Canyoning with Kids: How to Plan Family Tours in the Allgäu

Shared adventures shape children more than any toy, and that’s exactly where family canyoning comes in. Our family tour in the Starzlachklamm gorge near Sonthofen is specially tailored to the needs of children and designed for kids ages 6 and up to participate alongside their parents; strong swimming skills are required. Instead of pressure to perform, the focus is on exploration, splashing around in crystal-clear pools, small jumps, and the smooth, polished rock slides—and every activity is optional. On this page, we explain what parents should keep in mind when planning, how the tour unfolds, and why the Starzlachklamm is such a great choice for families.

The “Canyoning Family” was designed as a standalone program, not as a shortened version of the adult tour. Together as a family, you’ll set off on a journey of discovery through the gorge, float on your backs through the pools, take small jumps whenever the mood strikes, and dash down the rock slides smoothed by the water. Certified guides will accompany you with a maximum ratio of eight guests per guide, explain each section in a child-friendly way using language that children can understand, and adjust the pace to suit the youngest participants—because time pressure simply doesn’t exist for us and would be out of place with children anyway. All equipment for adults and children—from wetsuits to helmets, harnesses, and shoes—is included in the tour price and provided by Edelrid; all you need to bring are swimwear, towels, and a dry change of clothes. The tour concludes with a group family photo provided by our inclusive photo service. All details, dates, and booking information can be found on the Canyoning Family page for the Starzlachklamm.

Carved by the Starzlach River at the foot of the 1,740-meter-high Grünten, the Starzlach Gorge offers an unusually wide range of difficulty levels, allowing families, beginners, and athletic visitors to experience the same gorge in different ways. For children, there’s an added attraction: the gorge is classified as a valuable geotope, and with a little attention, young naturalists can discover coin-shaped fossils and the remains of rare crabs in the rock. Adventure and natural history thus combine into an experience that leaves a lasting impression and will be talked about around the family dinner table for a long time to come. Parents can rest assured that a safety concept is in place that is certified according to ISO 21101 for Adventure Tourism and builds on over 25 years of experience in this gorge. In terms of timing, midsummer—with its mild air and water temperatures—is best for families, while morning slots during the Bavarian and Baden-Württemberg school vacation weeks tend to book up quickly. Our page with booking information for all tours summarizes all the rules regarding booking, rescheduling, and weather-related cancellations.