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The most spectacular gorges in Europe

2021-07-15T21:06:53.216Z


Slowly, tenaciously and relentlessly, the water makes its way between mountains, carving deep canyons, ravines, narrow valleys and precipices that challenge vertigo or provide pleasant walks


  • 1Pasarelas del Paiva (Portugal) The wild mountainous area of ​​northern Portugal would be practically inaccessible if it were not for the Passadiços do Paiva. These wooden walkways run along the course of the Paiva River for eight kilometers, skirting mountains and overcoming important slopes. To complete the route, several hours and some physical form are required, without forgetting to bring enough water. They are in the municipality of Arouca, in the Portuguese district of Aveiro, and are also a natural sanctuary for several endangered species. Your tour is a journey through the archeology, biology and geology of this region south of Porto. Getty SOUP

  • 2Viamala Gorge (Switzerland) More than 2,000 years ago, this narrow gorge was already used as access to the ports of the Alps, although it was always done very, very reluctantly because of the danger that a rock would fall on top of you or be produced a violent rise of the waters. Hence the Romanesque name - Viamala - of this gorge. Today this romantic gorge is no longer scary and has become another tourist attraction, especially the 56-meter-long suspension bridge that spans the valley. Getty makasana

  • 3Breitach Gorge (Germany) On a frigid winter night, when suckers hang like stalactites from the stone, the nightly torchlight visit to Breitachklamm, one of the deepest rocky canyons in Europe, is impressive. The gorge runs from Oberstdorf-Tiefenbach to Kleinwalsertal, in the Allgäu region of southwestern Bavaria, and plunges about 100 meters deep into the rock. The entire walk through the gorge takes about two hours, along safe paths between moss-covered cliffs, along the Breitach, a crystal clear mountain river. Alamy

  • 4Tara Throat (Montenegro) In Durmitor National Park you will find one of the wildest and most beautiful canyons on the continent, the Tara River Gorge, with vertical walls up to 1,300 meters high. To understand how the river, the longest in Montenegro, could open such a tremendous gash, just go rafting its rapids. At the end of the descent, the Tara and the Piva converge in a new river, the Drina, one of the longest in the Balkans. The last 15 kilometers of the descent are the most exciting. Photo Gablitz Getty

  • 5Voringsfossen (Norway) The water of the Scandinavian Alps falls with an enormous roar and an untamed force by this imposing waterfall of almost 200 meters. To reach it, the water must first cross the limestone valley of Måbødalen, quite an experience: you descend 1,300 stone steps, loose gravel and a small wooden suspension bridge that crosses the stream. Voringsfossen is one of the many waterfalls that exist in the Norwegian fjords, and probably the most famous. For a year, it also has a spectacular steel bridge anchored to the rock (in the image), a tourist attraction only suitable for the brave, which allows you to walk 150 meters above the waterfall, along a footbridge that seems to float in the air. STIAN LYSBERG SOLUM Getty

  • 6Gorges de l'Ardeche (France) The gorges of the Ardeche River are a national nature reserve in the south of France, between Montpelier and Lyon, dotted with towns such as Bourg-Saint-Andéol or Pierrelatte. The best way to explore them is by canoe or kayak. A 32-kilometer route that begins next to a spectacular stone arch. The entire excursion takes two or three days, and you have to bring everything you need for camping. Juergen Sack Getty

  • 7Dunajec River (Poland and Slovakia) In the Pienino Mountains, the Dunajec River has carved out a gorge more than 300 meters deep whose rock walls fall practically vertically. The Dunajec is a border river between Poland and northern Slovakia, and here you can see some of the most interesting geological structures in Europe. In the past, this river was used to transport the coveted timber from the Tatra Mountains in rafts to Gdańsk, but today rafting is a tourist attraction. If the river flows calmly in its initial section, when it reaches this gorge, things come alive. WOJTEK RADWANSKI Getty

  • 8Typeva Gorges (Moldova) The small village of Tipova is the starting point for a series of excursions through the spectacular gorges of the Moldavian mountains between small waterfalls and moss-covered streams. When the valleys open, nature shows its sweetest side, with green meadows where purple and white poppies bloom. Near Tipova, sheltered by a rocky ledge, there is also a cave monastery from the 6th century. Alamy

  • 9Torrent de Pareis (Mallorca, Spain) Climbing this ravine that crosses the Sierra de Tramontana is not exactly a song and a song. But the truth is that this walk up the rocks is rewarded when you finally discover the beach before you and the Mediterranean Sea appears between the rocks. In summer, the Torrent de Pareis is very busy with hikers who descend the ravine from Escorca to reach Sa Calobra and its famous beach. Aleh Varanishcha Getty

  • 10The Gravina of Matera (Italy) Matera is said to be one of the oldest settlements in the world. And it is very possible. The proof is in this gorge called La Gravina, drilled by a multitude of caves —the Sassi di Matera— that were already inhabited 7,000 years ago. Today, on the rock and with fabulous views, luxurious accommodations rise, but the ancient troglodyte dwellings remain a place open to all. Westend61 Getty

