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Promoting Safe Practice to Protect Our Canyons Future

Canyon Log has been created to assist recreational and commercial canyoning in the UK. To facilitate its development, we provide free and updated information to the canyoning community, promoting the safe practice of the sport. 

Canyon Log needs your help! – Canyons are always changing which means information for them needs to be kept up to date. If you think a page on Canyon Log is wrong or misleading, please use our ‘Log’ page to ensure the information online is updated and kept relevant.

Promoting Safe Practice to Protect Our Canyons Future

Canyon Log has been created to assist recreational and commercial canyoning in the UK. To facilitate its development, we provide free and updated information to the canyoning community, promoting the safe practice of the sport. 

Canyon Log needs your help! – Canyons are always changing which means information for them needs to be kept up to date. If you think a page on Canyon Log is wrong or misleading, please use our ‘Log’ page to ensure the information online is updated and kept relevant.

Canyoning

For the most relevant information, Select the category that applies to you.

Novice

If you’re a novice one or more of the following applies: never been in a canyon  without a guide, has little or no knowledge of canyoning practices, has no / very little experience in any similar outdoor sports. Interested in finding out more about canyoning.

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Skilled

If you’re skilled you may have some experience canyoning without a guide, have some knowledge of the sport or have extensive knowledge of similar sports such as Climbing / Mountaineering / Kayaking / Caving. You would now like to improve your canyoning skills

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Experienced

If you are experienced, you should have experience canyoning in multiple canyons in different locations, be able to perform safe rescue techniques, Comfortable leading novice groups down low grade canyons without compromising safety and efficiency.

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General

A range of information to better understand the content posted on Canyon Log

Board of Advisors

Have your say about the canyons in your area, show your support to the community and help develop canyoning in the UK in a positive way.

Board of Advisors

Have your say about the canyons in your area, show your support to the community and help develop canyoning in the UK in a positive way.

Board of Advisors

Access Issues​

The vast majority of canyons in Wales and England are surrounded by or on private land. If we as a community are irresponsible in these canyons, they will be closed and we will lose any chance to access them in the future. Currently, Canyoning is facing strong opposition from multiple groups such as: Local councils, regional Councils, Local residents, Natural Resources Wales, National Trust and Multiple Landowners. Please follow these access guidelines.

Access Issues​

The vast majority of canyons in Wales and England are surrounded by or on private land. If we as a community are irresponsible in these canyons, they will be closed and we will lose any chance to access them in the future. Currently, Canyoning is facing strong opposition from multiple groups such as: Local councils, regional Councils, Local residents, Natural Resources Wales, National Trust and Multiple Landowners. Please follow these access guidelines.

View north wales gorge user agreement
View access guidelines

Guided Canyons​

Guiding companies in the UK are largely responsible for the surge of interest in canyoning over recent years, many companies share canyons which can be busy during the summer months. We recommend avoiding canyons which are guided, however if you do plan on entering a canyon which is guided, always call the operator to find out when they are next heading in prior to a trip to ensure there are no queues in the canyon. 

If you would would like to learn some new skills and meet new people, guided trips are often the best way to go. 

Guided Canyons​

Guiding companies in the UK are largely responsible for the surge of interest in canyoning over recent years, many companies share canyons which can be busy during the summer months. We recommend avoiding canyons which are guided, however if you do plan on entering a canyon which is guided, always call the operator to find out when they are next heading in prior to a trip to ensure there are no queues in the canyon. 

If you would would like to learn some new skills and meet new people, guided trips are often the best way to go. 

View our recommended guides
View info for commercial Operators

Canyon Grading

Every canyon has a grade. Knowing the grade of the canyon before heading in is essential to avoid finding yourself in a situation you are unable to manage safely. At Canyon Log we recognise the advantages of both the ACA and the FFME grading system which is why we publish both, the ACA and FFME grade when possible. This allows us to make a fair comparison and get a better idea of what to expect in the canyon.

Canyon Grading

Every canyon has a grade. Knowing the grade of the canyon before heading in is essential to avoid finding yourself in a situation you are unable to manage safely. At Canyon Log we recognise the advantages of both the ACA and the FFME grading system which is why we publish both, the ACA and FFME grade when possible. This allows us to make a fair comparison and get a better idea of what to expect in the canyon.

View FFME grading system
View ACA grading system

Canyon Topos

Canyon Topos can give us a great idea about what to expect in a canyon. After flash floods canyons can completely change therefore an older canyon topo can require updating, If you notice a canyon topo is wrong please get in contact (Canyonlog@mail.com) and we will update it.

Canyon Topos

Canyon Topos can give us a great idea about what to expect in a canyon. After flash floods canyons can completely change therefore an older canyon topo can require updating, If you notice a canyon topo is wrong please get in contact (Canyonlog@mail.com) and we will update it.

View canyon topo guide
View canyon topo definitions

Affiliated Partners

To support positive growth in the canyoning industry, we’re promoting the best names in canyon specific gear and resources without charge. Our goal is to facilitate the future development and success of our affiliates. 

Affiliated Partners

To support positive growth in the canyoning industry, we’re promoting the best names in canyon specific gear and resources without charge. Our goal is to facilitate the future development and success of our affiliates. 

View our affiliated partners
Adventure Canyon

Adventure Canyons should include at least two of the following situations:

  • An approach with over 30 minuets off track. 
  • Majority natural or ghosted anchors. 
  • An approach and exit time total of more than 1.5hrs.
  • Uncommon features which may be challenging to overcome. 
  • Complex anchors required.

