Canyoneering - the descent of natural gorges by a mixture of hiking, scrambling, swimming and abseiling - is a spicy mix both for fun and for the adventurous. This is a guide to canyoning in the limestone areas of the western Mediterranean, stretching from the Costa Blanca via the Pyrenees to Provence, Sardinia and Mallorca. Selective in nature, it includes a variety of recommended gorge descents, ranging from two-hour strolls to long-day aquatic expeditions. The more technical expeditions invariably involve abseiling and scrambling, and most canyons are within reach for anyone in possession of these skills (and, in the case of wet canyons, a one-piece wetsuit). The friendly Mediterranean canyons are great places to learn, and the guide provides a basic grounding in techniques and skills.In the dramatic mountain limestone scenery of the Mediterranean, your canyon follows a defined geographical feature that is often inescapable for much of its length. Even an easy, dry canyon can be very atmospheric; add a rush of noisy water and you have an exhilarating environment.