  • 11Vikos Gorge (Greece) Lost in the secret north Greece, in the Pindo massif, is a huge gorge that cuts through the mountain for 12 kilometers. The best views are enjoyed from the Oxiá viewpoint, which can be reached by car. Those who want to go further into this area can take one of the many trails that leave the pleasant little village of Monodendri. The canyon is part of the 12,600-hectare Vikos-Aoos National Park. NurPhoto Getty

  • 12Barranco de Masca (Tenerife, Spain) Even on the tourist island of Tenerife there are charming corners, although to find them you have to zigzag through demonic roads. But the payoff is usually worth it. This happens in Masca, which happens to be the most spectacular village on the island: a town perched on top of a cliff in the Teno Natural Park, surrounded by mountains and serving as the gateway to the Masca ravine. The road up to the village, which makes some hair-raising curves, is one of the great driving experiences in Tenerife. Westend61 Getty

  • 13Lammer Gorge (Austria) About 40 kilometers south of Salzburg, the waters coming from the glaciers have pierced an imposing gorge in the stone: Lammerklamm. The untamed force of nature is clearly felt when, from the footbridge, the bridge is lowered over the thundering current. In the narrowest and darkest part, the walls of the creek are separated only by a few meters. The whole region is a popular holiday area with meadows and forests and plenty of country houses, perfect for hikers. Wolfgang Weinhaeupl Getty

  • 14Valle de Brasa (Italy) For novice drivers, the Brasa Valley road may not be the most recommended option; On the other hand, for those who have a good command of the car, it is impressive. The so-called Strada della Forraes is one of the most beautiful and winding roads in Europe, built in 1913. The route begins about 400 meters above Lake Garda, and then descends in countless tight curves that open up to the blue waters of the lake. The road goes into the heart of the gorge of the Brasa river, by walls that sometimes narrow so much that they barely allow light to pass through. Marco Bottigelli Getty

  • 15 Avakas Gorge (Republic of Cyprus) The Avakas Gorge is considered one of the most beautiful places in Cyprus. The hiking route begins in the town of Paphos, on the Akamas peninsula, on the Greek side of the island. The passage between the vertical walls of this gorge is narrowing more and more. In the last 500 meters there may be water, so it is better to wear waterproof shoes or booties. Steve Fleming Getty

  • 16Paklenica Gorge (Croatia) The name of the imposing gorge, located in the homonymous national park on the Croatian Adriatic coast, means “little hell”. But it turns out that here one does not find purgatories and devils, but an exuberant flora and fauna, and tourists from all over the world, of course. Something will have to do with the claim to the huge cave called Manita Peć, the only one open to the public. The highlights are climbing, abseiling and hiking. diamirstudio Getty

  • 17Fjadrargljufur (Iceland) In 2015, Justin Bieber shot his music video for the album 'I'll show you' in Fjadrargljufur, an impressive canyon in southern Iceland, making this lost corner in a remote fjord of the island become fashionable. So much so that access had to be restricted. The place is worth a visit: its rocky and slippery walls, covered with grass and moss, drop 100 meters into the abyss. At the bottom of this runs the river Fjaðrá, whose waters are fed by glaciers and waterfalls that plunge into the void. The path follows the upper edge of the gorge and offers incredible views of this tremendous chasm. Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost Getty

  • 18Tolmin Gorge (Slovenia) The entrance to the Tolmin canyon is also the entrance to the famous Triglav National Park, a great area for hiking. If the turquoise blue water of the Tolminka murmurs in this narrow gorge —whose walls at some points are only a few meters away—, in the steep cliffs an extraordinarily lush and intense green predominates. There are several wooden walkways and a few stairs. Also a whole system of caves, including the Zadlaska cave, or Dante's grotto. The highlight is a hot spring that invites relaxation Aldo Pavan Getty

  • 19Finnich Glen (Scotland) Deciduous trees and shrubs desperately clinging to sheer rock. If you look up, between the wet cliffs you see nothing but a tiny strip of blue sky. And it is that this glen of Finnich (Finnich Glen), next to Loch Lomond, in Scotland, is a magical place, especially in the corners where the rays of the sun reach, illuminating the narrow ravine with an aura of mystery. It is here, in Finnich Glen, where the so-called Devil's Pulpit is located. According to legend, the Celtic Druids secretly met at this rock altar. It's only about 30 minutes from Glasgow, but it feels like another world. Westend61 Getty

  • 20Rappenloch, Austria The Rappenloch Canyon, near the Austrian city of Dornbirn, made headlines in 2011 when the wooden bridges spanning it collapsed without warning. Fortunately, no one was injured and two years later, after taking the appropriate security measures, a new road was built. The path begins in the small village of Gütle to continue through tunnels and walkways to the beautiful Staufensee lake. From here, after regaining strength, we can extend the excursion to another nearby gorge, that of Alplochshlucht. Markus Keller Getty

Source: elparis

All news articles on 2021-07-15

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