Bikepacking is simple: you carry everything you need on your bike and ride for more than a day, mostly on trails, forest roads, gravel and quiet lanes. It sits somewhere between mountain biking and backpacking, and it is one of the best ways there is to see wild country. Our own Traws Eryri trip takes riders 205 km across Eryri (Snowdonia), and the first question people ask is always the same: what do I need to bring?

This guide covers the equipment that matters, from bags and repair kit to sleeping, cooking and clothing. For route ideas and detailed gear reviews, the best resource on the web is bikepacking.com, and we link to its guides throughout.

Start with the bike you already have

You don’t need a special bikepacking bike. A hardtail, a full-suspension bike, a rigid mountain bike or a gravel bike can all work. Choose the bike that suits the terrain: for rough, rocky Welsh tracks like the Traws Eryri, a mountain bike with wide tyres is the comfortable choice. Get it serviced before a big trip, fit fresh brake pads and make sure the tyres have plenty of life left. Bikepacking.com’s Bikepacking 101 is a good place to start if you are new to all of this.

Bikepacking bags: where everything goes

Bikepacking bags strap directly to the frame, handlebars and seatpost, so you don’t need racks. They are quieter and more stable off-road than panniers, but hold less, so packing takes a bit more planning. The main options are:

• Frame bag: fits inside the front triangle. It is the lowest, most stable spot on the bike, so it is the place for heavy, dense items such as food, tools and spares. A half frame bag leaves room for water bottles.
• Seat pack: mounts under the saddle and typically holds 5 to 14 litres. Ideal for clothing and soft, light kit. Some are only water resistant, so a dry bag inside is worth having in Wales.
• Handlebar roll or harness: carries bulky but light items such as a sleeping bag, tent or spare layers. Keep the front light so the steering stays predictable.
• Top tube and stem bags: small bags for snacks, phone, sun cream and anything you want to reach without stopping.
• Fork cages: bolt-on cages that carry extra water or small dry bags if your fork has mounts.
• A small backpack or hip pack: optional, but carry as little on your back as you can.

The golden rule is heavy items low and central, light items at the ends. Spread the weight across the bike rather than overloading one bag, and don’t overstuff zips – they are usually the first thing to fail. Bikepacking.com’s guide to bikepacking bags goes into much more detail.

Repair kit and spares

A mechanical problem miles from the nearest road is the one thing that can end a trip, so this is not the place to save weight. A good core kit is:

• A multi-tool with a chain breaker and the right Allen and Torx sizes for your bike
• A pump that suits your tyre size, plus tyre levers
• One or two spare inner tubes, even if you run tubeless
• A puncture repair kit, tubeless plugs, spare sealant and a tyre boot
• Quick links for your chain and a little dry chain lube
• Zip ties, duct tape and a small pair of pliers
• Spare brake pads and a spare derailleur hanger for longer trips

Check your kit before you go: dried-out patch glue and a pump that doesn’t fit your valves are surprisingly common. See bikepacking.com’s bikepacking repair kit for the full list, including extras for longer expeditions.

Shelter and sleep

If you are camping, your sleep system is usually the bulkiest thing you carry. Most experienced bikepackers use a small, light tent, though a tarp, bivvy bag or hammock all work. Pair it with a sleeping bag or quilt rated for the temperatures you expect, and a sleeping mat with enough insulation (its R-value) to keep the cold ground out. In the UK, nights in the hills can be cold even in summer.

On our guided Traws Eryri trip you stay in accommodation each night and we transfer your luggage, so you can leave the tent at home and ride with a much lighter bike.

Food, water and cooking

Riding a loaded bike all day burns a lot of energy, so carry more food than you think you need and eat little and often. Plan your water around the route: bikepacking.com suggests carrying anywhere from 2 to 6 litres depending on how far it is between refills. In Wales, streams are plentiful, but a filter or purification tablets are essential.

If you are cooking, keep it simple: a small stove, a light pot (around 0.7 to 1.5 litres), a lighter, a mug and a spork, all packed inside the pot. For a first overnighter, many people skip the stove and take a ready-made dinner and breakfast instead.

Clothing for Welsh weather

Layers are everything. Ride in comfortable cycling kit, gloves, a helmet and shoes you can walk in, as there is always some pushing on rough Welsh climbs. Add:

• A properly waterproof jacket – the most important item on any UK trip
• A warm insulating layer for stops and evenings
• Merino or wool base layers, which stay warm when damp and don’t smell after a few days
• Spare dry clothes for the evening, kept in a dry bag
• Waterproof socks or overshoes if the forecast is wet

Navigation, lights and electronics

Most bikepackers navigate with a GPS unit or a phone in a handlebar mount, loaded with the route as a GPX file. Carry a backup copy on a second device, and a power bank of at least 10,000 mAh with the right cables. Add a head torch and a rear light. You can download our Traws Eryri GPX file from the route page.

Safety and first aid

Carry a small first aid kit with plasters, dressings, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, painkillers and antihistamines. Much of upland Wales has no phone signal, so a satellite messenger is worth considering if you are riding remote routes on your own. Tell someone your plans, check the weather before you set off, and plan escape routes. And leave the places you ride as you found them: bikepacking.com’s seven principles for bikepackers are a great guide.

Bikepacking checklist

• Bike and bags: serviced bike, frame bag, seat pack, handlebar roll, top tube bag, dry bags
• Repairs: multi-tool, pump, tubes, plugs, sealant, quick links, zip ties, tape, lube
• Sleep: tent, tarp or bivvy, sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping mat (if camping)
• Food and water: bottles or bladder, water filter, snacks, meals, stove and pot (optional)
• Clothing: waterproof, insulated layer, base layers, gloves, spare evening clothes
• Electronics: GPS or phone, GPX files, power bank, cables, head torch, rear light
• Safety: first aid kit, satellite messenger if riding remote routes, cash and ID

Where to go: finding bikepacking routes

Once your kit is sorted, you need somewhere to ride. Bikepacking.com’s route collection has nearly 500 routes in more than 70 countries, shown on a worldwide map. You can filter them in three useful ways:

• By location: for example routes in Europe, including the UK
• By bike type: mountain bike, gravel or all-terrain routes
• By length: overnighters, weekend trips of 2 to 4 days, week-long routes of 5 to 10 days and longer expeditions

Each route comes with a description, a map, a GPX download and practical notes on water, resupply and terrain. If you are new to bikepacking, start with a short overnighter close to home, keep it simple, and note what you used and what you didn’t. Bikepacking.com has a good guide to planning your first overnighter.

Ride it with us: the Traws Eryri

If you would like to try multi-day riding without carrying everything yourself, our guided Traws Eryri trip is a great introduction. It runs 205 km from Machynlleth to Conwy over four days, with mountain bike guiding, accommodation, lunches, luggage transfers and a support vehicle, so all you have to do is ride.

