North Wales is becoming famous for being the adventure and outdoor capital of the UK! It is now firmly established as one of the best places to enjoy exciting, fun and unique experiences and pursuits in beautiful settings. These...
North Wales is now famous for being the adventure and outdoor capital of the UK!
It is firmly established as one of the best places to enjoy exciting, fun and unique experiences and pursuits in beautiful settings.
These are the must-do outdoor attractions, adrenaline activities and adventure days to try in 2024 - all near Crafnant House, our boutique B&B in Eryri | Snowdonia!
Click on the links below for more information about each activity or scroll-down:
Go Below Underground Caving Adventures
… and start planning your adventures in North Wales now!
Coming to North Wales for adventure activities?
Book accommodation at Crafnant House - our B&B in Eryri | Snowdonia :
Booking direct with us saves you money -
you always get a lower rate than anywhere else!
The 10 Best Outdoor and Adventure Activities in North Wales!
1. Zip World Adventures
With three locations in North Wales - all not far from our B&B - there are a unique range of outdoor adventure activities at Zip World that will guarantee you thrills and excitement to get the adrenaline pumping!
Zip World Slate Caverns
At the Zip World Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog you will find Titan, Europe’s largest zip wire zone which will see you zip-wiring a total of 1890 metres.
Also at Blaenau Ffestiniog are Bounce Below and Slate Caverns Adventures which are both indoors and good options for a rainy day!
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
Zip World Penrhyn Quarry
Zip World Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda has Velocity, the fastest zip line in the world which sees you travel at speeds of over 100mph!
Also at Penrhyn Quarry are the thrilling Quarry Karts, the UK’s only mountain cart experience - it is THE place to try downhill karting!
Zip World Fforest
Finally Zip World Forest Adventures is the nearest Zip World location to us in Llanrwst, not far from Betws-y-Coed.
Here you will find the Fforest Coaster, a Zip Safari and the Treetop Nets.
Also at Forest Adventures is Plummet - another world first which sees you drop through a trap door over 100ft high to experience the closest thing to freefall!
2. Mountain Biking
Eryri | Snowdonia has without doubt some of the best mountain bike trails and routes in Wales and the UK!
Whether you want a leisurely ride on forest tracks or more exhilarating downhill MTB action there is something for everyone.
The Gwydir Mawr & Bach trails are just two miles from our B&B in Trefriw and they offer you big climbs, thrilling descents, brilliant singletrack and amazing scenery.
If you need mountain bike rental we recommend:
Snowdonia Bikes - they hire e-mountain bikes in nearby Llanrwst
Beics Betws - they offer mountain bike rental in nearby Betws-y-Coed
Beics Betws will also deliver a bike to us here at Crafnant House free of charge, and then collect it - visit their website for more information!
Enjoy stunning views on your ride such as this one near Trefriw in North Wales
Antur Stiniog in Blaenau Ffestiniog has downhill MTB trails with 14 routes graded green to black and the best mountain bike uplift service in the UK.
Coed-y-Brenin Forest Park has various trails on forest tracks catering for everyone from complete beginners to experts craving fast, flowing single track, and a skills area to practice in!
There is even more world-class mountain biking in North Wales at Penmachno Forest and Mynydd Hiraethog.
So mountain bike enthusiasts are just spoilt for choice!
As keen cyclists ourselves we are happy to advise you where to head, and bike storage and washing facilities are available at our B&B.
For more advice and inspiration why not read our blog on the best mountain biking centres in North Wales.
3. Go Below Underground Caving Adventures
From their base near Betws-y-Coed, Go Below offer unique underground caving adventures and activities!
During your experience you can try activities such as abseiling, a zip line, boating, scrambling and climbing a waterfall.
At one point during your caving adventure you abseil your way down to the deepest point in the UK!
Fantastic caving adventures at Go Below!
Fun, experienced and qualified instructors guide you through the caves and abandoned mines, and absolutely no prior experience is necessary.
Guests who have stayed with us at Crafnant House have tried it and have come back absolutely buzzing, so this is definitely an experience to recommend!
New in 2023 was their ‘Deep Sleep’ experience where you can stay overnight in a cabin or grotto underground!
Maybe combine that with a few nights above ground with us!
4. Surfing
Adventure Parc Snowdonia (formerly known as Surf Snowdonia) is not far from us in Trefriw.
Situated in the next village of Dolgarrog, it was the world’s first inland surf lagoon.
When open it is a great location for surfers to perfect their moves as you are guaranteed a wave every 90 seconds.
Beginners are welcome too with lessons available from expert instructors - who will have you performing tricks on the waves in no time!
NB. It was announced as of 1st September 2023 Adventure Parc Snowdonia is closed until further notice
The Wave Garden Spa - offering luxurious spa treatments and packages - is next to the Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia hotel at the same location (as of December 2023 it remains open)
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
View fullsize
In the meantime why not try these other popular locations in North Wales to try out your surfing skills.
We recommend these fantastic surfing locations:
Hell’s Mouth on the Llyn Peninsula
Traeth Llyndan beach in Rhosneigr on Anglesey
5. Climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
Of course Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is one of the most popular walks in North Wales!
Climbing the tallest mountain in Wales and England is a challenge most visitors want to do at least once.
There are different paths and routes to hike to the top - some are easy whilst others are more difficult.
The Llanberis Path goes from the village of the same name.
It is the longest route (it takes about 6-7 hours to walk to the summit and back down) and some claim it to be the easiest, but this also means it is the most popular!
We are nearly at the top of Snowdon on the Llanberis Path!
The Miners Track and PYG Track both start at Pen y Pass car park.
