Gorge Walking has fast become one of the UK’s most popular outdoor adventure activities with all kinds of groups getting involved from corporate team building and leadership courses using the activity, to stag and hen parties looking for something new and exciting that not many people have done before.
Gorge Walking or Gorge Scrambling is moving through gorges / riverbeds using a variety of techniques that often include a variety of activities such as walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming. This is also known as Canyoning or Canyoneering in the US and uses much the same techniques and equipment.
Although many people walk or trek though gorges in the UK that are non-technical, gorge walking or gorge scrambling is often associated with technical ascents or descents — those that require climbing, abseiling, scrambling, technical jumps, and swimming.
Gorge walking, scrambling and canyoning is frequently done in remote locations and often requires a technical instructor to guide groups that are unfamiliar with the area.
Some of the best gorges are often cut into the bedrock stone, forming narrow gully’s with numerous river bed levels, creating drops and jump sites, beautifully sculpted walls, and spectacular waterfalls. Most gorge rivers cut into limestone, sandstone, granite or basalt, though other rock types are found. Gorges can vary from very easy to extremely difficult, though emphasis in the activity is usually on aesthetics and fun rather than the difficulty level. A wide variety of gorges are found throughout the UK, and gorge walking is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
The most popular gorges in the UK are located in South Wales, within the Brecon Beacons National Park in Pont. This location has two rivers and two gorge walking sites that lend themselves to all types of groups and when the river is low is technically very easy to complete. It’s most likely that these gorges are the most popular because of their close proximity to Swansea, Cardiff, Brecon, Newport, Hereford and even Bristol, which are all within an hours drive.
Gorge walking technical equipment can include climbing hardware, static or semi-static ropes, helmets, wetsuits, and specially designed shoes, packs, and rope bags. While gorge walking instructors have used and adapted climbing, hiking, and caving gear for years.