Acharn
Summary
A short, easy access canyon with excellent features.
Canyon Descent:
100m
Highest Drop:
32m
Canyon Length:
620m
Minimum Ropes:
1X 65m
Flood Risk:
Moderate
Access Type:
Public
Rock Type:
Semipelite
Catchment:
16.5km2
Duration: in, down and out:
IN: 25 mins DOWN: 45 mins OUT: 10 mins
Anchors
Mixed
Notes
Please do not get changed, make a load of noise outside the local residents houses, they (understandably) get quite upset about this, A good changing area is in the trees towards the pump house. A hydro scheme is located above this canyon check water levels before entering. Can be descended in higher flows. if the rocks in the stream by the car park are covered, do not descend. Often this canyon is just a trickle.
Description
Approach by Car: Park next to the playground, ensure you don't block access, there is enough room for two small cars here.
Approach by foot: follow the track uphill past the first bridge, cross the second and get in above it.
Canyon entry: Once you reach the bridge follow the track into the gorge.
Canyon descent: From the bridge follow the river down until you reach the Jump/Slide, make sure you check the pool depth before jumping/ sliding. Another abseil is further down the gorge however, decently not worth the extra 15 min slippery scramble.
Exit: the canyon will suddenly flatten out after the large falls and you will find yourself trying not to fall on the slippery rocks. Climb out TR to rejoin the track back to the car park.
Escapes: Escape may be possible at points however use extreme caution as the bank is very steep.
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Have You Descended This Canyon Recently?
If so we would love to hear from you in the comment section below! Let the whole community know more about this canyon, Information such as time taken to: approach, descend and exit are extremely helpful, as well as any new hazards you may have come across whilst canyoning at this location.
If any information on this page is missing, incorrect or out of date, please get in contact with us directly so we can rectify as soon as possible.
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability is taken for any harm, death or loss of property from using the information found on Canyon Log. Topo features, descriptions and notes may not be accurate and could be misleading. You must carry anchor building materials, be experienced and use your own judgement when canyoning. Flooding can completely change the layout, features and conditions. Insufficient experience may result in death.

Medium flow today. Lots of excellent jumping spots that can be repeated as the canyon is quite escapable. A big tree is down mid canyon forming a cave like feature below the roots
Descended on 07/08/24. Team of 3. Water was high(ish) good trip, definitely get out after the big drops, the long gorge scramble to a slippery 4m abseil isn’t worth it! the consistent nature of the main canyon makes it a worthwhile trip. Careful of the sharp edge if using the A1 abseil on the TR.
Large fallen tree across canyon mid way down (by down climb a couple of pools before the falls) – currently easy to climb under if it stays put! Incredibly dry with some stale pools. 06/06/24
From Facebook on October 14th 2023: Back to low levels with toboggan and jump pools clear.
Anchors seem okay and lower gorge section has been cleaned out by the flood.
We descended Falls of Acharn today (09.09.2023). The abseil that is 25m in the guidebook is rather 32m (!) We had a 60m rope and had to use slings to prolong it, for retrieval. All orotection good, some mallions very rusty.
Thanks for letting us know, I have updated the information on the page.