Facing Fears at Zip World Caverns – Wales

I’ve been to Wales many times and each time I’ve always wanted to have a go at zip lining at one of the Zip World sites in Snowdonia but have never been able to make the time.  On my most recent trip to Wales however I was kindly invited to try out Zip World Caverns based at Llechwedd Slate Caverns near the historic slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Not knowing much about this new addition to the Zip World collective, I was going into this pretty much with no idea what to expect except that it’s set within a slate cavern and there would be some zip lining involved!

Arriving at the Zip World site already the nerves were setting in as we witnessed many people overhead on the Zip World Titan ride…

Sat in the briefing room, the first words the instructor said was Via Ferrata… this sent me into a mild panic as when I did the Honister Slate Mine Via Ferrata Xtreme I had an issue with my nerves and a newly diagnosed fear of heights!

Starting off we were suited up with the safety harnesses and the latest in carabiners (or similar term!) we ventured off into the training section of the cavern.  Here we were able to first practice using the carabiners as these were not your average clips, there was a knack on how to clip on and off which took a while getting used to.

Once we had got the hang of that, we moved onto the zip lining part of the course, here you had to clip onto the wire yourself and simply lift your feet to go…pretty simple.

Moving onto the final stage of the training course a set of multiple zip wires and steps…but first you had to climb what felt like the biggest ladder in the whole world… hinching my way up the ladder my first set of nerves kicked in and I was having serious doubts over what I was about to do, my legs were shaking and a few curse words may have been said!

However when you’re at the top there’s 2 ways down, back down the super long ladder or manning up and zip wiring back down…to not lose face…zip wire it was.  This was my first ever time zip wiring and I have to say I really enjoyed this part of the course and the height issue didn’t seem to bother me doing this.

Completing the training course, we moved onto the main event…

At this point when I was waiting in line for my turn, the panic returned as I saw there was quite a lot of traversing around the side of the walls.  Ready to unclip myself (had they not have been designed to not be unclipped both at one time this was proving difficult and my escape plan was faltered)…seeing my friend Ann zip across it was now my turn but at this point I was adamant I was not doing it..the instructor seeing that I was having doubts kept talking to me, putting my mind at rest that this initial traversing was the highest point and that all the next sections were much lower and after a few moments I was ready to put my nerves to one side and DO THIS!

The first zip over was great, confidently I unclipped and proceeding onto the via ferrata section, taking it slowly I moved my way around the wall onto the 2nd zip wire.

I think my fear of the via ferrata sections is that I will slip and although I know I can’t fall anywhere that doesn’t really stop me clinging on for dear life!

In total the Zip World Caverns has 10 zip wires, some much longer than others, some sections of via ferrata traversing and my all time favourite (note there is sarcasm there!) the bridges…there was a few different types of bridges to enjoy..even a floating one with just your wire to hold onto..

But aside from the fact that I was anxious and nervous in some sections of the course, I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in the cavern and definitely would recommend it to anyone to try.

Afterwards, there’s a nice little pub on-site where you can enjoy a cold beer and continue watching the titans overhead…

Zip World Caverns is located at Llechwedd Slate Caverns which is where you’ll also find Bounce Below and Zip World Titan.  Zip World Caverns costs £60 per person, and although this may sound expensive, you really do get a lot for your money as mentioned before you get to zip 10 times (more including the training course) and you spend between 3-4 hours there.

*I was a guest of Attractions of Snowdonia, all opinions are my own.