International French Canyoning Route Grading 國際通用法式溪降路線難度分級

Vertical Character（Vertical Difficulty）

V1 (Very Easy):
	•	No rope required
	•	No rappelling
	•	No climbing or downclimbing



V2 (Easy):
	•	Anchors easily accessible
	•	Rappels under 10m
	•	Simple climbing/downclimbing



V3 (Moderate):
	•	Anchors easily accessible
	•	Max rappel height <30m
	•	Adequate spacing between drops for team reorganization
	•	Low-flow vertical water features
	•	Pools at the base of rappels are calm
	•	Systems are easy to rig
	•	Climbing difficulty up to 5.6, with potential rope protection at minor exposed sections



V4 (Difficult):
	•	Anchors not easily accessible
	•	Rappels exceed 30m
	•	Rigging is technical but manageable
	•	Multiple-pitch rappels (ample stance platforms for anchors)
	•	Sharp edges require rope protection
	•	Low to moderate flow vertical waterlines that may affect balance or cause entrapment
	•	Pools at the base may be dynamic
	•	Climbing difficulty up to 5.8 (exposed sections require rope protection)



V5 (Advanced):
	•	Multiple-pitch rappels (hanging belays/anchors)
	•	Rappels may require crossing dynamic waterlines
	•	Moderate to high vertical flow (requires precise rappel line, balance, and line selection)
	•	Difficult rope retrieval or may require swimming with rope recovery
	•	Climbing difficulty up to 5.9



V6 (Highly Advanced):
	•	Anchors are very difficult to reach
	•	Traverse lines are extremely difficult to rig
	•	High to very high vertical flow
	•	Rappelling through waterlines is very challenging (requires efficient execution, balance, and route-finding)
	•	Pools at base in dynamic and strong current
	•	Climbing difficulty up to 5.10a



V7 (Extremely Advanced):
	•	Extremely poor visibility and multiple obstacles on route
	•	Continuous waterfalls with no breaks
	•	Holding breath underwater may be necessary
	•	Pools at base in violent hydraulics and very strong currents
	•	Climbing difficulty exceeds 5.10b



Aquatic Character（Aquatic Difficulty）

A1 (Very Easy):
	•	Dry or calm water
	•	Optional swims only



A2 (Easy):
	•	Swim across calm water <10m
	•	Standard jumps <3m
	•	Short, gentle-angled slides



A3 (Moderate):
	•	Swim across calm water <30m
	•	Some sections with moving water
	•	Standard jumps 3–5m
	•	Long or moderately angled slides



A4 (Difficult):
	•	Extended exposure to cold water
	•	Moderate currents in certain areas
	•	Standard jumps 8–10m
	•	Difficult jumps 5–8m
	•	Siphons/potholes may be up to 1m in width/depth
	•	Large and steep slides



A5 (Advanced):
	•	Extended exposure to cold water causing rapid heat loss
	•	Currents may alter swim trajectory
	•	Dangerous currents such as recirculations, hydraulics, or potholes can briefly trap swimmers
	•	Standard jumps 8–10m
	•	Difficult jumps 5–8m
	•	Siphons/potholes may be up to 2m in width/depth



A6 (Highly Advanced):
	•	Strong currents make it difficult to reach target swim lines
	•	Dangerous currents (recirculations, hydraulics, potholes) may trap swimmers for moderate durations
	•	Standard jumps 10–14m
	•	Difficult jumps 5–8m
	•	Siphons/potholes may be up to 3m in width/depth



A7 (Extremely Advanced):
	•	Very strong currents make it extremely difficult to reach target swim lines
	•	Dangerous currents may trap swimmers for extended periods
	•	Standard jumps >14m
	•	Difficult jumps >10m
	•	Siphons/potholes may reach 3m in width/depth
	•	High-risk siphons over 1m deep with strong flow or poor visibility



Time Commitment

I.
	•	Rapid escape from flash flood zone
	•	Retreat routes throughout the canyon
	•	Total duration <2 hours


II.
	•	15-minute escape from flash flood zone
	•	Retreat route takes ~30 minutes
	•	Total duration ~2–4 hours


III.
	•	30-minute escape from flash flood zone
	•	Retreat route takes ~1 hour
	•	Total duration ~4–8 hours


IV.
	•	1-hour escape from flash flood zone
	•	Retreat route takes ~2 hours
	•	Total duration 8 hours to 1 day


V.
	•	2-hour escape from flash flood zone
	•	Retreat route takes ~4 hours
	•	Total duration 1–2 days


VI.
	•	Escape from flash flood zone takes more than 2 hours
	•	Retreat route takes more than 4 hours
	•	Total duration exceeds 2 days

Note: Time grading assumes a group size of 6–8 people. Larger or less experienced teams may require significantly more time.



