. ## Qué llevar - Swimsuit or bikini - Trainers that can get wet, tied tightly - Towel and dry clothes to change into - Dry shoes for afterwards - Hair ties for long hair ## Consejos ### Flip-flops will not do Nor beach sandals or water shoes: they ask for trainers that hold the foot well. ### Go in a group if you can With five or more people the price per head drops by several euros at both companies. ### Afternoon shift in summer The water in the narrows comes from the dam and is not the thermal water of the Fuente: in the afternoon, with the hot air, it is more welcome. ### Leave the afternoon for a swim Admission to the Fuente de los Baños is included in Somos Aventura's offer. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Do I have to abseil in the Chillapájaros? No. It is a water canyon of swimming, currents and jumps, with no abseils or technical anchors. ### From what age can it be done? From age 12 and able to swim. For children aged 8 to 11, the Centenar canyon, in Zucaina. ### How much does it cost? From €40 per person in large groups. One or two people pay €50 or 55 depending on the company. ### How long does it last? About three hours in total, with an hour and a half to two hours inside the canyon. ### Are the jumps compulsory? No. Each jump has an alternative route and you decide. ### Is it cancelled if it rains? The flow of the Mijares on this stretch is regulated by the dams. Only the guide cancels, if they see a real risk.