12 Waterfalls of Liri
A very steep and continuous canyon, perfect for enjoying rappelling in the Benasque Valley.
The 12 Cascadas de Liri Canyon is one of the classic descents we offer as part of our canyoning program in the Benasque Valley.
It’s located near the town of Liri, in the municipality of Castejón de Sos, in the Huesca Pyrenees, and has a feature that clearly sets it apart from other canyons in the area: the continuous flow of its waterfalls.
Here, we don’t need a long approach to start the activity. Within a few minutes, we enter the ravine and begin linking rappels and waterfalls practically from the start.
If you like vertical canyons and especially want to enjoy rope-assisted progression, Liri is a very interesting option.
Hike Down the Liri 12 Waterfalls Ravine: Why Do We Recommend It?
El Liri is a very dynamic and continuous canyon.
Its main attraction lies in the succession of waterfalls and rappels we encounter during the descent. It’s not a canyon where we have to walk for long stretches between obstacles: here, the action is much more concentrated.
The route is divided into two main sections separated by a more open area.
The first part is particularly continuous and vertical. Then we come to an intermediate section and enter the second stretch of waterfalls.
This layout also allows for two options:
- The entire Liri route, covering the entire descent.
- Medio Liri, covering only the upper section.
This allows us to tailor the activity quite well to the group, the time available, and the conditions.
At Guías Roca y Agua, we consider this a medium-level canyon, although the water flow plays a significant role. With more water, the waterfalls become more powerful and the descent changes considerably.
That’s why we always assess the conditions before choosing this route.
Where is the Liri 12 Waterfalls Gorge?
The ravine is located next to the small village of Liri, which is part of the municipality of Castejón de Sos, in the lower part of the Benasque Valley.
It is very close to towns such as Castejón de Sos, Sesué, Villanova, and Seira, and just a short distance from our Guías Roca y Agua / All Radical base in Benasque.
One of its advantages is precisely its accessibility.
The approach on foot is very short, and we’re quickly inside the canyon, so we spend practically the entire activity on the descent.
What is the difficulty level of the Liri Canyon?
In our activity classification, we rate this as intermediate.
It’s a good option for people who have already done some easy canyoning and want to try an activity with more rappels and a slightly steeper incline.
Depending on conditions, it can also be considered as a first experience for active people who are comfortable in the mountains, especially if they only tackle the upper section.
What matters isn’t just whether you’ve done canyoning before.
When we organize the activity, we also consider:
- physical condition;
- age;
- experience in other mountain activities;
- comfort with heights;
- rappelling experience;
- and what the ravine is like that day.
Not everyone needs to start at exactly the same level.
What is the 12 Waterfalls Gorge like?
The name itself gives us a good clue.
The descent consists of a series of waterfalls that we navigate primarily by rappelling.
The first section features a significant amount of that verticality and has very little transition between one obstacle and the next.
After that, the riverbed widens for a stretch, and we can exit if we’ve chosen to do only the Medio Liri.
If we continue along the route, we’ll enter a second section with more waterfalls and rappels until we complete the descent.
The landscape also changes throughout the activity, combining more rugged areas with open ones surrounded by vegetation.
It is a very different canyon, for example, from Aigüeta de Barbaruens, where the approach is much longer, the route is longer, and the terrain is more varied.
That is precisely why these two canyons go so well together.
Full Liri or Half Liri: Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on the group and the day.
Medio Liri
We’ll only cover the first section.
It’s a good option if:
- We’re looking for a slightly shorter activity;
- We’re just getting started;
- We want to focus especially on rappelling;
- we have less time;
- or we simply believe it’s the best option for the group.
Whole Liri
We cover both sections of the canyon.
This is the option we recommend when the group has the appropriate skill level and we want to enjoy the entire descent.
As a guided activity, we estimate it will take about 4 hours, although the time can always vary depending on the number of people, their experience, and the conditions.
When is the best time to hike the Liri Canyon?
The season depends largely on how the winter went and on the water flow we encounter.
We usually run these tours from late spring through the summer, though the season may be extended depending on conditions.
In the Pyrenees, we have to pay special attention to snow and snowmelt.
At the start of the season, we may encounter significantly higher water levels and very cold temperatures. Later on, the water flow usually decreases and the character of the canyon changes.