Quality Rating
	•	No Star: Entry-level canyons with no rating, but still worth experiencing
	•	⭐️ One Star: Local-level routes worth visiting
	•	⭐️⭐️ Two Stars: City/county-level canyons worth revisiting; above-average quality
	•	⭐️⭐️⭐️ Three Stars: National-level routes with excellent access, stunning terrain, and a balance of fun and challenge
	•	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Four Stars: World-class routes worthy of international travel



———



譯: Justen Wu 

Vertical Character 垂直難度



V1 (Very Easy):
非常簡單
-無須繩索

-無垂降

-無攀爬或下攀


V2 (Easy):
簡單
-固定點易觸及

-下降低於10m

-簡單攀爬&下攀


V3 (Moderate):
中等
-固定點易觸及

-下降落差<30m

-下降點間距允許團隊重整

-低水流垂直水線

-落水點於平靜水域

-系統易於架設

-攀爬難度達5.6(微暴露處具繩索確保可能性)


V4 (Difficult):
困難
-固定點不易觸及

-垂降落差>30m

-系統易於架設具有技術性

-多繩段下降 (空間大立足式架點)

-岩角具護繩需求

-低至中等水流垂直水線可影響平衡或使受困

-落水點於動態水域

-攀爬難度達5.8  (暴露處需繩索確保)


V5 (Advanced):
高階
-多繩距下降 (懸掛式架點)

-下降渡過動態水域需求

-中等至大垂直水線 (需準確垂降水線, 保平衡與路線選擇)

-繩索回收困難或具泳渡收繩可能性

-攀爬難度達5.9 


V6 (Highly Advanced):
菁英階
-固定點非常難觸及

-橫移線路非常難架設

-大至超大水流垂直水線

-下降渡垂直水線非常困難 (需高效操作, 路線選擇與平衡感)

-落水點於動態激流和強勁水流

-攀爬難度達5.10a 


V7 (Extremely Advanced):
頂階
-路線能見度極低且多重障礙物

-非常密集連續性瀑布無間距

-水線中閉氣必要性

-落水點於激流峽潭及極強勁水流

-攀爬難度>5.10b 






Aquatic Character 水域級數

A1(Very Easy)
非常簡單
-無水或平靜水域

-選擇性泳渡


A2 (Easy):
簡單
-泳渡平靜水域<10m

-跳水落差<3m

-滑瀑短且角度平緩


A3 (Moderate):
中等
-泳渡平靜水域<30m

-激流於部分區域

-正常跳水落差介於3–5m

-滑瀑長或角度中等


A4 (Difficult):
困難
-長時間處於冰冷水域

-中等激流於部分區域

-正常跳水落差介於8–10 m

-困難跳水落差介於5–8 m

-篩縫(水洞)寬度&深度可能達1m

-大型陡峭滑瀑


A5 (Advanced):
高階

-長時間處於冰冷水域致使熱能損耗快速

-激流可致使影響泳渡路線

-危險激流如回流, 翻滾流, 水洞可短時間困住泳者

-正常跳水落差介於8–10 m

-困難跳水落差介於5–8 m

-篩縫(水洞)寬度&深度可能達2m


A6 (Highly Advanced):
菁英階
-強勁激流致使難以抵達選定泳渡路線之目標點

-危險激流如回流, 翻滾流, 水洞 可中等時間困住泳者

-正常跳水落差介於10～14 m

-困難跳水落差介於5–8 m

-篩縫(水洞)寬度&深度可能達3m


A7 (Extremely Advanced):
頂階
-強勁激流致使極難抵達選定泳渡路線之目標點

-危險激流如回流, 翻滾流, 水洞 可長時間困住泳者

-正常跳水落差>14 m

-困難跳水落差>10m

-篩縫(水洞)寬度&深度達3m

-高危險篩縫(水洞)超過1m深 (具強流或無視線風險)





Time Commitment 時間級數



I. 
-能快速脫離暴漲區

-全段皆有撤退路線

-總時數約<2小時

II. 
-脫離暴漲區約需15分鐘

-撤退需約30分鐘

-總時數約2至4小時

III.
-脫離暴漲區約需30分鐘

-撤退需約1小時

-總時數約4至8小時

IV.
-脫離暴漲區約需1小時

-撤退需約2小時

-總時數約8小時至1天

V.
-脫離暴漲區約需2小時

-撤退需約4小時

-總時數約1至2天

VI.
-脫離暴漲區需超過2小時

-撤退需超過4小時

-總時數超過2天

注：
時間分級評估以六至八人團隊為主, 更大的團體以及較沒經驗的團體會需要更多時間





Quality 品級



無星: 一些初學者溪谷，沒有星級，但仍然值得體驗

⭐️: 鄉鎮級值得造訪的路線

⭐️⭐️: 縣市級值得多次造訪的路線，質量高於平均水平的溪谷

⭐️⭐️⭐️: 國家級值得造訪的路線, 具優良進出點, 迷人地貌, 娛樂與難度性

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: 世界級美景值得專程飛往造訪的路線