Rio Prialunga

The Rio Prialunga is undoubtedly the most impressive and technical canyon in Liguria, its descent offers verticality, adrenaline and fun. A few kilometers from the sea in the Beigua mountains we find a surprising route, a small corner of Switzerland but with a sea view. The canyon is in fact carved into the serpentine, here so smooth and compact that it seems granite and the beautiful hanging basins that we find halfway along the route make us think of the famous Swiss streams.

The sculpted walls and the emerald green basins create a unique atmosphere. Practicable from April, the descent is perfect during the spring and autumn months. In the summer months however the water level drops significantly and the river bed is dry in various areas. The Rio Prialunga is a challenging route from both a sporting and technical point of view. The access path requires good physical condition and the presence of numerous rope descents and suspended basins recommend the activity to those with a minimum of previous experience with rope maneuvers.

A route reserved for the most athletic and daring who will spend an extraordinary day surrounded by nature. The meeting point is in the parking lot of the La Fonda farmhouse where we leave the cars and the material for the activity is distributed. From here we begin the climb first through the farm’s cultivated fields then we follow a mule track that climbs for a long stretch through the chestnut woods. A well-marked path branches off from the mule track in an easterly direction and crossing the mountain halfway up the hill leads us to the stream. Before starting the descent of the river you will receive all the necessary information on safety and progression in the stream.

The descent begins calmly with a bit of climbing between large blocks and a couple of easy rope descents and a few dives. This part is very bright and the horizon opens onto the sea in front of us, we are in a space-like place. Quite quickly we reach a high descent on rock steps that leads us to the central part of the Rio Prialunga, the most beautiful and spectacular. The canyon closes in around us and in front of us there is a succession of high waterfalls and suspended pools with glimpses of disarming beauty.

A long handrail allows you to reach the start of a “sports” slide that requires concentration and quick reflexes. We are now at the top of two 30-meter waterfalls interspersed with a beautiful suspended pool, it is the key passage of the descent. The following part has a couple of impressive but simpler descents inside a beautiful corridor that with a dive and a mysterious passage takes us to the final part of the route.

A few more thrills with the last two descents and we reach an unarmed jump where we exit on the left bank, go down and ford the stream taking a path on the right bank that leads back to the farmhouse. If you enjoyed the experience and are ready to leave again, come and discover with us the other Ligurian streams such as the Rio Lerca or the Rio Barbaira.