That’s why we don’t base our decisions solely on the calendar.
We assess the conditions, and if Liri isn’t the best option that day, we suggest another descent in the Benasque Valley that’s a better fit.
Are there waterfalls at the 12 Waterfalls of Liri?
El Liri isn’t a canyon we’d particularly highlight for its jumps.
Its main attractions are the waterfalls and rappels.
There may be small ledges, slides, or the occasional jump depending on conditions, but you don’t have to want to jump to enjoy this canyon.
If you’re mainly looking for jumps, slides, and a more water-oriented route, we can recommend other descents in the valley.
Combine the Liri Ravine with the Aigüeta de Barbaruens
If you’re planning to spend two days in the Benasque Valley, one of our favorite itineraries is to:
- Day 1 — Liri’s 12 Waterfalls Gorge
- Day 2 — Aigüeta de Barbaruens Gorge
These are two quite different activities.
Liri is more focused, vertical, and geared toward rappelling.
Aigüeta de Barbaruens offers a longer day, a much longer approach, and a more varied route with a completely different mountain atmosphere.
Doing both allows you to experience two of the most representative canyons we regularly guide in the Benasque area.
Technical Information on the Liri “12 Waterfalls” Gorge
- Area: Liri / Castejón de Sos – Benasque Valley
- Province: Huesca
- Rock and Water Guide Level: Intermediate
- Approximate duration of the entire activity: 4 hours
- Walk-in: Very short, about 5 minutes
- Type of canyon: Water-filled and vertical
- Main feature: A continuous series of waterfalls and rappels
- Maximum rappel length: approximately 20 meters
- Options: Half Liri or Full Liri
- Typical season: late spring, summer, and early fall, depending on conditions
Times and conditions may vary depending on the flow rate, the group, and the time of year.
Material required
To build the ravine, we used:
- full neoprene;
- helmet;
- canyoning harness;
- descender and climbing gear;
- strings;
- collective technical material.
If you do the activity with the Rock and Water Guides
We provide all the specific technical equipment needed for the canyoning trip, as well as a guide and the necessary safety gear.
You’ll mainly need to bring:
- swimsuit;
- athletic or hiking shoes that might get wet;
- water;
- towel;
- dry clothes to wear after the activity.
Before the descent, we’ll explain any other necessary details.
Guided Canyoning at the 12 Waterfalls of Liri
When someone asks us about this canyon, the first thing we do is get to know the group a little.
You don’t need to decide on your own whether to book a Level 1, 2, or 3 tour.
Tell us how many people are in your group, their ages, what experience you have, what sports you play, and what kind of activity you’re looking for.
With that information, we can recommend:
- Whole Liri;
- Medio Liri;
- Aigüeta de Barbaruens;
- Eriste;
- or another ravine in the Benasque Valley, depending on your skill level and the conditions.
Our goal isn’t to take you to a specific ravine just because it’s located in a nature reserve.
Our work begins with choosing the right activity.
Book your canyoning trip down the 12 Waterfalls Canyon in Liri
If you’d like to go canyoning in the Liri Gorge with a professional guide, you can check out our activity at:
canyoning in the Benasque Valley
From our base in Benasque, we organize canyoning trips of various difficulty levels in the Benasque Valley and other areas of the Pyrenees; you can also try canyoning in the Sierra de Guara.
If you’ll be staying for several days, we can also combine canyoning with via ferrata, rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering, or biking, depending on your skill level and the conditions.
Contact us and let us know who you are and your available dates.
We’ll recommend the activity that makes the most sense for you.
About the Author
Nacho Segorbe is a member of Guías Roca y Agua and All Radical, and he works as a mountain and canyoning guide, in addition to working as a ski instructor and coach.
Its operations are primarily centered in the Benasque Valley, the Pyrenees, and the Sierra de Guara, where Guías Roca y Agua has bases in Benasque and Adahuesca.
Throughout his career, he has also worked in other mountain destinations such as the Alps, Madeira, Réunion, and the Himalayas.
This article is based on firsthand experience in the field and professional judgment gained from actual work with clients and groups in the mountains.
Text: Nacho Segorbe · Roca y Agua Guides
Photos: Nacho Segorbe / Roca y Agua Guides