Adventure Canyons should include at least two of the following situations:

  • An approach with over 30 minuets off track. 
  • Majority natural or ghosted anchors. 
  • An approach and exit time total of more than 1.5hrs.
  • Uncommon features which may be challenging to overcome. 
  • Complex anchors required.
Sport Canyon

Sport Canyons should include at least two of the following situations:

  • An approach and exit time total of less than 1.5hrs.
  • Majority bolted anchors.
  • No complex anchors required.
  • Total duration is less than 4 hrs.

Sport Canyons should include at least two of the following situations:

  • An approach and exit time total of less than 1.5hrs.
  • Majority bolted anchors.
  • No complex anchors required.
  • Total duration is less than 4 hrs.
Gorge Scramble

A Gorge scramble should include at least one of the following situations:

  • Can be ascended or descended. 
  • Majority / all of the journey does not require rope.
  • No more than 1 abseil.

A Gorge scramble should include at least one of the following situations:

  • Can be ascended or descended. 
  • Majority / all of the journey does not require rope.
  • No more than 1 abseil.
These are 3 different styles of canyon, when situations cross over, the most appropriate style will be allocated.

Flood Risk

A subjective assessment of risk based on the likelihood and consequence of a flash flood. The following factors are considered: ​

Flood Risk

A subjective assessment of risk based on the likelihood and consequence of a flash flood. The following factors are considered: ​

Gradient
Ground Type
Escapability
Dams
Catchment Area
Vegetation

Rock Type

The name of bedrock that has formed the majority of the canyon. The type of rock heavily influences the canyons character.

Rock Type

The name of bedrock that has formed the majority of the canyon. The type of rock heavily influences the canyons character.

Igneous - open, large waterfalls, deep pools
Metamorphic - deep, medium waterfalls, mixed pools
Sedimentary - mixed open and deep, small waterfalls, shallow pools

Minimum Ropes

The minimum amount of rope required for a safe descent. Be aware, the minimum rope does not correspond to the highest drop. Best practice is to always carry extra incase rope is damaged during a descent.

Minimum Ropes

The minimum amount of rope required for a safe descent. Be aware, the minimum rope does not correspond to the highest drop. Best practice is to always carry extra incase rope is damaged during a descent.

1X 60m - The most rope required to abseil is 30m
2X 30m - The most rope required to abseil is 30m but a hand or safety line is required elsewhere.

Catchment Area

A rough measurement of area that feeds the canyon, also known as watershed. This area usually has a direct impact on water levels. Be aware of the following in large catchments;​

Catchment Area

A rough measurement of area that feeds the canyon, also known as watershed. This area usually has a direct impact on water levels. Be aware of the following in large catchments;​

May take longer for levels to rise
Dams are often found upstream, may cause sudden flooding
Volume of water may increase rapidly.

Posts

Find answers and discussions to some common canyoning related questions and topics.

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Polls

Unbiased ratings of the best gear available for canyoning, As voted for, by our followers on Instagram. 

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Fun to Effort

Sometimes grades don’t give you the full story, Walk in’s may be too long, Pitches may be dull. The Fun to Effort Ratio is a subjective assessment of a journey created to highlight great canyon trips that may otherwise be overlooked due to its grade. Below is an example of considerations that contribute to a score. The formula is Fun – Effort = Score. 

Fun
0 - No interesting elements.
1 - One interesting element.
2 - Less than three interesting elements.
3 - Multiple interesting elements.
4 - Continuous interesting elements throughout.
Effort
0 - Very Easy access / Walk in + Out <15 mins
1 - Easy access / Walk in + Out <30 mins
2 - Moderate access / Walk in + Out <45 mins
3 - Difficult access / Walk in + Out <1.5 hrs
4 - Very Difficult access / Walk in + Out >1.5 hrs

Progression

Developing skills is essential to prevent skill fade and keep up to date with potential changes in practices. When you decide to develop your skills you have the following options.

Qualification

Duration

It can take a long time before you are ready to undertake a qualification due to the prerequisites required.

Cost

The cost will vary depending on qualification. Due to the amount of time required prior to getting qualified this option is more expensive.

Employment

Finding employment in the industry can be much easier with the relevant qualifications.

Skill Fade

If you forget skills you will have to pay for a refresher course.

Online courses

Duration

It can take a long time before you are ready to undertake a qualification due to the prerequisites required.

Cost

The courses can seem expensive however no other costs are incurred and therefore works out much cheeper than qualifications.

Employment

Employers do not recognise online training as you are unable to prove your ability to perform the skills taught.

Skill Fade

Online training course doesn't expire so you are always able to go over content whenever you want.

Coaching

Duration

It can take a long time before you are ready to undertake a qualification due to the prerequisites required.

Cost

The Cost will vary depending on the provider you choose, however they usually work out the roughly the same as online training.

Employment

Employers do not always recognise coaching as the content covered is not standardised.

Skill Fade

If you forget skills you will have to pay for a refresher course.

Canyoning Abroad

Planning a Canyoning holiday? Take a look at these websites to find the information you need. The majority of sites listed below have information for several countries, Websites such as Rope Wiki and Descente canyon contain the most information for canyons around the world. Local websites to the particular country will usually contain the most detailed and updated information therefore it can be worth looking around. 

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