We often recommend going up one and coming back down the other to get the most of the scenic views both offer - they are both a lot more interesting than the Llanberis path.
Finally the Watkin, Rhyd Ddu and Snowdon Ranger paths all start on the west side of the mountain and are often quieter than the other walking routes.
Whichever path you choose you are guaranteed a great day out.
You may even get views at the top if the weather ‘behaves’ and there is a cloud free summit!
You can get more information in our other blog post:
The Best Walking Routes Up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) ?
Of course this is not the only great walk in North Wales - there are plenty of other alternative places to hike and ramble.
Ask us for tips and advice when you stay with us if you need any help or inspiration!
6. Wild Swimming
Whether you want to swim in a river, a lake or even a waterfall, North Wales offers some stunning locations to enjoy a swim outdoors.
Llyn Geirionydd is the nearest location to our B&B for wild swimming, located just above our village, Trefriw - not far from Betws-y-Coed.
It is a beautiful lake surrounded by forests and is perfect for your cold water dip.
We regularly go for an early morning swim before serving breakfast and guests are always welcome to join us!
Wild swimming in Llyn Geirionydd
The Fairy Glen near Betws-y-Coed is also not far from our village - a picturesque, narrow gorge for swimming with some large rocks to sit on.
NB. Access is via private land so there is a small charge to pay.
Llyn Dinas near Beddgelert is a a 1km-long valley lake at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in the heart of the national park, where you can have a swim with a beautiful backdrop.
Plenty of other locations offer you a chance to wild swim in open water.
Get your wetsuit ready (or swimming costume if you’re brave!) and plan your trip now!
7. SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding)
Stand up paddleboarding (also known as ‘SUP’) is one of the fastest growing activities in the UK!
North Wales is the perfect location for your adventure with clear, still lakes to paddle on and stunning landscapes to enjoy.
Snowdonia Watersports in Llanberis offers both paddle boards for hire and lessons on Llyn Padarn, so you can head out onto the water either at your own pace or with an instructor
At Llyn Tegid in Bala, not far from us, Bala Adventure and Watersports also offer SUP rental and lessons and other watersport experiences
Whilst Psyched Paddle Boarding are one of the leading specialists in this exciting and growing sport and offer guided SUP trips to explore the rugged Anglesey coastline and Menai Straits
Other lakes not far from us that provide excellent conditions for SUP are:
Llyn Geirionydd - near both our B&B in Trefriw and Betws-y-Coed
Llynnau Mymbyr - near Capel Curig and the Plas-y-Brenin outdoor centre
Llyn Gwynant - near Beddgelert
Llyn Dinas - near Beddgelert
Llyn Padarn - at Llanberis
They are all very picturesque locations to practice your skills, complete with stunning views all around you.
You can store your paddleboard with us at Crafnant House if you are having a day off during your holiday!
8. Rock Climbing
Eryri | Snowdonia and North Wales are popular for rock climbers and mountaineers from all over the UK, who come here to enjoy the major mountain crags and slate quarries situated in breathtaking scenery.
Whether you come to the region for climbing, clambering, abseiling, traversing or bouldering, various outfits such will help find the best locations for your climbing adventure!
Gibbon Adventures are based in Snowdonia and provide tailored courses in rock climbing, scrambling, and mountaineering delivered by qualified and highly experienced instructors.
If the weather is not so good there are great indoor climbing walls and centres too, such as Beacon Climbing Centre in Caenarfon - the largest indoor climbing centre in North Wales.
9. Road Cycling
North Wales is not just a destination for mountain biking!
Quiet roads and traffic free cycle paths allow road cyclists to enjoy panoramic vistas and combine rides with wonderful sightseeing.
Our B&B is the perfect place to stay as you can cycle right into the heart of Eryri | Snowdonia from it, with some challenging climbs along the way!
The Ffordd Brailsford Way offers you 50 mile or 75 mile routes around the national park with breathtaking scenery at every turn.
Enjoy a spectacular bike ride through the mountains of Snowdonia!
The North Wales coastal route from Chester to Holyhead is a largely traffic free cycle route and offers you coastal towns, mountainous scenery and sea views along the way.
The Lon Eifion cycle path departs from Caernarfon and runs parallel to the Welsh Highland Railway for much of the way.
The 24 mile traffic free cycle path giving you fantastic views of the mountain ranges around you.
So bring your bike with you when you stay with us at Crafnant House! We have bike storage and washing facilities at our B&B.
We will gladly advise you of the best cycling routes, and of course the best cafes and coffee shops too!
Alternatively you can hire bikes from Beics Betws - they will deliver a bike to us here at Crafnant House free of charge, and then collect it!
10. Rib Rides
For something completely different why not try an exhilarating boat trip on Anglesey?
RibRide in Menai Bridge offer you their Velocity trip which sees you flying down the Menai Strait on the world’s fastest RIB.
Rib Rides are a thrilling experience on Anglesey!
Other trips allow you to go under Thomas Telford’s Menai Suspension Bridge and see other sights along the Menai Strait - the body of water separating Anglesey from the mainland.
Seacoast Safaris offer a variety of trips from their dock in Beaumaris on their hybrid rib boat which has 700HP of power!
We hope this gives you some ideas of what activities to do in North Wales when you plan your holiday and choose your place to stay.
Guests often ask us how long should they come for, so our best tip is…
… don’t just come for two days !!!
Looking for a place to stay in North Wales?
Crafnant House is our B&B in the village of Trefriw, Eryri | Snowdonia.
Our Victorian home has five guest bedrooms decorated in a boutique, modern style.
A delicious breakfast is served each morning in our dining room.
We look forward to welcoming you to Wales soon!