Experience the Thrills of North Wales with Active Cymru: Coasteering, Canyoning and Gorge Walking

About Me

Matthew Shaw | Founder of ActiveCymru

I’m Matthew Shaw, founder of ActiveCymru, and I’ve spent over a decade guiding people through the mountains, gorges, coastline, and hidden waters of North Wales.

ActiveCymru was created to offer outdoor experiences that feel genuine, well-led, and grounded in deep local knowledge — not rushed, not generic, and never disconnected from the landscape they take place in.

I work with individuals, private groups, clubs, schools, and organisations, shaping each experience around the people taking part and the conditions on the day.

 

A Life Outdoors, Rooted in Place

I trained at Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre and hold professional qualifications across mountaineering, climbing, paddlesports, and safety management. Alongside guiding, I also work in steep ground safety, rope access, and rigging, including specialist safety management roles for film and television productions.

In addition to running ActiveCymru, I am the Estate Manager of Dorothea Quarry, a historic slate quarry landscape in North Wales. This role involves managing access, safety, conservation, and long-term stewardship of a complex and sensitive site.

That responsibility shapes how I work outdoors:
with respect for the land, careful planning, and a strong focus on safety, context, and sustainability.

For some experiences — including residential programmes — Dorothea Quarry is explored through guided walks and swims, offering rare, safe access and insight into a remarkable landscape few people truly understand.

 

How I Work

Every activity is led with care, adaptability, and attention to detail.

I believe the best outdoor experiences:

• meet people where they are

• feel calm and well-managed, even when adventurous

• allow space for confidence, connection, and enjoyment

• respect both people and place

Whether you’re new to the outdoors or highly experienced, my role is to create the conditions for a rewarding day — and then let the landscape do the rest.

 

Activities with ActiveCymru

ActiveCymru specialises in:

• Coasteering

• Gorge Walking

• Canyoning

• Wild Swimming

• Hillwalking & Mountain Days

• Multi-day Residential Adventure Experiences

Experiences are tailored to ability, group dynamics, weather, and season — not forced into fixed templates.

 

Qualifications & Professional Training

Core Qualifications

• Mountain Leader (ML)

• Climbing Coach (SPA)

• Kayak Coach (BCU / UKCC Level 1)

• Powerboat Level 2

 

Additional Training & Certifications

• Winter Mountain Leader Training

• Swift Water Rescue

• Mountain First Aid (REC)

• Expedition First Aid

• BMC FUNdamentals – Climbing Coach

• PYB Expedition Planning

• Plas y Brenin Fast Track Instructor Training

 

Let’s Go Outside

If you’re looking for an outdoor experience in North Wales that’s thoughtful, well-led, and genuinely rooted in place, I’d love to help shape it with you.

Get in touch to talk through ideas, ask questions, or plan something memorable.

Take the first step towards an unforgettable adventure.

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