Further reading

Bikepacking 101 – the complete beginner’s guide – bikepacking.com

Guide to bikepacking bags – bikepacking.com

Bikepacking gear and pack lists – bikepacking.com

Guided Traws Eryri mountain bike trip – davetalbot.net

In a world filled with digital distractions and structured routines, adventure challenges offer a much-needed escape — and more importantly, a gateway to deep personal development. From multi-day treks to obstacle races, these physically demanding experiences also ignite emotional strength, mental resilience, and real-world skills that last long after the adventure ends.

Breaking Through Mental Barriers

Adventure challenges often test our mental endurance just as much as our physical limits. When we hit a wall — whether it’s exhaustion, fear, or uncertainty — pushing through builds a strong mindset.

• Improved problem-solving under pressure
• Development of grit and perseverance
• Boost in confidence and self-belief

Experiential Learning in Action

Unlike traditional learning environments, adventure is all about learning by doing. Real-time decision-making, reflecting on mistakes, and adapting on the fly all contribute to accelerated learning and personal insight

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

Benjamin Franklin

• Faster skill development through direct experience
• Greater retention of lessons learned
• Resilience in unpredictable situations

Enhancing Teamwork and Communication

Many adventure challenges are done in teams. These shared trials build collaboration, empathy, and group problem-solving — all of which are crucial in both personal and professional settings.

• Improved communication skills
• Stronger interpersonal bonds
• Conflict resolution in high-stress environment

Reconnecting with Nature and the Present

Spending time outdoors during adventure challenges helps participants reconnect with nature and become more present. Studies have linked outdoor exposure to lower stress levels, clearer thinking, and better emotional balance

Applying Growth Beyond the Adventure

The true power of adventure lies in its ability to create lasting change. The confidence gained and lessons learned translate directly to real life — from tackling a tough work project to taking bold personal steps.

Final Thoughts

Adventure challenges are not just physical tests — they’re personal turning points. They teach resilience, adaptability, teamwork, and self-awareness in a way few other experiences can. Whether you’re an educator, coach, leader, or simply seeking growth, consider stepping outside the comfort zone — and into the wild

Further Reading

Bespoke Challenges and Adventures for you and your Team – davetalbot.net

The Outward Bound Trust – Personal Development through Adventure –outwardbound.org.uk

The British Exploring Society – Learning Through Wilderness – britishexploring.org

Trail Running Events – davetalbot.net

Discover why the Forest of Dean is one of the UK’s most scenic and soul-stirring trail running destinations. From ancient woodlands to exhilarating elevation, it offers something for every runner.

A Trail Runner’s Paradise Steeped in History

The Forest of Dean, located in western Gloucestershire, is one of England’s oldest and most treasured woodlands. Once a royal hunting ground for Norman kings, this ancient forest now offers over 110 square kilometres of mixed terrain, ideal for trail runners of all abilities. Its rich biodiversity and well-maintained trails make it a year-round destination for those looking to combine endurance with scenery.

Diverse Terrain for All Levels

From gentle woodland tracks to steep hill climbs, the Forest of Dean provides a varied landscape that challenges and inspires. Whether you’re clocking up your first 5K or preparing for an ultra marathon, the terrain here keeps you mentally engaged and physically tested. The soft, often muddy paths are easier on the joints, while the hilly routes build strength and stamina.

Experience the Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon

The crown jewel of the area’s trail running scene is the Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon , a 55km race with a staggering 1,300m of elevation gain. Runners travel through ancient forest, across open ridges, and past some of the area’s most iconic landmarks. It’s a perfect combination of physical test and spiritual reward, drawing runners from across the UK and beyond.

Landmarks That Fuel Your Stride

• Symonds Yat: Offers breathtaking views over the River Wye – forestryengland.uk
• Cannop Ponds: A haven for wildlife and a peaceful mid-run view. – forestryengland.uk
• Mallards Pike Lake: Ideal for reflection (or a cold post-run dip!). – forestryengland.uk
• Speech House: A historic hunting lodge turned hotel and hub for local trails. – thespeechhouse.co.uk
• Soudley Ponds and the Sculpture Trail: Art and nature combined to lift your stride and spirit. – forestryengland.uk & forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk

An Ecosystem Alive with Energy

The Forest is home to deer, wild boar, buzzards, owls, and countless smaller species that bring life to every run. Runners often report chance encounters with these animals, making each trail session feel immersive and unique.

Community and Events

The local trail running community is welcoming, experienced, and growing. Events such as park runs, fell races, and the Forest of Dean Half Marathon ensure there is always something to train for. Many local clubs offer guided runs for newcomers or those looking to explore beyond the beaten path.

Accessible Yet Wild

Despite its wild feel, the Forest of Dean is easily accessible from major cities like Bristol, Cardiff, and Birmingham. With well-marked trails and modern visitor centres, it’s the perfect blend of adventure and convenience. There’s ample parking, bike rentals, cafes, and even sauna experiences by the lake at Mallards Pike—ideal for post-run recovery.

Final Thoughts

Trail running in the Forest of Dean is more than just a workout—it’s a full-body, soul-soothing adventure. With ancient trees, sweeping views, and a vibrant trail community, it’s a destination that invites you to run deeper, climb higher, and breathe freer.

Strap on your hiking boots and prepare for a trek that will test your physical limits, challenge your sanity, and make you question why you ever thought it was a good idea to voluntarily walk for days on end. We head to the island of Madeira.

Welcome to this travel blog, where we embark on the Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) – a long distance hike full of adventures, misadventures, steps, and burning thighs that will leave you wondering if you’ll ever walk the same way again.

Madeira – Day 1

Very early start! 3:30am to be precise, although it didn’t feel too bad – I think that’s often the case when you’re off on an adventure. And it was worth it to arrive at our hotel by eleven thirty with almost the whole day ahead to explore the local area.

We stayed at Hotel Dom Pedro in Machico, a coastal town on the east of Madeira. We went for lunch first and had a ‘Prego‘ – a Portuguese sandwich of fried steak with crushed garlic hammered (literally!) into it to give the most incredible flavours. Needless to say we polished it off before heading off on a walk along the coast.

Dinner was at Talhadas – conveniently right next to our hotel. We kept it fairly relaxed on day zero – after dinner the only thing left to do was the inevitable last minute panic shop at the local supermarket for sustenance.

Accommodation: Hotel Dom Pedro madeira.dompedro.com

Dinner: facebook.com

Madeira – Day 2

Definitely not an alpine start 😂

Up at 7am, breakfast shortly after ready for a 9am taxi kindly arranged by the hotel to Porto Moniz – our start point. Upon arrival at Porto Moniz we marvelled at the beautiful rock pools below us, half wishing we could delay our start for a quick swim.

