Whitewater River Tubing in Llangollen: Serpents Tail Rapids

Three rapids, one inflatable donut, and the chance to say you've run Serpents Tail

Whitewater river tubing in Llangollen, Wales puts you in an inflatable donut on the River Dee, guided through three major rapids by experienced instructors. You're kitted with a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid at the Bearded Men Adventure Hub, then driven to Horseshoe Falls to start. The rapids are mandatory or optional—you choose whether to run Serpents Tail once, twice, or not at all.

The Experience

You'll meet your guide at the Bearded Men Adventure Hub in Llangollen, where you change into a wetsuit and get a safety briefing before the drive to Horseshoe Falls. Once on the water, you float proof and then head into the River Dee's twisting rapids. The route carries three major ones, and your guide stays close to steer you through each.

Serpents Tail is the famous one—the rapid most white water enthusiasts want to tick off. You get to choose: run it once, run it twice, or avoid it and float the calmer stretches instead. The same flexibility applies to the other two rapids on the route. Your guide handles the steering; you handle the adrenaline.

The whole thing runs about three hours from the hub to the end of the run. Wet suit, helmet, buoyancy aid and the tube itself are all provided. You'll be wet and tired by the end, which is exactly the point.

What’s included

• Wetsuit and wetsuit socks.
• safety equipment including helmet and buoyancy aid.
• river tubing on the River Dee.
• guide for the full duration.
• transportation to the starting point at Horseshoe Falls.
• changing rooms at the hub.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Bearded Men Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're coming with a group of friends or family and want to choose your own level of intensity—you can run Serpents Tail twice, once, or skip it, so everyone in the boat can do the same stretch their own way. The guide handles the steering, so you don't need white water experience to do it.

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Top questions

What's the Serpents Tail rapid actually like when you get there?

Serpents Tail is the most famous rapid on the River Dee route and the one most white water enthusiasts want to run. Your guide will steer you through it, and you have the option to tackle it twice if you want another go, or skip it entirely if you'd rather not.

Can I do this if I've never been on a river before?

Yes. You'll get a safety brief and proof-of-float test before you head into the rapids, and your guide stays with you the whole way. The option to avoid the rapids completely means you can float the calmer stretches if you prefer.

What do I need to bring, and what's provided?

Bring a change of clothes and a towel. The hub provides the wetsuit, wetsuit socks, helmet, buoyancy aid and the inflatable tube. You'll change in the hub's changing rooms before the drive to Horseshoe Falls.

How long does the whole thing take from start to finish?

The river tubing itself runs about three hours. Add time for changing, the safety brief and the drive to the starting point at Horseshoe Falls, so plan for a morning or an afternoon.

Is this suitable for families, or is it just for groups looking for a wild time?

Children are welcome from age 12. It works as a family day out, a stag or hen weekend, or just a day with friends—the flexibility to run the rapids or float past them means different fitness levels and comfort zones can do it together.