When you go for a walk in the mountains, you usually try to choose the most direct way possible to reach the peaks and enjoy the views. Canyons and gorges are obstacles that can stop us from reaching this goal, so we try to avoid them. But what if you found out that there are rewards of a different kind to be found, not on the summit, but down in deep ravines in the mountainsides and valleys? You can find natural adventure routes of rock and water, where you have to follow the route of a stream by any means necessary. The exploration of these places is known as canyoning or gorge walking, and it’s becoming one of the most popular outdoor pursuits in the country. Caernarfon, in North Wales, is perfectly located for discovering the challenging canyons and gorgeous gorges of Snowdonia National Park.

In some parts of the country, canyoning is pretty basic. You put on a wetsuit and helmet and just go for it - jumping, scrambling, swimming, and whatever else helps you get around. Snowdonia is one of the best known places for this activity in the British Isles, so it has some more developed routes which contain elements of Via Ferrata. This means that your experience is enhanced with climbing, abseiling and even zip lines. Not only does this allow you to complete longer routes and face bigger challenges, it also makes the adventure even more special. If you set out on an expedition from Caernarfon, you’re guaranteed a good time - and there are also enough providers in the area to keep prices competitive.

Where are the best places to go canyoning around Caernarfon?

• Afon Ddu: The “black river”, this ravine cuts through the foothills of Snowdonia to meet the Conwy Valley on the limits of the National Park. Trips to the Afon Ddu are usually advertised as gorge walking, and they spend more time scrambling on the sides of the ravine without having to get right into the water, and less rope work. Of course, getting wet is part of the fun, and it's here that you’ll find plunge pools, natural slides and waterfalls.

• Betws-y-Coed: The area around this small town is thickly forested. There’s a gorge walking route here that’s hidden among the trees, in a magical location that will transport you far from the worries of your day-to-day life. A lively river tumbles down a series of waterfalls here, bouncing off rocks and winding around tree trunks. Your job is to follow its course downhill in the way that suits you best. You can leap from rock to rock or go with the flow in the water, anything goes.

• Blaenau Ffestiniog: The gorge here is one of the most challenging in the whole of Wales. You start out with big jumps and slides, and then about half way down you have to gather all your courage for what comes next. The second half of the route doesn’t have any exit points - until you get to the bottom - so once you’re in, you’re committed to the journey. The rewards are challenging obstacles as well as zip wires that carry you over 10 metre high waterfalls and plunge you into crystal clear water

• Maentwrog: The powerful Afon Dwyryd flows through the town of Maentwrog. The water that feeds this river reaches it by crashing down the sides of some of the highest mountains in England and Wales. The best canyoning routes here are the kind that start easy, and build up to some wild stunts. By the end of the experience, you’ll be jumping up to 10 metres down waterfalls like it was nothing! And then the real fin starts - zip lining between the canyon walls.

• Snowdon: There’s a steep gorge that cuts down the face of Snowdon itself. Being the highest mountain in the country, it’s not surprising that it’s steep, and the only way down is by completing several abseils with the water splashing in your face and crashing by your ears all the time. If you can handle it, you’ll get the adrenaline rush of your life, which you can put to good use speeding down some ziplines.

What are the options for organising an experience?

A canyoning or gorge walking trip that takes you from Canaerfon into the wilds of Snowdonia is usually at least a half day experience . You have to get to the area by car and then usually walk some distance - almost always uphill - to reach the start of the route. Once you are in the canyon, it can take a couple of hours to complete the route, but there are some ravines where you can choose to keep going for several hours more, turning this into a full day experience . Even if you choose to get out after a couple of hours, you can make a whole day adventure out of it by trying another outdoor activity like climbing or coasteering.

Requirements to do this activity

As the starting point for so many expeditions, there’s always something for everyone here. Experiences that are advertised as gorge walking are usually more suitable for youngsters, and children as young as 7 years old are welcome in some locations. Other gorges can be completed by kids over 9 years old. When it comes to canyoning, where the emphasis is more on getting in the water and using climbing and abseiling techniques, the easiest routes are suitable for children over 10 years old, but there are some challenges that are reserved for teenagers. The biggest challenges are not for first timers, and some of them can only be attempted by adults.

What do you need to bring with you the day of te activity?

You need to bring a fearless attitude, and little else. With just a swimsuit, an extra pair of shorts and a pair of lace up trainers that will retain their grip even on wet rock, you’re ready. That extra pair of shorts is to put over a wetsuit which your guide will give you, and will protect it from damage as you slide around on the rocks of the region. You’ll also get a life jacket and a helmet, and if the weather forecast is showing that it’s going to be cold in the city, you can also arrange to have some more insulating layers.

Adventure awaits! Get ready to join us for a canyon descent in this area!