We began our ascent; the only way to describe this would be brutal, relentless, and unforgiving and those would all be massive understatements. We went up, up, and up again only to find…there was more up. It was hard. It was the same for the downs – too steep to achieve a good pace, and our poor knees really took a beating!

The environment is really quite incredible – you can go from being in what feels like the middle of a rainforest to traversing across epic and narrow ridgelines. The misty cloud canopy draped the landscape in an ethereal shroud, obscuring the distant horizons (and our upwards journey) in a veil of mystery.

We had deliberated over whether to camp on the first night or find refuge in a B&B with a hot shower and an actual bed. Probably a bit pathetic that we chose the latter but it had been a hard day and we realised that irrespective of where we slept – we did need some dinner.

We found accommodation at Baia Seixal Ocean Front apartments – phew 😅- and a beach front restaurant which made us two very happy hikers! We ate like kings (a massive plate of meat and chips), bought an ice-cream for the walk home and called it a night.

Accommodation: Baia Seixal Ocean Front apartments booking.com

Dinner: instagram.com

Madeira – Day 3

We set off at 8am to head to the supermarket to pick up lunch and some caffeine (happy Becky!) – then got picked up at 9am for a lift up to the Vargem area to avoid the horrendous 1600m ascent we’d have first thing and that would just be for getting to the summit of peak 1!

Our driver was the owner of the apartment we stayed at the night before and on the journey up to our new start point we gained insight into life in Madeira. A few things we learnt from this friendly chap:

‘True Madeira’ is on the north side of the island and in the mountain areas.

The political situation is complex – lots of corruption especially around land and business ownership.

The African slaves built all the trails we are hiking*.

The chef at the restaurant we ate at the night before is truly a legend – he saved 2 men from drowning in the ocean just the week before when a huge wave swept them off the path where they were taking photos. Apparently it’s a real issue here – the power of the waves and the danger they pose to tourists.

Madeira is the Hawaii of Europe (we agree!)

*Upon more research into this, it turns out the intricate network of Levadas we often saw on the hike were crafted by the slaves – channelling the island’s water resources from the north side of the island which catches more rain, to the south where the first inhabitants settled. The name ‘Levada’ is derived from the Portuguese verb ‘levar’ which means ‘to bring’. i.e. the Levadas bring water to where it is needed most.

We arrived at the start feeling fresh and ready to go (probably something to do with the 1000m ascent we had just cheated our way out of…) The hike was so much better than Day 1 – far more varied, and the ascent was a lot less intense and so we could appreciate the scenery a lot more.

We noticed that when on the north side of a ridge or peak, the ground was dry and the air was warm; whereas on the south side it was much more tropical and humid with flora that would be at home in the Amazon rainforest. It was generally quite misty for most of the day but when that cleared, the views were spectacular – and looking back over the ridgeline we had traversed we felt quite proud of our day’s effort!

We ticked off quite a few peaks (Pico da Encumeada at 1278, Pico do Jorge at 1691, Encumeada Baixa at 1655) before setting up camp for the evening at Achada Do Teixeira – a mountain lodge where we ate a ginormous bowl of pasta and sampled some Madeira wine.

The plan had been to stop a few kilometres earlier however the hut up at Pico Ruivo didn’t offer hot food and the camp area didn’t look too inviting. The ground was hard mud which isn’t ideal for pitching the tent we have and the available area was fairly small. And so – executive decision made we skipped the peak, headed down to the mountain lodge for the night with the aim of returning to summit Pick Ruivo early that next morning.

Accommodation: wild camped by Achada Do Teixeira

Dinner: (achadadoteixeira.com

Madeira – Day 4

We woke up feeling very unrefreshed after camping in the rain for the night – kind of to be expected! Soggy sleeping bags were packed up and we headed back to Pico Ruivo to hike up the highest mountain in Madeira. In an attempt to reignite the spark of determination to get to the summit, we left our bags at the mountain hut to make ourselves a little lighter and after a short but steep climb we reached the peak and were rewarded with the most glorious panoramic view…that we didn’t see because of the clouds! Nooooo! However, we did agree that the first peak ticked off before 10am isn’t too bad an effort.

We headed off on the hike towards Pico Do Arieiro – and to our delight the mist began to clear to reveal the most exquisite mountain ridge line in front of us, with deep valleys to our left and right. Behind us, we could finally see the mountains we had traversed the days before which felt somewhat rewarding.

This trail was far busier and touristy than the previous days, and it was easy to understand why. The narrow paths were carved into the mountain side – connected by tunnels, ladders, and the steepest of steps (can’t escape the steps!) which made for a varied and truly epic route across the famous peaks of the island.

After a final dramatic ascent up to Pico do Arieiro, we collapsed into the mountain top cafe, demolished a cheese burger each and then set off on the 6km mundane road walk to our accommodation. We did halfheartedly try to flag down a lift but ended up plodding down all the way to our accommodation for the night.

Or so we thought.

It turns out the accommodation we booked had the same name as the destination we walked to – and where we were very much looking forward to a celebratory evening meal. As luck would have it, the accommodation and restaurant weren’t anywhere near each other and we had another hour’s walk to tackle if we wanted to meet our bed for the night. We agreed that another hour on foot was just a bit too much to cope with and taxied our way down and out the mountains to a seaside town ten degrees warmer with a pool and abundance of restaurants to choose from.

Although we realised that meant the end of our mountain adventure, we generally felt broken and our bodies were saying a big NO to more walking. Reflecting on our adventure over a delicious dinner at Frango da Guiia we agreed that the MIUT needs to be something tackled with the lightest bags, no camping gear, and admittedly a slightly better plan than we had prepared.

Bellies full and hearts warm, we went to bed after making a friend in our lovely little waiter, Marco.

Accommodation: Dom Pedro Canico garajau.dompedro.com

Dinner: facebook.com

This is an article intended to help those needing some mountaineering top tips and helpful hits. Some of these tips are also relevant for long mountain days, either running or hiking. I’ll keep adding to this as a resource, I hope they help.

Gloves – when sorting kit or walking into a place where gloves are needed, keep your gloves on the inside of your jacket. When you put them on they will be warm, toasty and ready to go.

Gloves – for walking and basic gloves for climbing, these are brilliant and cheap – Screw Fix Winter Gloves

Rucksack – this is the bag that I use for most things, it’s bombproof and it doesn’t cost the earth. The material is tough, it’s got the right amount of pockets, ice axe loops etc etc – Blueice Rucksack

Boots – when driving for a day out, put your mountaineering boots under the warm blowers of your car. When you get to the start of the route / day out, you’ll have nice warm boots to put on.

