Gorge Walking Stag Do

A gorge walking stag do involves very little actual walking. You climb, scramble, wade, slide and swim your way along a river gorge, following a guide through waterfalls, plunge pools and natural rock slides. One minute you’re ankle deep, the next you’re up to your chin and wondering where the bottom went.

Gorge walking is basically being a kid mucking about in a stream again, with a helmet, a wetsuit and someone qualified making sure nobody does anything daft. Well, nothing too daft. It’s a stag do.

No skill, no previous experience, no competitive sulking. Everyone’s equally rubbish at clambering up a slippery waterfall, which makes for great entertainment. You’ll be giving each other a leg up, hauling each other out of pools and crying with laughter at whoever slides down a rock face on his backside.

The jumps are the bit everyone remembers. Most gorges have a few pools deep enough to leap into, and every jump is optional. In practice that just means the stag gets a lot of encouragement. Loud encouragement.

It suits mixed groups too. The fit lads get a workout, the less sporty ones get through it with a helping hand, and the stag’s dad can take it at his own pace without anyone noticing.

Wales is the heartland, with the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia full of gorges and waterfalls. The Lake District and Scotland are just as good, and generally colder. If you want a city for the night, Cardiff works well for South Wales, while a Scottish gorge pairs nicely with a night out in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Plenty of stag groups make it a cabin weekend instead. Gorge in the day, barbecue and beers at the lodge at night, nobody needs a taxi.

• Kit. Wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids are normally provided. You bring swimwear, old trainers with grip and a full change of clothes.
• Swimming. You’ll be in deep water at times, so everyone needs to be comfortable swimming. Flag any nervous swimmers when you book.
• Sober start. No drinking before. Wet rocks are slippery enough without help.
• Weather. Heavy rain can make a gorge too dangerous, so ask about the backup plan. Many providers have an alternative route or activity ready.
• Timing. A morning session leaves the afternoon free for a hot shower and a long pub lunch.
• Bring a towel. A proper one, not the hotel’s. You’ll be cold, wet and dripping on the minibus seats.

Gorge walking sits perfectly alongside other outdoor stuff. Try coasteering for the seaside version, add white water rafting if the lads want more speed, or go underground with caving if they haven’t had enough of being cold and damp.