Gorge walking & scrambling in North Wales
Gorge scrambling is an outdoor adventure activity that involves moving up or down a steep mountain river gorge by climbing rocks, wading through water, and navigating waterfalls.
Climbing and Scrambling: Moving over wet boulders and up rocky waterfalls.
Water: Wading through rivers, swimming across deep channels, and jumping into plunge pools.
Natural Obstacles: Sliding down water-polished rock chutes, squeezing through narrow gaps.
Extra Information on Gorge scrambling in North Wales
Technical Gear we provide
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Wetsuit: Thick neoprene 3-5MM to to keep you warm.
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Helmet: Essential protection against falling debris and slips on wet rocks.
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Harness & Cows tail: For any climbing, abseiling or clip lines.
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Buoyancy Aid: Provides flotation in deep, turbulent pools and whitewater sections.
What you need to bring and wear - Essential
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Do bring: A swimming costume, swimming trunks, or a synthetic UV rash vest if you have one.
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Please bring shorts for over your wetsuit.
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Do NOT wear: Cotton underwear or cotton t-shirts. Cotton holds water, stays freezing cold, and causes severe chafing when wet.
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Do wear: Sturdy, old trainers or running shoes with deep rubber tread. Tie them tightly with double knots so the water pressure cannot pull them off.
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Do NOT bring: Water shoes, slip-ons, Crocs, or sandals. They do not offer ankle support and slide off instantly in moving water.
Age & Ability
Our Minimum age for our Gorge is 8 years old. We understand some children are more capable than others but if a child or adult is unable to progress up the Gorge safely the activity maybe altered.
Gorge scrambling in North Wales - Afon Ddu
Gorge walking & scrambling in North Wales is great for families & groups and especially on wet weather days. There are a few Gorges in North Wales but we use the best one "The Afon Ddu" (Black river) Its located just outside of the Eryri national park near Dolgarrog village. There is a good sized car park located at the bottom just off the main road.
The Afon Ddu gorge is a steep, rocky mountain river with deep pools, waterfalls and narrow sections, creating an exciting but serious environment that requires proper guidance, good water levels and suitable safety equipment. The Gorge can change very quickly during rain fall due to the steepness so using a company as experienced as ours with good ratio's of Instructors to clients is essential.
This is a beautiful Gorge and a great introduction in to Gorge scrambling & Canyoning.
This Gorge is extremely beautiful and parts are in a protected SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), so we follow strict guidelines to look after the wildlife and natural rock features while we enjoy the adventure.
As a company we have the right risk assessments, insurance and qualified and experienced Instructors to work in this Gorge. Please ask to see our paperwork.
Important activity information
Turning up
Please turn up 15 minutes before your activity start time. If you are late it may impact your activity.
Parking
There is parking at all our adventure activities. Please park as responsibly as possible as here in North Wales parking can get busy especially in the high season with nice weekends and bank holidays even busier. You can leave your vehicle key in the Instructors car during the activity.
Paperwork
Hopefully you will now be greeted by one of our Instructors he will then ask you to sign a form outlining the risk of adventure activities and importance of staying safe.
Changing
There are no changing facilities at any of our activity locations. All our activities are rural and in the best locations possible for that activity.
Activity equipment
During the booking process you will have been asked to fill out an online form with the sizes of wetsuits. Really important that this is done. Correctly fitting equipment is for your safety.