Things To Do

A forest of lakes and mountains in the heart of Snowdonia, Gwydyr Forest Park is home to a wide range of activities, as well as birdlife and other wildlife. Tracks, old miners’ paths, cycle trails and long-established forest walks make this forest a delight to explore on foot, on two wheels or in the saddle.

The vast Ysbyty Estate lies just south of the picturesque village of Betws y Coed and is the largest single estate cared for by the National Trust. The estate covers over 8,000 hectares of high, wild open moorland, dramatic river valleys and 51 hill farms. It has very diverse landscape and habitats.

The Migneint which is the large stretch of moorland and blanket bog on the south of the estate is all designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on account of its plant communities and its bird life. The estate covers the main parts of three river valleys: the upper Conwy, the Eidda and parts of the Machno.

The Eidda valley or as its known locally Cwm Eidda is hidden away between the upper Conwy and the Machno and is very picturesque. It is only accessible by single track road or, best of all, by a network of public footpaths.

Get there on foot: Approx 5 mile walk from Betws Y Coed using some of the back roads and an OS map. The A5 is not really suitable for walking as there are some dangerous bends with no pavement

A world-famous garden home to National Collections and Champion Trees; with intimate corners, sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland, there are many gardens in one at Bodnant.

Created over 150 years, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield, and the incredible vision of generations of the McLaren family and Puddle head gardeners, this haven of rarity and beauty with a stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains of Snowdonia is a delight for the senses.

With year-round colour, the garden can be whatever you want it to be, whether that's a hive of activity or a haven of tranquility and relaxation, this is truly a special place for all ages.
 

Take a journey through the canopy of the trees on 23 zip lines and 6 other ropes course elements (e.g. rope bridges) in a stunning forest setting.  You will be given training on the specialised safety system before heading 60ft up into the trees.  It will afford spectacular views of the valley and out to Moel Siabod.  Feel at one with nature on an adventure that will take around 2 hours.

BOOK well in advance as it gets really busy!

The only Alpine Coaster of it's kind in UK, the Zip World Fforest Coaster is now open.  Fun for all the family with this thrilling new adventure! 

The Fforest Coaster is based on the traditional toboggan but runs on rails, which offers an all year, all-weather experience.  Start your journey in the heart of the woodland, taking your sledge on your own or in pairs, and travel on the uplift through the trees.  You will then fly through the forest at exhilarating speeds!

Pre-booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

The Fforest Coaster is a queuing based adventure. Please be aware that during busy times (especially weekends and school holidays) your first of three runs may take up to 30 minutes to start after the time of the session you have booked. All three of your runs may take up to 90 minutes to complete. During off peak times please give 30-60 minutes to complete your three runs. For safety reasons, after your first and second runs you are asked to disembark from your sledge and re-join the queue. During wet weather condition’s it is likely to take longer to complete all three of your runs due to additional spacing required between the release of sleds

Riders between 3 and 8 years old must be accompanied on the same sledge by 1 participating adult or child aged 9+ that is over 1.35m tall.

The nearest thing to flying

Zip World Velocity at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda, is the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe. This adventure takes you on the Little Zipper to build your confidence before you journey up the quarry on our famous red trucks. Take in the stunning views from the Big Top of Velocity, out towards Anglesey with views of the Isle of Man on a clear day. You will then descend down the Big Zipper over the quarry lake often reaching speeds well in excess of 100mph.

Our new Adventure Terminal is now open, where our new check in and kit up areas are located, featuring spectacular views over the quarry lake. Your loved ones can grab a coffee or something to eat at our new Blondin Restaurant and watch you fly over head, or you could grab something to eat before or after your adventure.

Picture this. A perfect fresh-water lagoon, 300 metres long, set in the lush, green Conwy Valley in the lee of the Snowdonia mountains. Breathe it in. It’s clean, it’s fresh, it’s wild and it’s beautiful.

Now add something entirely unexpected.... a powerful head-high wave that rises at the centre of the lagoon, peels perfectly for more than 150 metres, and then dissipates softly as it hits the shore.

This is the Surf Snowdonia Adventure Parc: a revolutionary world-first inland surf lagoon and the UK’s most compelling outdoor adventure destination for you, your friends and the whole family to enjoy.

Their awesome 300-metre surf lagoon is the main deal, but there’s loads of other stuff to try out when you visit – from adrenalin thrills & spills on our Crash and Splash lagoon to kiddies soft play.

A great day out!

The National White Water Centre is dedicated to providing the best white water experiences on offer in the UK, a world class whitewater venue available to all paddle sport enthusiasts and to help Canoe Wales develop canoeing and kayaking throughout Wales. Their aim is for everyone to enjoy the river as much as they do; whether it’s through our white water rafting sessions, providing a great place to kayak and canoe throughout the year, or by helping people take their first steps into paddlesport through their support of Canoe Wales.