The Active Alphabet

Snowdonia Mountains and Coast… phew, it’s exhausting. But boy, is it exciting. So you want to go abseiling? No problem, just pick your cliff. What about biking? Yes, we have world-class mountain biking, and traffic-free, waymarked road routes too. Canoeing, coasteering, climbing, canyoning, can-do activity centres… that’s the activity alphabet from A to C taken care of, then. 

We could go on, and on… all the way to Z (zip-wire riding through the trees, if you haven’t guessed). After all, we’re the activity capital of the UK. On these and the next few pages we introduce you to our exhilarating activities scene on land and water.

Sparks over Snowdonia

To set the scene, we’ve asked well-known outdoor writer Jon Sparks to sample a few of our many activities. Read his action-packed report in our new brochure then take a look at the links on the right for more options.

Fancy a walk? How long? How short? Want to climb a mountain? Or breeze along the beach? Tough highland treks and gentle family trails are just two of our specialities. Take a hike in the Snowdonia National Park. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on the exciting Llŷn Coastal Path. Go green and leafy on a walk in the woods. Swap muddy boots for streets and pavements on one of our fascinating town trails in places like Llanrwst and Llanfairfechan. And when you’re out and about, help cut down on cars and traffic by using the Snowdon Sherpa bus service.

There’s water, water everywhere too – in mountain lakes and rushing rivers, and along a coastline that starts at Machynlleth in the south and finishes 200 miles later at Conwy. Where there’s water, there’s watersports. Sail between the mountains on Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake). Cardigan Bay’s open, inviting waters and the sheltered Menai Strait are easily accessible from marinas at Pwllheli, Caernarfon and Y Felinheli. And there are pretty harbours at places like Aberdyfi and Abersoch. At the National Watersports Centre near Caernarfon they’ll teach you how to handle dinghies, canoes and kayaks. And if you like your watersports wild and wet go surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding or white-water rafting.

You can gallop along the beach or head for the hills from a great choice of riding and trekking centres, including Tŷ Coch Farm at Penmachno and Pen Llŷn Riding Centre, Llaniestyn. Golfers have the pick of testing championship courses, including the famous links at Royal St David’s (Harlech), Aberdovey and Nefyn. Our friendly nine-holers also offer that big Welsh welcome.

Gone fishing? Then make sure you have the Snowdonia Fishing Guide, which is packed full of information on game, sea and coarse fishing.

Offroad cyclists love our adrenaline-pumping world-class mountain biking trails in the Coed-y-Brenin and Penmachno Forests. On the road, you can’t beat the scenic green lanes and quiet routes around Dolgellau and the Llŷn Peninsula, two of Wales’s best cycle break centres. 

We’ve even wrapped up a bundle of activities in one convenient package. At the National Mountain Centre, Capel Curig, you can have a go at climbing, abseiling, orienteering, canoeing and skiing. Archery, bowling, quad biking, karting and fishing are all on the menu at Glasfryn Parc on the Llŷn Peninsula.

Geocaching is catching on in a big way in Snowdonia. For high adventure on high ropes swing along to Tree Top Adventure, Betws y Coed, the Rope Works, Pwllheli or Ropes and Ladders, Llanberis. At the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth you can go green and have fun at the same time. What about stilt walking? Yes, you can do that too, at the Greenwood Forest Park near Caernarfon.