Best Outdoor Activities in North Wales – On Dry Land
Why not Get Outside in North Wales in 2016 year of adventure. With the largest selection of outdoor activities* from the leading website for getting outside in North Wales, not just Snowdonia, we show you why we’re the website to go to for all outdoor activities in North Wales. In fact, there’s so many of them that we’ve had to split the guide into two! Part one for dry land activities, though anyone who’s crossed the Moelwynion would argue with the inclusion of waking in this section, and part two for water and air sports.
Part One – North Wales Dry Land Activities
Walking and Scrambling– This is like shooting fish in a barrel! Just about the whole of North Wales boasts excellent walking. From the obvious walks in popular Snowdonia, or you can look a bit off the beaten path and walk on the Llyn Peninsula, Anglesey and of course the Clwydian and Berwyn hills. Don’t forget the most popular UK mountain either and take a Walk up Snowdon !
Climbing and Bouldering– Snowdonia is spoilt for choice, with the most popular crags being concentrated in the Ogwen/Llanberis Pass area and not to forget the crags around areas like Tremadog and even on the Anglesey coast. There are also some classic ice climbs in winter, but you need a good season to make the most of them. Bouldering along the pass is another popular activity – which for those who don’t know are those climbers you see walking along the Llanberis Pass with a mattress on their back. They climb on large boulders, with any fall being cushioned by the crash pads they carry. In winter, Snowdonia boasts some of the best Ice Climbing, though only if conditions are favourable.
Photo credit: Laurel Fan via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Backpacking – The Wales Coastal Path is an obvious choice with the Offa’s Dyke and Cambrian Way LDPs finishing (or starting) in North Wales. Less obvious options are the North Wales Path, Clwydian Way and out own Eryri Way.
Wild Camping – This activity by it’s nature is more popular towards the higher ground – mainly Snowdonia – due to the nature of wild camping. You can even add your own wild camping spots to our Wild Camping Map!
Mountain Biking– There are proper centres in Coed y Brenin and Llandegla, but don’t forget about the Gwydr Forests, Penmachno and Dyfi routes down in the south of Gwynedd. Beddgelert Forest also has some more basic routes, ideal for the casual rider and with the possibility of hiring bikes in Beddgelert.
Downhill Mountain Biking We think this deserves it’s own category , especially considering that Antur ‘stiniog have some excellent downhill routes with transport to the top so none of that tedious uphill cycling.
Photo credit: DaiSliders via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Road Cycling – And for those who see a hill as a challenge on a bike, there are too many cycling options to mention! Popular options are cycling the passes, with the options being limited by your imagination. Etape Eryri . There are also more family friendly cycling options, such as the Lon Eifion in Caernarfon or most of the North Wales Coast Path to the East of Llandudno. Or more challenging routes around the Mynydd Hiraethog area.
Photo credit: ohefin via Foter.com / CC BY-SA
Running – With such scenery and terrain, the options are limitless! From flat runs such as the Mawddach Trail to the ultimate challenge of running up Snowdon from Llanberis during the annual Snowdon Race, there are options to fit your running ability. Those wanting even more challenge can take part in the Dragon’s Back Race. Coed y Brenin has some way-marked trails, and you can’t go far wrong!
Annual Races other than the world famous Snowdon Race include the Snowdonia Marathon, Trail Marathon / Half Wales, and more road races than you can shake a stick at.
Horse Riding and Trekking – There are loads of providers in North Wales, with the tracks and bridleways towards the eastern area being particularly suitable for horse riding. There are loads of providers on the Visit Wales website.
Geocaching -Do you want to visit unusual locations on a virtual treasure hunt? Geocacheing might well be the sport for you with hundreds of geocaches in North Wales from the mountain summits to urban locations. Find our more with our guide to Geocacheing.
Orienteering – If you’ve had a taste of Navigation from our on-line navigation skills course, then why not take it a step further and navigate a course against time? Read our beginner’s guide to Orienteering to get started.
Is your favourite activity above and you want to be featured on the leading outdoor website for North Wales? Get in touch..
*we always exclude any sort of activity that depends on being motorised for success – it’s just not us! Likewise, we’ve excluded Photography, as you don’t necessarily need to be active!
Dave Roberts
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