Boots – walk around a bit when you first put them on and then adjust them to the correct tightness for the intended activity. Boots always loosen up in the first few hundred meters.

Walking Poles – they do help. Make sure they’re shorter on the up hills, so that the pole pushes you forward. Make them longer on the downhills so that they can take some of the weight when stepping down off higher steps. These are all superb poles at the price – Walking Poles From Alpidex

Feet – Looking after your feet is really important. There are many ways of doing this, good quality socks, keeping your feet dry and so on. Here are some top tips:

1. Waterproof socks with trainers are a great combo. The socks have a membrane and I generally find that they stop blisters and keep your feet dry – win win. Lightweight, dry and you’re faster on your feet.
2. Talcum powder is a great weapon in the foot maintenance world. It does wonders after a big day on the hill and if you’re running an ultra – try it whilst on a sock change, you’ll love it.
3. Changing your socks on big days out is a game changer.
4. Blisters – don’t wait till later, fix and repair them quickly.
5. Blisters – stop blisters by taping your foot before a big trip or run. I usually tape my little toes before a big run, I also tape my heels before a big mountaineering journey…. Use something really hard wearing, like climbing finger tape. The wider stuff is better – check out this great tape that works really well.

Clothing – always have an extra jacket / warm layer in the bottom of your bag that’s in a waterproof bag. You never know when the temps and weather will change, making sure you have an extra ‘get out of trouble’ layer is a great idea.

Bags – bigger holdall bags are better – fact. Get the biggest one possible and your life will be easier. This is a great bag – Mountain Equipment Big Bag

Bags – having a few zip lock bags to separate items, food, phone, car keys etc etc – it keeps things waterproof and you can see into them. The best ones are from Ikea – check them out here

Crampons – it’s easier to put them on when the crampon is slightly uphill. Try bending one leg, so that you’re kneeling to put the other crampon on. Switch around for the other.

Crampons – spend time adjusting and fitting your crampons indoors. Don’t try and do it on the hill, it will take ages and it’ll get annoying – plus your mountain friends will have walked off.

Crampons – most things can be fixed with a cable tie. Stick a few cable ties in your crampon bag.

Navigation – the Outdoor Active app is superb – outdooractive.com – it’s a free GPX software that can be used on your phone. It helps you know your position on the mountain precisely. This knowledge is always worth being backed up with a map and compass.

Navigation – you can plot your route first, see how far it is and how much height gain is involved. Planning a route is far easier at home before getting to the car park and setting off. This is the best planning tool that I’ve used so far – plotaroute.com

Navigation – check out these navigation courses – ngmountaineering.com

Fitness – here’s some great tips for long distance walking / hiking and running – davetalbot.net

Fitness – if you’re struggling with fitness planning, download our free Event Training Plan (PDF). It covers warming up, training on hills, fitting training into everyday life, and nutrition and hydration.

Head Torch – ditch your throw away batteries and get a rechargeable battery to be used all the time – it will save you money and the environment. Carry spare disposable batteries just in case. For normal hill days I just charge my rechargeable battery and just take that, it lasts for ages. These are great for AAA battery packs – Rechargeable Battery Pack

Baseball Caps – are great for many reasons. They keep the sun out of your eyes. If it’s raining, a baseball cap will be a great additional shield when used with the hood of your waterproof jacket. It’s also great for adding a shield over your sunglasses at higher altitudes when the sun is very bright and the UV rays are strong.

Sunglasses – make sure that you have a good pair of sunglasses for high mountain use. I use Jublo sunglasses that have the wrap around sides for extra protection from those harmful rays – julbo.com

Water bottles – a standard water bottle in conjunction with a flask is the best bet. Although water bladders seem like a good idea – they leak, you can’t see how much water you’re drinking and therefore you can’t regulate the amount you’re drinking and when it’s cold the exposed pipe will freeze. Simple systems work best. Water bladders are good for mountain biking though 🙂

Gaiters – make sure that the strap that goes under your boot is tight. If it’s snowy and you have a loose gaiter strap, the snow will stick to it, build up and then you won’t be able to put your crampons on. Keep it tight, keep it right.

These are some mountaineering top tips. I’ll keep adding and improving this list as a resource for folk. Happy hill days people.

Staying in the Forest of Dean

Our house is in the heart of the Forest of Dean. Nearby Coleford is the administrative centre of the Forest of Dean, with many shops, a cinema, restaurants and pubs.

The Forest of Dean is one of the surviving ancient woodlands of England, covering an area of 110 square kilometres. It’s famous for stunning scenery, wildlife and outdoor activities – cycling, climbing, swimming, canoeing, caving, mountain biking – to name but a few.

The forest is where England meets Wales, separated by the meandering River Wye, you’ll discover a place of beauty and nature. With breathtaking viewpoints, why not walk or cycle the miles of off-road paths, explore the iconic ruins and unique attractions or dine out in some of the local pubs.

The world famous mountain bike centre is just at the end of the road, you can cycle your bike from the front door and drop straight into the purpose made MTB trails. We have several bikes that we don’t mind our guests using. They’re not top end mountain bikes but they are good for exploring with and getting to know the local area. More information below.

This guide is here to help and assist your visit. We’re happy to help and offer advice, so that you can enjoy your stay – we hope you enjoy your stay in the Forest of Dean.

The House

The house was built in 1935 and has been extended over the years. It’s the highest point in the village and has far reaching views across the forest.

The rented annex has its own entrance with a balcony, ensuite bathroom, kitchen and large lounge area. The lounge area has a pull out double bed if you need to sleep four people. We have several bikes that you can borrow at £10 per bike, per day. The kitchen is well stocked and we provide bread, milk, cereal and tea and coffee making facilities.

Towns and Shops

The nearest shop is a medium sized central stores at the bottom of the hill – goo.gl

There’s also a petrol station and shop that’s open later on a Sunday two miles away here – goo.gl

If you’re after a bigger supermarket, there’s a LIDL in Coleford – goo.gl and one in Cinderford – goo.gl

There’s also a Co-op and Tesco express in Coleford.

Monmouth (en.wikipedia.org) is a gorgeous town with a massive selection of restaurants, shops, bakeries, coffee shops and much more. You can cycle down to Monmouth via the cycle path that follows the river Wye – it only takes 30 mins –

Towns and Distances

Approximate travel times by car:

• Symonds Yat – 10 mins
• Monmouth – 20 mins
• Bristol – 40 mins
• Gloucester – 35 mins
• Tintern Abbey – 26 mins
• Brecon Beacons – 40 mins
• Malvern Hills – 40 mins
• Cheltenham – 40 mins
• Cardiff – 55 mins
• Bristol Airport – 1 hr 5 min
• Birmingham Airport – 1 hr 25 mins

Outdoor Activities

The Forest of Dean really does have a huge amount to offer and we can help and offer advice but the below links are useful. Dave – davetalbot.net – is a fully qualified climbing and mountaineering instructor, bike / kayak / canoe guide and can give helpful advice.

