20th September 2019
The landscapes we work in are very varied, from forests to river valleys to mountains. In the Brecon Beacons in South Wales we run gorge scrambling along a beautiful rocky river not far from Abergavenny in Monmouthshire. It’s a stunning area to explore and there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy nearby, whether you want to spend the weekend adventuring or head into town for some sightseeing. Here are our some of our ideas for a great day out:
Days Out in the Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons are a dramatic mountain range with incredible scenery and plenty of outdoor activities. We run gorge scrambling in the Clydach Gorge to the east of the national park, which has several waterfalls, caves and tunnels and leads to the Nant Dyar Railway Viaduct at the top, a striking Victorian structure which can be walked or cycled over.
You could combine gorge scrambling with a trip to the Big Pit National Coal Museum just a couple of miles away which runs underground tours or go walking in the Black Mountains to the north. The Sugar Loaf mountain (iconic because of its pointed tip) is achievable for families as well as groups and the views from the top are breathtaking. All this is only a 30 minute drive from Monmouth so you could combine a visit here with any of our other activities, or stay nearby and enjoy all that the area has to offer. There is also the fabulous Abergavenny Food Festival at the end of September which is a highlight of the year and the town has plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants making it an ideal stop for lunch or dinner, plus there is a castle and museum.
If you’d like to venture further into the Brecon Beacons you could climb Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales or explore ‘waterfall country’ and do the 4 waterfalls walk which is highly recommended (no scrambling up these ones!).
What a Gorge Scrambling Experience in the Brecon Beacons is Like
Clamber over rocks, under logs which have fallen across the valley, round boulders and sometimes through holes in the rocks rubbed smooth with the endless flow of water. Climb upwards through the gorge and follow our instructions to grab the footholds and handholds in the rocks to climb your first of many waterfalls. Then at the very top, venture through a tunnel and exit underneath the magnificent viaduct and take in the views before heading back down exhilarated.
The thrill of the journey is made all the better with a group egging you on and supporting you when you need a little extra encouragement. If you would like to join friends/family on their gorge scrambling experience but not take part you can walk alongside the gorge instead. This means you can still watch and enjoy seeing them on their adventure and take those all important photos. Although we do always try to take a few photos of our own using our waterproof camera and will email them to you afterwards.
No matter the season – You Will Get Wet!
Hot? The water will cool you down. Wet? You will get wetter! It doesn’t matter what the weather is doing, gorge scrambling will be just as much of an adrenaline rush spring, summer and autumn. In the autumn when the river is generally fuller it can be a particularly exciting experience.
We’ve still some availability at the end of September for gorge scrambling so if you’d still like a little adventure before the end of 2019 don’t wait! See our online booking here.
