The Barranco Formiga is a jewel in the Sierra de Guara, known for offering an unparalleled canyoning experience. With a perfect combination of rappels, slides, jumps, siphons and descents, this canyon embodies everything that makes canyoning an exciting and enriching activity. Suitable for both beginners and experienced adventurers, the Barranco Formiga has established itself as one of the most popular destinations for those looking for fun, stunning scenery and a dash of adrenaline.
What makes Barranco Formiga unique?
This ravine, although small compared to other giants of the Sierra de Guara, such as the Vero or the Mascún, stands out for its compact and varied configuration. In some sections, you can touch the walls with both hands, creating an intimate and exciting atmosphere.
From the beginning, the Barranco Formiga shows its character: a handrail that crosses an aerial crossing introduces you to a landscape where every detail seems designed to surprise. “It’s a watchmaker’s cannon. Many small pieces that together give rise to a prodigy”, As you said, it captures its unique essence.
Highlights:
- Accessible rappels: The tallest one does not exceed 6 meters, which makes it ideal for beginners.
- Natural slides: Designed by water over centuries, they are perfect for sliding between the narrows.
- Thrilling jumps: From the 6-meter highest jump to small pools, each offers options for all abilities.
The Route: From Approach to Descent
The tour begins with a walk of approximately 45 minutes. This section, dotted with native vegetation such as strawberry trees and pines, prepares both body and mind for adventure. “As soon as we leave the car in the parking lot, we have to cross the river and start going up the trail,” he explained, and this first contact with nature creates a special connection with the environment.
The Cave of the Polvorosas, a large vault that once served to protect livestock, marks the point where adventurers put on their harnesses. From there, an 80-metre handrail leads to the first dry rappel that flows directly into the riverbed. This initial stretch is just the prelude to an unforgettable experience.
The Descent of the Formiga: Endless Fun
The Barranco Formiga offers a variety of obstacles designed by nature to challenge and delight its visitors:
- First rappel: A 5-meter waterfall that kicks off the aquatic adventure.
- Slides and siphons: Perfect for sliding and swimming as you venture into the narrow flooded corridors.
- 6-meter jump: The highlight for the most daring. Although, as you pointed out, there are always safe alternatives such as a rappel or a small trail that surrounds it.
Each leg of the descent is carefully designed to maintain interest and ensure safety. “We protect all rappels with a second rope that the guide handles, so that the client is never exposed.” This attention to detail allows you to fully enjoy the experience.
Why Choose Barranco Formiga
- Technical variety: From rappels to siphons, this ravine has it all.
- Accessibility: Ideal for beginners and families.
- Perfect duration: The descent lasts approximately 3 hours, enough to enjoy without exhaustion.
- Unique landscapes: The narrow corridors and the Cave of the Polvorosas offer unforgettable views.
Practical Tips for the Barranco Formiga
- Essential equipment: Wetsuit, helmet, harness and slippers with good grip are essential.
- Ideal season: From spring to autumn, when the flow of the river is perfect for descent.
- Book in advance: Many local businesses offer experienced guides to ensure a safe and enriching experience.
- Don’t forget your camera: The views from inside the canyon are worth immortalizing.
The Barranco Formiga is a must-see experience for those who want to explore canyoning at its finest. As you summarized, “Its beauty, its technical variety, its not excessive duration, its affordability… make it one of the most requested descents in the Sierra de Guara”. Whether you’re looking for adventure, connection with nature, or an accessible challenge, this canyon has it all.
Plan your next adventure in the Barranco Formiga and discover why it is considered a classic in the Sierra de Guara. Excitement and memories are guaranteed!
The Barranco Formiga is one of the classics of the Sierra de Guara. It summarizes everything that a descent can give us: rappels, slides, jumps, descents, siphons. All this very well arranged, in narrow corridors and with interest maintained.
All technical difficulties are acceptable, the greatest rappel does not exceed 6 meters.
