Starzlach Gorge turns planning into real action. This guided canyoneering adventure in Blaichbach pairs real waterfalls with tight safety control, so you can focus on the fun. The route is run by a certified team, with canyoning equipment and instructions built in, even if you are new to the sport.

I especially like the mix of skills and wow moments: you get controlled abseils, jump sections, climbing bits, and an end-of-tour 18-meter waterslide. The big consideration is logistics and fitness: you need your own transport from the meeting point to the gorge area, and it is not suitable for non-swimmers or kids under 14.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Certified canyoning guide and safety briefing before you start
• Abseils up to 12 meters plus jumps from heights up to 4 meters
• 20-minute climb to reach the canyon starting point
• 2.5 hours on-route inside the gorge, for a full skill-and-adrenaline session
• Photos included, so you do not have to stop for your own camera every few minutes
• End with an 18-meter waterslide that actually feels like the grand finale

Starzlachklamm Gorge: what makes this Allgäu trip fun

Canyoneering has a specific kind of excitement: you are not just hiking to a view. You are moving through water, using your body, and following a guide who knows where the safe lines are. In the Starzlachklamm, that means waterfalls, narrow sections, and obstacles that turn a gorge walk into an active day.

What I like here is that you get the full spectrum without it turning into chaos. The tour is structured with a safety briefing and equipment handoff before you go in, so you are not just dropped into gear and told good luck. And the gorge route is timed so you stay in the action instead of spending half your day waiting around.

The big pay-off: you leave with new techniques under your belt, plus a final moment that most people will remember long after the canyon mist clears.

Getting to Im Wasen 16 and the Starzlachklamm starting area

Plan on doing one small bit of DIY travel. You meet at Im Wasen 16 at the Canyoning Station Allgäu, and the tour provider notes that there is no hotel pickup. After you check in and get your equipment briefing, you drive to the Starzlachklamm gorge area using your own transportation setup.

This matters because it changes how smooth the day feels. If you already have a car in the Allgäu region, this is easy. If you are relying on taxis or tight connections, you will want to build in extra buffer time so you do not stress about being early.

Also note the tour ending back at the same meeting point. That makes it simple to line up your lunch plans afterward, as long as you are ready for wet clothes to become a “pack it carefully” situation.

Your 4-hour rhythm: check-in, safety, then 2.5 hours in the gorge

Even though the activity is listed as about four hours, the “real canyon time” is shorter and more focused. You spend roughly 30 minutes on the safety briefing, then get about 2.5 hours of guided action in the Starzlachklamm River.

Here is the flow in human terms:

First, you arrive at the station for your gear and a pre-adventure run-through. Then you head to the gorge, and you start with a 20-minute climb to reach the starting point inside the area. The climb is part exercise, part warm-up, and part “you are actually going in” reality check.

Then comes the core of the experience. You will move through water obstacles while the guide manages pacing and safety, and you finish back out at Im Wasen 16.

The upside of this structure is you get a complete session without dragging it out. The trade-off is simple: you should arrive ready to be active right away.

Safety briefing and learning gear basics before you go

Canyoneering is one of those activities where good instruction is the whole difference. Here, you get a detailed safety briefing before the tour begins in earnest. The key idea is that you are learning the technique and the boundaries at the start, not improvising while you are already hanging off waterfalls.

The tour also specifies that the guide is state-certified, and that you will be using provided canyoning equipment. For most people, that means you do not need prior gear knowledge to participate. You just need to listen, follow directions, and be honest about comfort levels.

Another practical detail: the guide takes photos during the activity. That is not just a nice perk. It also encourages you to stay present and in the movement, because you can trust that you will get action shots without stopping to manage a camera mid-route.

The Starzlach River route: abseils, jumps, climbing, and the 18-meter slide

This is the heart of the day, and it is built around multiple skill types so you do not get bored. The canyoning includes abseiling from heights of up to 12 meters, plus jumps from heights up to 4 meters. You will also do scrambling/climbing parts through the gorge and narrow passages as the route demands.

