Ötztal action for adrenaline junkies

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Five hours of adventure: moments reveals some of the most beautiful canyoning routes in Europe.

“Even the Ötztal Alps need a bit of Acapulco today,” says the guide casually, puffing out his violet blue neoprene chest. High above, between steep, wet black canyon walls, a towel-sized, dark blue flag of Tyrolean sky glows. Below the edge of the waterfall, the abyss roars, and the participants roar back briefly. There isn’t much more time for that now. Because in a moment they’re heading down the gorge, just another day in the world of canyoning.

Holidays with a full-body experience

Terrifying slides into white water with a number of rapid turns, followed by a survival crawl in a cold foam bath. Some show a few bruises as a reward for their exertions. But above all, the heroic feeling of having made it. Those participating in the Ötztal canyoning tour are already mentally going through the next section of the gorge as well as the canyoning basics: feet forward, buttocks together, head up. And always stay on your back with the rope over your shoulder. The same applies for the descent. The Ötztal delivers what white-water fans come to expect from the fashionable sport of canyoning: having to use their entire body to slide past ruggedly romantic mountain scenery, and rapid acceleration from zero to forty in three seconds. The wild streams have done a great job here. Over millions of years, they have dug into the mountain and created bizarre canyon landscapes. Canyoning tours for beginners can be found at the Rosengarten and Hachle gorges in Hoch-Imst, including smaller water slides, jumps and abseiling spots. The Alpenrosenklamm near Ochsengarten also has challenges in store for experts. Five-metre jumps and an 18-metre abseil provide the thrill on the way through the easier part of the Nederbach. The Auerklamm near Oetzerau is a must for canyoning enthusiasts. Five hours of pure wilderness. The sections of the gorge have varying levels of difficulty and can be booked individually. The result? One of the most beautiful canyoning tours in Europe.