To the descent itself, we must add the incentive of a beautiful approach march, which will serve to warm up the muscles. At the end of it, a long handrail will be the one that leaves us at the gates of the Canyon.
Its beauty, its technical variety, its not excessive duration, its affordability… make it one of the most requested descents in the Sierra de Guara.
Approach to the Formiga Canyon
The Formiga Canyon is a level 2 drop. It’s a watchmaker’s cannon. Many small pieces that together give rise to a prodigy. In this case to a very complete relegation. Everything that canyoning can offer us, is wonderfully condensed by the Descent of the Formiga: a beautiful approach, handrails, rappels, jumps, descents, slides, siphons, beautiful straits… all arranged without downtime and without major difficulty, since it can be descended by people who have never done canyoning in Sierra de Guara before.
As soon as you leave the car in the car park, you have to cross the river and start going up the trail that goes off to the right. The path crosses small patches of pine trees, there are also strawberry trees (alborocera in Aragon) and sections of rock. The first surprise that comes out to greet us is the Cueva de las Polvorosas, a large vault where cattle were once closed. In this place, favored by the wide space and shade, we will put on the harness. From here the path becomes more aerial until it reaches a handrail, placed to protect a slightly aerial crossing. The guide will explain the simple technique of carabining, to safely pass the steel towpath of more than 80 meters in length.
At the end of the handrail, a dry rappel will help us to finally reach the same riverbed. It will have been 45 minutes since we started the walk.
The Formiga ravine
The Formiga does not have the morphological grandeur of other large canyons of the Sierra de Guara, such as the Vero, Peonera, Mascún… It is a smaller river, very boxed in, in which at some points you can touch with your hands the two walls that limit it. That gives it another different and attractive atmosphere. We start walking along the riverbed and we reach a 5-meter waterfall that we have to solve with a rappel. All rappels are protected with a second rope operated by the guide, so that the client is never exposed.
From this rappel, fun slides, siphons, narrow flooded corridors, descents between jets of water, passages through chaos of blocks, etc… If we look up when we are halfway through the route, we will see the Cave of the Polvorosas where we put on the harness to face the handrail. After a while, we reach the highest jump of the course, an impressive 6-meter jump in a very powerful environment. It seems that the narrowness of the walls does not allow jumping, but it is only an appearance. The reception pool is more than enough to execute this beautiful jump… Of course, it requires a little aim.
However, you don’t have to suffer in advance, this difficulty that gives character to the descent can be avoided by riding a rappel, making a nice slide or taking a small path and going around it on foot. A gallery that we will swim through, will escort us to the opening of the canyon, where we welcome the sun with enthusiasm. Before finishing, there are still some easy jumps, some impossible descents through holes and a little walk to reach the car. Since we entered the water, it will have been about 3 hours
The Formiga Canyon is one of the 5 classics of the Sierra de Guara. A must for those who want to enjoy the adventure of canyoning, with friends or family.
Canyoning rates
| Material provided by the client | Material provided by the company |
| Swimsuit, towel, sports shoes and spare clothes. | Full isothermal neoprene suit, helmet, necessary technical material and sports insurance. |
| Age | Duration |
| from 7 years old and up. | 1 day or 1/2 day. |
| Personnel | |
| Qualified and specialized guides. |
Images of the Formiga Ravine
Here you can see some photos of the descent of the Barranco Formiga with a group of friends from Avalancha. The use of neoprene, in addition to protecting our skin from possible rubbing with stones, also has the effect of reducing the cold caused by the water, so the descent is much more pleasant and safe.
One of the ravines that is accessible for all levels as it does not involve a high difficulty and is not too long. One of the most popular ravines in the Sierra de Guara for well-justified reasons.
| Sheet | Formiga Ravine | ||
| Starting | Panzano | Period | All year round |
| Rappels | Yes, the longest 8 m. | Caudal | Permanent flow rate with cold water |
| Leaks | Yes | ||
| Vehicle | No | ||
| Schedules | Access to the ravine: 30-45 min Descent approx: 2 hours Return: 15 min |
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