Mountain Biking

The forest of Dean is world famous for mountain biking. There’s so much to explore and experience for every level of rider. The main off road cycle centre – forestryengland.uk – is 200 metres from our front door and you can drop straight into the trails – free of charge. Here’s the trail map – CLICK HERE – There’s also so many other areas to explore – just ask, I’ve got the local knowledge for the ‘local’ areas.

For easier cycling trails then the rides at Symonds Yat are perfect, there’s a guide here – CLICK HERE

You can also cycle from the house to Monmouth via the cycle path next to the river Wye. This is known as the Peregrine Path and it’s a fabulous ride – sustrans.org.uk

There’s more information to the whole area here – visitdeanwye.co.uk

Walking

The forest is a beautiful place for exploring and walking. The river wye is a picturesque place for hiking and a pub lunch, at one of the many countryside pubs.

This is a walking guide to the Symonds Yat area – CLICK HERE

Brecon Beacons guide is here – davetalbot.net

Road Biking

There’s so many loops and journeys to be had in and around the Forest of Dean. Cycling from our place to Abergavneny for lunch and back is a great full day ride.

Here is a good article with some shorter rides in the Forrest – komoot.com

Canoeing

The river Wye is a stunning setting for a short afternoon paddle or for a multi day adventure. Here is a full guide to paddling the river Wye, there’s quite a bit of information here – CLICK HERE

If you’re staying with us and fancy a day trip. The section from Hoarwithy down is simply stunning – herefordcanoehire.com

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing can be done indoors and outdoors. There’s so much to go at. This is the local bouldering wall – forestclimbing.co.uk

The nearest big indoor climbing centre is The Warehouse, now at 270 Climbing Park in Bentham, near Gloucester

The best outdoor climbing areas are Symonds Yat – ukclimbing.com and Wintours Leap – ukclimbing.com

I am also around for private guiding, if you want to have the best experience – davetalbot.net

Caving

For the family fun stuff, go and visit – clearwellcaves.com – it’s amazing.

For more ‘full on’ caving experiences you can explore the caves at Symonds Yat. Check out – borderlandsoutdoor.com

Other Activities

Go Ape at Mallards Pike for adults and older children – https://goape.co.uk/locations/forest-of-dean-mallards-pike

And at Beechenhurst for younger children goape.co.uk

Puzzlewood – puzzlewood.net

Trains at – perrygrove.co.uk

Pubs / Restaurants and Cafes

A lovely local pub is The Colliers Inn – it isn’t open on Monday or Tuesday.

The Royal Spring is a great pub and that’s a bit further away here – goo.gl

You can also cycle or walk on relatively flat paths to the village of Five Acres – goo.gl – there’s loads of good pubs serving food in this area.

There’s a good restaurant in Coleford here – boltersincoleford.co.uk

Here’s a list of some other pubs – campingintheforest.co.uk

There’s a good cafe at Beechenhurst and at Symonds Yat – Symonds Yat Rock Cafe

We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay – Dave & Becky

SEA 2 SUMMIT CHALLENGE – ‘you haven’t done it until you’ve climbed from Sea to Summit’

Introduction

The idea was simple – start at the sea and finish at the summit! on this occasion linking up a huge geological ridge feature that rises all the way from sea level to the summit of the Bernia mountain. It allows for a superb running, walking or climbing challenge to take place.

Adventure: noun

• an exciting or very unusual experience.
• participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises:
• the spirit of adventure.
• a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.

Challenge: noun

• a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.

The Sea2Summit Challenge is the dream-child of myself and Chris Newton-Govard. I first met Chris when I was 22, fresh faced and armed with enthusiasm equal to that of the duracell bunny. I had just passed my Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Award (MIA or now MCI) and had been given the opportunity to fly out to Spain where Chris lives in the Costa Blanca region with his wife Lisa and two boys. I was working for his company at the time – Rock and Sun. My first days out were spent testing my skills as an instructor; it was essential that he made sure I was up to the job of guiding clients up big multi-pitch routes and along technical ridges – afterwards it was time to be put to work on the sun drenched cliffs of sunny Spain. Fifteen years later, I still work and play on these same cliffs.

The Costa Blanca region of Spain has to be one of the best places on planet earth for adventures of all kinds. Where else during the winter months can you have continuous good weather – plus rock climbing, scrambling, swimming and endless roads of perfectly smooth tarmac winding their way through beautiful scenery which might just be perfect for road cycling……..did I mention that it’s cheap too? – maybe I should be sponsored by the Costa Blanca tourism board…..

The idea behind the Sea2Summit challenge is simple – get from the sea to the summit under you own steam. However, there are a few obstacles that stand in your way. We’ve created two versions of this challenge. One that is for walkers or trail runners, it involves no rope work or technical ground but ticks all the peaks. The other, a climbing challenge that summits the same peaks but via rock climbing to get to them. The rock climbs are on large cliffs of around 300 metres in height. We’ve chosen to go up via the easiest or most amenable climb in order to encourage others to ‘have a go’ at the challenge.

There are several GPS points that one must visit on each section, you simply record these to prove that you’ve been to each point. These can then be submitted to the website (sea2summit.info) to have your place in the Sea2Summit ‘Wall of Fame’.

The standard walking / trail running challenge involves around 20 miles of distance, 2500 meters height gain and multiple summits. The climbing version involves the same but with the additional three big multi pitch route and an epic crossing of the mighty Bernia ridge.

These are the rock climbing routes for the standard challenge:

South Face of the Peñón de Ifach via Vía Valencianos (F5c 8 pitches 245m)

Sierra de Toix, Toix Este via Horst (F5a 5 pitches 139m)

Mascarat Gorge via Llobet/Bertomeu and the continuation ridge (HVS 7 pitches 275m and continuation ridge F4 3 pitches 110m)

Sierra de Bernia ridge – the whole thing, not just the middle bit described in the guide book. (F4+ lots of pitches and several abseils)

Plus the walking / trail running challenge peaks:

Peñon de Ifach 332m

Sierra de Toix 338m

Sierra de Bernia East Peak 902m

Sierra de Bernia Summit 1126m

I arrived in Spain after a 4 am start – tired but keen to crack on with our week and adventures planned. The adventure started with a local Pego 14km Trail race, a warm up lap of multi-pitch sea cliff and then it was ready for the challenge.

