OUR AREA GUIDE
Your guide to one of Wales’s most beautiful and unique destinations. We are situated in a former slate mine, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Surrounded by Snowdonia mountains, epic hikes and views are on our doorstep. You’ll find Zip World only a stone’s throw away, where you can zip 1080m from half the height of Snowdon. Llechwedd mine, Antur Stiniog, Portmeirion, Harlech Castle, and the narrow-gauge heritage railway of Ffestiniog are all within easy reach.
ACTIVITIES
There are thrilling historical tours and adrenaline-fueled activities available right on our doorstep. Here are a list of our favourite things to do.
WALKING
The area has some of the most stunning walks in Wales. Here are a few of our suggestions.
Llyn Mair |10 minute drive
Molewyn Mawr & Moelwyn Bach | 5 minute drive
Cwmorthin Quarry Walk | 2 minute drive
Stwlan Dam Walk|5 minute drive
FISHING
Eryri’s varied landscape offers some of the most fantastic fishing spots in Wales. Often described as a haven for fishing, there is an abundance of lake, river and coastal fishing opportunities from the north to the south of the National Park. Further information of fishing locations can be found here.
CYCLING
Winding forest trails, magnificent climbs and routes for the whole family. Although Eryri is known for its miles of footpaths, the National Park also has a wide range of cycling opportunities. The National Park is home to winding forest trails, stunning scenic roads and recreational routes for cyclists of all abilities. Further information of cycling trails can be found here.
LOCAL THINGS TO DO:
Zip World | Home to a wealth of North Wales slate mining history, Llechwedd now houses world-first underground and above-ground adventures. With views across Snowdonia from the top of Titan, where you can zip 1080m from half the height of Snowdon to the world’s only subterranean playground of its kind, Bounce Below, and Caverns, the most incredible underground adventure zip line and adventure course.
Llechwedd Mine | Take a step back into the 19th century as you’re submerged 500ft into the rich history of the Deep Mine Tour, where you’ll spend approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes soaking up all there is to know about Llechwedd’s fascinating past.
Antur Stiniog | Antur 'Stiniog bike park is set in the stunning mountains of North Wales and offers 14 fantastic gravity fed mountain biking trails for all ability of rider from novice to world cup racer. The trails are graded from green to black and offers the best mountain bike uplift service in the UK, some even say in the world!
Portmeirion | Portmeirion Village has hotels, cottages, a spa treatment room, shops, restaurants and cafes, woodland gardens and estuary views.
Harlech Castle | None of Edward I’s mighty coastal fortresses has a more spectacular setting. Harlech Castle crowns a sheer rocky crag overlooking the dunes far below – waiting in vain for the tide to turn and the distant sea to lap at its feet once again.
Ffestiniog | The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832. The railway takes you on a 13½ mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The historic train climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round horseshoe bends clinging to the side of the mountain or even tunnelling through it.
WILD SWIMMING & WATER ACTIVITIES:
Llyn Tegid |40 minute drive |Wales' largest natural lake and the perfect place for swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing and all sorts of other water sports.
Afon Tryweryn | 30 minute drive | Afon Tryweryn river, near Y Bala, is home to a national white water sports centre.
Harlech Beach | 20 minute drive | Harlech Beach provides a four-mile stretch of pristine golden sand, with stunning views of the Snowdonia mountain range.
Criccieth Beach | 20 minute drive | Criccieth’s two beautiful beaches are separated by its prominent – and still powerful – medieval castle, perched on a small headland.
Llyn Mair | 10 minute drive| This is the lake to go to if you want to go swimming. In fact, if you start at Llyn Hafod (the upper lake of the resevoirs) you can walk all the way down from Llyn Hafod, around Llyn Mair, pass the lowest lake and down to Plas Tan Y Bwlch.
Eat & Drink
The Oakley Arms, Maentwrog |10 minute drive
Hanging Pizzeria, Betws-y-Coed |15-20 minute drive
Y Stablau |15-20 minute drive
Bryn arms, Gellilydan|10 minute drive
Portmeirion | 15 minutes drive