Snowdonia - start your adventure here!
Snowdonia is undoubtedly a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. With its dramatic mountain scenery, tumbling waterfalls, native woodland and many lakes and beaches the hard part is choosing what to do every day. And that's before we get to the castles, historic houses, towns and villages that are all waiting here for you to discover. We've included some guides below with some of our favourite walks, days out and places to eat to help you plan your trip or come and have an explore and find your own way - what are you waiting for?
PACKRAFTING
Packrafting is a revolution in journeying. By carrying your own rapidly inflated, lightweight
and sturdy backpacking boat, a whole new world of walking and paddling adventures opens up before you! Give it a go with our friends at Tirio - you'll love it!
CYCLING
Where in Britain can you find bike rides with castles, steam trains, mountain, lake and coastal views? Right here in North Wales of course – and all in one day! You don’t need to be Sir Bradley Wiggins to experience some superb cycling here – although we have got a couple of challenging routes for the experienced riders among you. We’ve also got some accessible routes that everyone can enjoy even if it’s been years since you last got on a bike – and it’s true that you never forget how. So why not give it a go?
CASTLES & GARDENS
If the idea of all this physical activity leaves you cold or if you just need a breather, we have got some incredible cultural sites for you to enjoy too. Wales is famous for its castles - not least of them being Conwy Castle just a short drive from here. They say good things come in threes and I've picked our 3 favourite castles, historic houses, art galleries and gardens for you to discover when you come to stay with us.
ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
There's a good reason that Snowdonia has become known as the "Adventure Capital of Europe".
We've got more than our fair share of adrenaline pumping attractions -Go-Below Underground Adventures are almost our neighbours & will look after you as you descend the world's longest underground zip wire in the world on the UK's scariest assault course! ZipWorld have brought us the world's fastest zip wire & the only Alpine Coaster Ride in the UK virtually on our doorstep as well as their newer attractions like Quarry Karts and Quarry Flyer. If you prefer staying above ground but don't mind getting wet there are plenty of fantastic swimming spots in the local rivers and lakes - or hire a kayak or paddle board and see if you can stay upright.
WALKING & CLIMBING
Snowdonia is a dream for walkers and climbers alike. Famous for being the training ground for Hillary and Tenzing before their Everest ascent and many others since, there's so much choice of terrain, difficulty and length you'll always want to come back for more. Whether you want a walk from your door, a trek off the beaten track or you want to try one of the well-trodden routes up Snowdon we can help you with suggestions, maps, parking advice and where to grab that well-earned pint afterwards.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
If getting out in the hills on two wheels is your thing, we’re fortunate to have some of the best mountain bike trails in Britain here. Whether you’re a seasoned trail rider or just a beginner we have something for you. With the infamous Marin Trail (now officially called Gwydir Mawr and Bach) and the lesser known but equally impressive Machno Trail virtually on our doorstep, look no further for a good MTB base in Wales. www.mbwales.com is a good starting point for planning your trip.
GOING UNDERGROUND
Apparently Wales is known for being a bit rainy at times. But that deosn't have to stop you having a proper adventure. Deep underground below Snowdonia people have been at work for centuries mining slate and other minerals. Thankfully, people are still earning their living in these mines but in an altogether less hazardous and much more entertaining way. How about a trip deep into the underground mines of Snowdonia with our near neighbours at Go Below for “Adrenaline pumping, heart thumping, pulse jumping fun”? You can try your hand at climbing up a vertical mine shaft, paddling a boat across an underground lake, zip-lining through caverns, scaling a waterfall and even abseiling to 1200 feet below ground! If you're feeling really brave check in to Deep Sleep for a night in the world's deepest underground hotel - at 1375 feet below the mountains of Snowdonia.
Or how about Bounce Below? Another real favourite with our guests, you’ll find this trampolining playground in a former slate mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog, where you can play, slide, roll, jump and bounce from net to net in a cavern the size of a cathedral.