We are essentially big kids but now in a middle aged sort of way. We start each sentence with “I used to” and “when I”…….so it seemed only appropriate that we set an adventure to ‘challenge ourselves’ and pull ourselves off the couch for another final round bout in Spain.

“What mask do you want?” Chris asked, “What?” I replied. “They’ve got these great comedy masks in the shopping centre, I am going to be a unicorn…..” Classic, obviously you need a comedy mask, it’s important to add unnecessary weight to your rucksack when trying to complete a massive day out running and climbing – isn’t it? Well, you need some form of slapstick item – that’s the rules, we made them up. Our idea was to add masks to our arsenal and take unnecessary photos at each summit. I was going to be a t-rex.

That evening we did, what I call, ‘a rack party’ – get all your climbing kit out, then dump it on the floor and spend a good half hour trying to get each other to justify – ‘why you need to take that piece of equipment’. All of the climbing routes on this challenge are complex lines that weave around trying to find the easiest line through the vertical maze.

Anyway, the final equipment we took for this challenge is as follows: 70 meter 7.8mm rope, 12 quickdraws, 3 slings, 1-6 wires, climbing shoes and running shoes, food / water, personal climbing equipment and of course, two comedy masks….. The above rack is quite slim, it is advised that you use your own judgement and skill level to decide what to take – under no circumstances should our choice of rack, or facial attire, be deemed sensible or fit for purpose.

The day before the Sea2Summit challenge I took the time to stash 4 litres of water, a packet of crisps, a few nibbles and a lovely home made sandwich just before the Mascarat Gorge. Another stash of food and water was dropped in Altea hills. Southern coastal regions of Spain are warm even in the coldest months of the year. Carrying enough water to sustain oneself throughout the day would be a formidable and tiresome task in itself. Dropping water and food in several spots was our only option. We got through at least 8 – 10 litres of fluid each during the day and were still heavily dehydrated by the end.

The Challenge Day

Your time starts at the sea-level helipad right on the promenade at the base of the Penon. It was just after 8 am and the day was just breaking. Go!!! We took a quick photo with our masks, t-rex and unicorn side by side, we ripped them off and then it was time to – leg it.

Depending on if you’re doing the climbing or running challenge, you either run around and scamper up the path to the summit of the Peñon de Ifach (332 meters), or make a mad dash towards the looming, swarming mass of rock that makes up the south face.

The first route – Via Valencianos is approached by scrambling up a loose path tracking underneath the overhanging south face. There are sharp bushes here and there and a couple of rock steps. If you were to climb this route at nesting season, the seagulls that live on the face turn into swooping, diving monsters. It would be safer to climb a route inhabited by velociraptors. The winter months are a far better time for this challenge – it would be too hot at any other time of year anyway.

We reached the top of the path, already sweating. I flaked the rope out onto the floor while Chris was changing from trainers into rock shoes. We tied on, I put him on belay and he set off up the first pitch. We had a thin 70 meter rope and very little gear. The aim was to move light and fast. Chris sped up the route and ran the first two pitches together. I seconded, grabbed the rack and carried on climbing past him up towards the crux corner. This corner is very famous – not because of the quality of the climbing but because it’s slipperier than a Butlin’s water slide. Luckily there are a few bolts and a couple of threads that you can pull on, stand on and grapple with to make upward progress. Anything goes to get past this section – this is known as aid climbing and when trying to move as fast as possible up a huge rock face it’s vital to grab and haul your way up as fast as you can. There is no time to dither with 800 meters of rock climbing, 20 miles of distance to travel and only 11 hours of daylight.

My fight on the crux was short lived and I heaved quickly past it but in my haste I wandered off route, climbing too far right up the wrong groove. I heard shouting from Chris, I assumed he was offering words of encouragement but instead he was trying to tell me to ‘get back down’ and head across to the belay on the left before the slabs. Eventually I paid attention, reversed, and got back on track. However, this had lost us precious time. We speeded up our efforts..

A few pitches later, some grunting, a few run outs and much sweating we pulled ourselves onto the summit in a time of 1 hour 6 minutes – which for a climbing lap of the Peñon isn’t too bad. A quick summit photo – of course with the comedy masks on, we coiled the ropes and began the rundown to Calpe town.

That morning we had left Chris’s campervan on one of the side streets of Calpe. We headed to it, filled our water bottles, ate some food and set off again. We had taken our climbing equipment off and stowed it in our rucksacks. It’s fair to say, despite our best efforts, we were not fast and light. Food, water, ropes, rock shoes, harness, helmet…..comedy masks – all add up in weight and this slowed us to an ultra runners shuffle. For those not familiar with the term ‘ultra runners shuffle’ – it’s kind of the equivalent of driving a car with a flat tyre to a garage to get it fixed. You know you’ll get there but it won’t be fast or pretty. Plus this was a marathon not a sprint. There’s no point clocking 10 km in the first hour, then ten hours later, burn out and grind to a halt. So, with our shuffling pace we marched, skipped and slogged across town. Navigating the maze of roads with a little help from Google. It took us around 50 minutes to cover the 6 km to our next destination – Toix.

Almost every climber who has ever been to Costa Blanca climbing will know this place. Toix has everything. Sea cliffs, slabs, steep walls, great views….it’s got it all. It also marks the start of the continuation ridge that links the Peñon to the summit of Bernia. This section was the smallest and easiest climb of the day but it was smack bang in full sunlight and it was baking hot. We tried to nestle under a bush and grab some shade before setting off but we were getting fried.

Not many climbers go to Toix Este and that’s fine, it’s in the sun and there’s better climbing elsewhere but that’s not the point. It links up this marvelous journey and therefore – it’s happening. We went for a route called ‘Horst’ – it’s a grade F5 and has 5 pitches that weave around and get you as high as possible on the East face. We climbed this route in one pitch with some moving together as the angle and difficulty eased. Repeat process: Harness off, switch shoes, coil ropes, masks on, take photo, masks off, pack bag, bag on – leg it.

This time we ran along the spine of Toix to the telephone masts which provide a GPS point / check point on both the climbing and walking challenge. Hitting this we dropped down on rocky, loose ground through the small army of climbers that were doing battle with gravity. It must have seemed slightly odd watching two people whiz past, heading off in a crazed manner towards the road without a single casual glance at what was happening above on the rocks.

We found our stash of water and food on the main road just after Toix. Stash number two. This couldn’t have come at a better time. Hot, hungry and thirsty we were. Lucky, my food was fine and hadn’t been torn to bits by rodents. Chris’s food however been attacked by mice and they nibbled their way into his lovely looking baguette – poor Chris. After some grumbling we scampered off down the highway to the gorge of Mascarat.

This place is simply mega. Huge towering rock walls divide a gorge, some 250 meters deep. Our climb didn’t start from the very bottom but off the old access bridge that’s around 60 meters up.