You can think of the experience as a sequence of “controls”:

• Control your body during entry and movement in and around the water
• Control your nerves on the abseils and jump points
• Control your balance during climbing and narrow sections

The route ends with a major crescendo: an 18-meter waterslide. That final slide is the kind of finish that makes people grin without needing to explain why. It turns the last stretch into a reward, not just an exit.

Two things to keep in mind while you are moving through: the water sections are active by design, and the tour is not set up as a slow scenic walk. If you like doing stuff with your hands, feet, and balance, this will feel like a win.

What you get for $124: value beyond the adrenaline

At $124 per person, this is not a cheap activity. But it is also not just a generic tour price for a guide and a location. Your fee covers the certified guide, the canyoning equipment, and photos of the tour.

That combination is what makes the value make sense. Renting and assembling gear plus paying for a skilled instructor would add up quickly on your own. Here, you also get the guidance that turns potentially risky steps into something you can execute safely.

What is not included is just as important for budgeting. You will need to plan for your own food and drinks, and drinks are only available for purchase at the end of the tour. The good news is that the experience is only about four hours total, so you can usually slot it between meals without losing an entire day to logistics.

Bottom line: this price is paying for safe structure, equipment, and a guided route that stays exciting from start to finish.

Who should go, and who should skip it

This tour is designed for adults and teens who can handle water movement and safety rules. It is not suitable for children under 14, not recommended for pregnant women, and it is not suitable for non-swimmers.

That last point matters. Canyoneering is water work. Even if you are comfortable with heights, you still need to be comfortable in and around moving water. If you swim confidently, you will feel more at ease during the sections that involve water and transitions.

Also, bring change of clothes and beachwear. This is not optional fluff. You are going to end the tour wet, and the day only feels smooth if you have something appropriate to put on afterward.

And a quick boundary: alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. This keeps the group focused and consistent with safety expectations.

The small details that improve your day

A few choices by the operator help you feel organized instead of overwhelmed. You use a separate entrance to skip the line, and you get languages covered with German and English guidance. That language support is especially helpful during safety briefings, when you want everything crystal clear.

The tour also includes a photo component. That means you are not fighting for a viewpoint while you are doing jumps or abseils. You can concentrate on technique and timing, and you still get visual proof of the chaos in a good way.

Finally, because you drive from the station to the gorge area yourself (no hotel pickup), you should plan your schedule like an adult: be early, bring your questions, and do not assume you can sprint in at the last second.

Should you book this Starzlachklamm canyoneering adventure?

Book it if you want a guided water-and-rock experience that is active, structured, and properly instructed. The combination of 12-meter abseils, 4-meter jumps, and the 18-meter waterslide is a strong package for a single half-day outing. Plus, equipment and photos included make it feel more like a complete service than a bare-bones excursion.

Consider skipping if any of these are true for you: you do not swim, you are under 14, you are pregnant, or you do not have a practical plan for getting yourself to and from the gorge area. Also, if you hate height exposure even with a guide, this route may feel like too much.

If you fit the basics and you like doing real physical activities, this is one of those Allgäu experiences that turns a region known for comfort into a day of controlled adrenaline.

FAQ

How long is the canyoneering tour?

The activity lasts about 4 hours, with about 2 hours and 30 minutes spent exploring the canyon area.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the Canyoning Station Allgäu at Im Wasen 16.

Is there hotel pickup or drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you need your own transportation to get from the meeting point to the starting point at the Starzlach Gorge.

What does the safety briefing cover?

You get a detailed safety briefing before you start the canyon route. The briefing time is listed as 30 minutes.

What heights are involved in the abseils and jumps?

The tour includes abseiling from heights of up to 12 meters and jumps from heights of up to 4 meters.

How high is the waterslide at the end?

The final waterslide is listed as 18 meters.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

No. Canyoneering equipment is included.

What should I bring with me?

Bring change of clothes and beachwear.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not included. Drinks are available for purchase at the end of the tour.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide provides the tour in German and English.