The route we were climbing is ‘Llobet/Bertomeu’, it’s a classic 275 meter HVS standard climb. The majority of the route is fairly straightforward, the crux corner has bolts and these can be used in any way you choose. I’d done this route quite a few times with clients over the years and we made good time stringing pitches together until we caught a party of three on the pitch before the crux. This wasn’t a place to overtake in a friendly manner so we calmly waited inching our way up the wall when we could. They moved into the crux corner pitch and I took over the lead from Chris – following the party in front.

Overtaking people on multi-pitch trad routes is always a bit of a faff. Belay positions, small ledges, getting your wires crossed and of course your ropes, can make the whole thing a bit like unblocking a toilet – no one likes doing it but sometimes you have to.

The party in front kindly said I could pass them at the top of the crux pitch. This meant leading straight into the next steep pitch and linking two pitches together. With three sets of eyes staring at me, the pressure was on. We didn’t have much of a rack, in fact we only had 6 wires and climbing HVS trad with 6 wires as your rack can be a touch frightening. There used to be a fixed peg or two but now, for some reason they’ve been removed. At one point I was 14 metres above my gear and sweating like a gibbon in a sauna. Such stuff makes for sporting memorie! A quick whip whop and round the corner and I reached the belay and brought Chris upp. The continuation ridge that follows was new to both of us. We thought that no one had climbed it but then we spotted some tat dangling off the thin, knife like ridge – someone had climbed it before – game on. This was only a couple of rope lengths and then we emerged onto a ledge.

The next stage involved fighting through jungle-like vegetation to making our way up to the Altea hills and another phone mast. It didn’t take too long to get there but there were some slips, trips and falls along the way. Neither of us had hiked this link-up before and there were still many question marks. We were very much building the plane while flying it.

At the top of the Altea hills is another checkpoint and stunning views in all directions but what’s more, it was getting late. From this high point we could look around us and see what we’d done that day – a lot!!! but there was a huge amount left to do and a mammoth amount of height gain coming up. Altea was our last resupply spot, so we gave ourselves 20 minutes or so of rest, eating, drinking and tapping our feet for the next chapter to begin. What lay after this was the Bernia ridge, the whole thing, in the dark. We made sure our water bottles were topped up, we added gloves, a hat and more food into our bags and set off up the long spine towards the first peak of the Bernia ridge.

We walked this next 700 meters of height gain in glorious fading light and at a perfect temperature, for the first time that day. Just as it was getting dark we topped onto Bernia East summit. From here we could just make out the enormous dragons-back like ridge of spikes, going on and on into the distance.

Both of us had done Bernia Ridge many times before. Chris was the person that bolted it for the masses and it’s now quite a famous challenge in itself. Neither of us however had done it at night. Things change and distort in the dark. What normally would of been easy and straightforward navigation turned into self doubting wrong turns and back tracking. It’s not an easy ridge. It has many abseils, climbing sections up to F4+, knife edge moves above wildly exposed positions, loose ledges and many ups and downs. We managed to move reasonably quickly and soloed all of the climbing sections. After passing the final climbing section our legs started to tire.

Twelve and a half hours had elapsed since that morning, so long ago, at the Peñon helipad. Dehydration and tiredness were starting to kick in and our steps weren’t as springy as they had been at the start of the day. We still had puff left but it wasn’t full steam ahead. The final section of the Bernia is a real mirage. The summit is just there but then you drop 100 meters of height gain only to come straight back up and then down again. It really takes some stern words to keep the tempo up.

The standard stone trig point loomed into view – it wasn’t a sprint finish but we slapped the top of the Bernia 1126 meters in a time of 13 hours and 24 minutes.

Once again it was time to don the unicorn and t-rex, take a photo, coil the rope, pack a bag and this time – walk down in a safe and controlled manner. It was windy, really windy, we were tired and on the descent you’re surrounded by large sheer drops on either side. It was pitch black. The path wiggles its way through this maze . We were using the GPS maps on my phone to navigate it – I highly advise the App Viewranger for this.

Plodding back down, we made it back to the car by 11 pm, with a car to car time of just over 15 hours. We slumped into the front seats, drove to Calpe to pick up the campervan and then back to Chris’s for a glass of wine and a big night’s sleep.

What an incredible adventure day in the hills. Where else is there a Sea2Summit challenge I wonder………..

Ultimate 3 Peaks Challenge

The Ultimate 3 Peaks consists of scaling the three highest mountains in each of the national regions: Ben Nevis in Scotland (1344m), Scafell Pike in England (978m) and Snowdon in Wales (1085m). However, rather than increasing your carbon boot print you need to cycle between the mountains instead of driving. This radicalises the usual 3 Peaks Challenge into the ultimate duathlon (an event with running / cycling) test: 450 miles of cycling and 24 miles of steep hiking.

The Three Peaks Challenge has had some stick over the years due to its environmental impact. The first issue is the amount of diesel burned. Secondly, when you’re flooring your accelerator pedal trying to shave minutes off your time, you are not contributing to the local communities.

This is not the case seated on your bicycle. Accommodation will need to be sorted, bacon butties will need to be eaten and bicycle shops visited (possibly). The local community will love you! Not only that, you’ll be exploring the best cycling roads that Britain has to offer. Cycling into one of our national parks, then scaling its highest mountain has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’.

Get in touch for further details.

Going from North to South is advised – when looking at a map – that’s downhill, right?! The bigger days are in Scotland and saving the legs for the English and Welsh sections of this workout is recommended. The current record for the Ultimate 3 Peaks is an unfathomable 37 hours and 33 minutes set by Ross Malpass solo and without drafting!! So rather than going like the clappers and burning yourself out, here’s a suggested itinerary for a more leisurely 7 days….

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Fort William; Climb Ben Nevis (Hike 11 miles); Cycle to Fort William (Cycle 3 miles)

Day 2: Cycle Fort William to Paisley (Cycle 102 miles) The route heads south to the magnificent Glencoe, through Rannoch moor, then along the glorious banks of Loch Lomond.

Day 3: Day 3: Cycle Paisley to Gretna (Cycle 93 miles)

Day 4: Cycle Gretna to Seathwaite (Cycle 57 miles); Climb Scafell Pike (Hike 10 miles); Cycle to Keswick (Cycle 9 miles) Scotland is left behind as you cycle south into England and on to the stunning scenery of the Lake District.

Day 5: Cycle Keswick to Warrington (Cycle 104 miles)

Day 6: Cycle Warrington to Betws y Coed (Cycle 79 miles)

Day 7: Cycle Betws ­y­ Coed to Pen y Pass (Cycle 11 miles); Climb Snowdon (Hike 7 miles); Cycle to Betws ­y­ Coed (Cycle 11 miles – all downhill 🙂 You’ve just completed one of the toughest challenges in the UK – superb effort. Challenge Complete!!

Facts:

• 28 miles of hiking
• 450 miles cycling
• 3064 metres of height gain hiking
• 6500 metres of height gain cycling
• Total calories burnt – loads!!!

This is a monumental challenge and one of the toughest in the UK. You could add a swim in each country and turn it into the ultimate triathlon……..

2020 Inspiration

I first saw this video in 2019 and thought it was superb so, I am going to share it early in 2020 for some inspiration to go and get things done. I hope you like it.

Canyoning: an adrenaline fueled descent down a gorge carved out by mother nature’s super force – water. Dave Talbot – descends further into this new and upcoming adventure sport.

With so many new sports emerging, the combination between one sport and another is so appealing, think – kitesurfing, paragliding, downhill mountain biking, indoor rock climbing……. Canyoning is just that. It takes the best elements from different sports and wraps them all into one exhilarating adventure. Cliff jumping, water slides, abseiling, zip wires, nature….what’s not to like?

I spoke with the with the Canyoning Company (thecanyoningcompany.co.uk) and asked a few questions to find out more:

What’s the difference between gorge walking and canyoning?

As an adventure sport, Canyoning is booming in the UK. We are constantly asked “what is the difference between Canyoning and Gorge Walking” (or ghill scrambling if you’re from the lake district). Both involve rock and water adventures journeying by foot along a river system, gorge, or canyon.

Gorge walking does what it says on the tin. In general terms Gorge walking is walking and climbing up a gorge . This can involve jumps, climbing and scrambling and on occasion some small slides, wading through the river and climbing behind waterfalls. Moving upstream is one of the crucial differences between canyoning and gorge walking. Gorge walking is more of a low level activity and a great introduction to combined rock and water experiences. Gorge walking is a great activity for youth groups and families. Gorge walking can be done in most areas of the UK as all you need is a river with some pools, rapids or small waterfalls. This is why when you were younger or went away on your school adventure week you might have done gorge walking as an activity.

Canyoning is a very new adventure sport to hit the UK. Canyoning developed as an exploration technique, pioneered when mountaineers and cavers wanted to investigate deep canyons or gorges in mountainous areas. Over the last decade, this activity grew into a sport in its own right. Very specific skills were developed for safely getting down these canyons. As Canyoning down-stream, often very fast rivers,, this throws a lot more into the mix. On a canyoning trip you are likely to encounter abseils, jumps, big slides, flumes and zip lines. You will definitely wear a harness, use ropes and see many waterfalls throughout the whole of your journey. Canyoning is a lot more adventurous and full on than gorge walking, but with the right instructor it is a very safe and extremely fun experience that will blow your mind!

Where can I go canyoning?

Canyoning is often found in mountainous areas where rivers carve deep gorges out of the rock. Due to the natural erosion of the water, beautiful rock architecture can be found. Waterfalls create a natural water park. Some canyons can be technical (involving ropes and tricky moves). At the easier end, many are accessible to all and just involve simple jumping, wading and walking. The best canyoning locations in the UK are found in Scotland, although there are some canyons in North Wales and the Lake District. Bruar, Dollar, Alva and the Grey Mares Tail are some of the best canyons in Scotland.

Where’s the best place in Europe to go?

Internationally, some of the best canyons in the world can be found in Europe. The French and the Spanish were the first to start canyoning and thus a huge array of canyons have been discovered in the mountainous regions. The Pyrenees is a Mecca for canyoning. The climate during the summer months is very pleasant offering the most comfortable environment to be in the water. Ariege is based just over an hour from Toulouse, and right in the middle of canyoning country.

In the USA, Utah and Arizona are undeniably the most well known places to go Canyoning in America, however Colorado is a real gem. Let the team of Canyoning Colorado show you why Ouray County is world-famous for canyoning.

Guided trips vs self guided exploration?

Canyoning is an adventure sport, and like any adventure sport has its risks. If you are not skilled or knowledgeable about your environment, the risks can become higher. If this is the case, consider joining a trip with an accredited canyoning provider. Here you will be accompanied by an experienced Instructor and given all the appropriate equipment to stay safe and comfortable on your trip. By using an ICOpro (International Canyoning Organisation for Professionals) accredited centre you can be assured your instructor, equipment and canyon is at the highest possible standard.

If you are going it alone, make sure you have the correct equipment and skills. If you would like to expand your knowledge and canyoning skills, Courses are available to get you fully competent in this new adventure sport. By joining an ICOpro Canyoneer level 1-2-3 (CA123) course you will become autonomous in the canyon environment, be able to hire equipment from canyoning centres, and be free to explore these beautiful places with your own group.

Water levels – they must make a big difference?

The flow of water and water level in each canyon can be subject to change. Sometimes this can happen very quickly after heavy or sustained rain, and can pose a risk to canyoning. It’s always important to check the weather at least 3 days prior to your canyoning trip, on the day, and during your descent. By going with an accredited provider this will be done for you. When the canyon has lots of water in it, it can become more fun and pose more challenges, but with too much water it can become dangerous. Always seek advice from local canyoning guides, instructors and companies before you go.

Can I go canyoning by myself?

For safety reasons, going Canyoning solo is not recommended. Canyoning is almost always a group activity. It relies on everyone taking a role on the trip and helping each other out. Even if it’s your first time canyoning, you will still find yourself helping and enjoying the thrill of being part of a team. The ideal group size is around 6-10 people.

What equipment do I need to go canyoning?

Canyoning in the UK is almost always in water for at least part of the trip, so an essential item is a wetsuit. Choosing the right wetsuit is important for you to stay warm and comfortable. You can get canyoning-specific wetsuits which are usually two-piece wetsuits and are thicker than most suits, usually around 5mm. You will wear a canyoning harness, so you can be secured to the ropes either to abseil or move across exposed areas. When you go canyoning you will always wear a helmet. Depending on the canyon, you may get a white-water helmet or a mountaineering helmet. It is now seen a best practice to wear a mountaineering helmet because canyoning is classed as a mountaineering sport. If you join an organised group, all the above equipment will be issued to you before you set off.

Finally, but most importantly you will need some shoes. Canyoning can be very slippery and involves walking, climbing and scrambling. Having good shoes will make or break your canyoning experience. Canyoning-specific shoes exist, offering good protection, grips and support.; if it’s your first time giving it a go, ordinary trainers, laced up tight will probably do the job.

Canyoning Summary…….

With so many new adventure sports emerging, it can be difficult to keep up! But canyoning has a special magic and sees many happy thrill seekers coming back time and time again. What ever could be next…… extreme ironing………