In a strategic position on the south-western coast of Great Britain, Wales is home to several castles and lush countryside with plenty of lonely corners to explore, splendid coastal highlands, surf-battered cliffs, and, of course, stunning rugged land-meets-sea scenery. With a myriad of opportunities for escaping into nature, it’s a paradise for all adventurers. Whether you’re looking to satisfy your adrenaline-rush cravings, test your limits by hiking up Wales’ highest peak, biking through nature reserves, and hearing dramatic waterfalls roaring from a distance, or seeking solitude as you wander within the majestic castle grounds, there’s just too much to see and do in Wales. Listed below are 10 things to do in Wales to push yourself to your limits, and they are not for the weak!
1. Swoosh along the longest zipline in Europe
Satisfy your adrenaline-rush cravings as you swoosh down the longest zipline in Europe! Zipworld Velocity in Snowdonia is also the fastest in the world and will leave you with the ultimate heart-stopping experience. You will first ride on the Little Zipper, which is 450 metres (1,476 feet), followed by the real thing, the Big Zipper (1,700 metres / 5,577 feet). The Little Zipper really preps you on what to expect and is an awesome ‘spoiler’ to get your heart racing! Just imagine the adrenaline rush as you swoosh high (152 metres / 500 feet) above the greenery and the sea, feeling like you’re unstoppable and nothing can bring you down. This is just as close as you can get to flying!
Zip World Titan
Address: Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3NB, United Kingdom
Price: from 79 USD
Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Duration: around 3 hours required
Contact: +44 1248 601444
Website: Zip World
2. Blaze the mountain biking trails through Coed Y Brenin
Wales is a haven for adventure junkies, but when it comes to mountain biking adventure, Coed Y Brenin is the obvious winner. It’s the first and biggest mountain biking trail centre in Wales, consisting of different trails for all levels of abilities. Set against a spectacular backdrop of rugged Welsh mountains and tranquil forests, Coed Y Brenin is also home to several walking and running trails. It’s a playground for all trail blazers!
Coed Y Brenin Visitors Centre
Address: Dolgefeiliau, Dolgellau LL40 2HZ, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Access: From Dolgellau head north on A470, taking a right turn for the visitor centre after five miles (8 kilometres)
Contact: +44 1341 440747
Website: Coed Y Brenin Visitors Centre
3. Feel on top of the world at the peak of Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is a medieval fortification in Conwy, built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales. There are lots of things to explore in here; you can easily spend a few hours just wandering around the castle complex and admiring its majestic towers and walls. Walking through its well-maintained grounds gives you an insight into Welsh history, and an idea of how it was like in the 13th century. Take things to greater heights as you climb on top of the walls and admire the breathtaking views of mountains and seas. It’s hard not to stop staring at the effortlessly beautiful view. At the same time, it’s a great escape from reality too!
Conwy Castle
Address: Rose Hill St, Conwy LL32 8AY, United Kingdom
Price: from 11 USD
Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Website: Conwy Castle
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Squeeze into the smallest house in Britain
Wonder what could be inside Britain’s smallest house? Visit the Smallest House in Great Britain / Quay House to find out! Only six feet (1.8 metres) wide and ten feet (3 metres) tall, for two floors, it’s amazing how it can fit a maximum of 4 people at a time. This cute little red house used to be a fisherman’s home but is now a popular attraction that thousand of tourists flock to every year. If you’re nearby, be sure to drop by this cute attraction. After all, it only costs 1 GBP (1.32 USD) to enter and take a look at its interiors. Be careful not to bump your head on the ceiling though! We’ve cautioned you!
Smallest House in Great Britain
Address: 10 Lower Gate St, Conwy LL32 8BE, United Kingdom
Price: 1 GBP / 1.32 USD
Opening Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Access: On the quay in Conwy
Contact: +44 1492 573965
Website: Smallest House in Great Britain
5. Ride through spectacular scenery on the oldest independent railway in the world
Ride through the rugged and stunning Welsh countryside on a scenic railway, which stretches up to 40 miles (64 kilometres) in Snowdonia! The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway is a great and relaxing way to take in the unspoilt beauty of some of the untouched parts of Wales. You’ll be riding on the oldest independent railway in the world, on gleaming steam engines and carriages with friendly staff and light refreshments provided free of charge. This trip certainly offers a huge feast for the eyes and is a must-do for all scenery lovers!
Ffestiniog Railway
Address: 12 Cromwell St, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3HG, United Kingdom
Price: from 30 USD for a return ticket
Contact: 01766 516024
Website: Ffestiniog Railway
6. Hike up Snowdon and celebrate with beer at the top
Pack up your hiking boots! It’s time to test your limits as you ascend Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales (1,085 metres / 3,560 feet). There are several walks and pathways up, each differing in distance, difficulty level, and views. Be pre-warned though, this it not for the weak! Prepare to hear yourself moan, groan, and complain about wanting to turn back. Your glutes and thighs will ache a lot. But, you will continue, knowing that the views will be worth it at the top. And when you reach the summit, don’t forget to celebrate with beer at the top (there’s a cafe)! You’ve worked for it!
Mount Snowdon
Address: Snowdon, Caernarfon
Duration: around 6 hours up and down
Nearby Food: Summit Cafe (on top of the mountain)
Website: Mount Snowdon
7. Walk along the astonishing Great Orme
Take a tram ride up The Great Orme, a massive chunk of limestone rising 207 metres (679 feet) straight out of the sea. There are plenty of things to do at the summit; you can explore the visitor centre that shows many kinds of wildlife, or you can simply just enjoy the picturesque panoramic views as you walk along this astonishing coastal landmark. While you’re at it, look out for the two varieties of butterfly that are unique to the area, the wild Kashmir goats exclusive to the Great Orme, and the Orme’s beautiful, rare flowers.
The Great Orme
Address: Great Orme, Llandudno, UK
Price: from 9 USD
Contact: 01492 577 877
Website: The Great Orme
8. Walk behind waterfalls as you trek through the Brecon Beacons
Take a sweet escape into the wilderness when you trek through the Brecon Beacons! It’s a hiker’s paradise, home to fresh landscapes, beauty spots, secret places, several trails of varying levels of difficulty, and, of course, its dramatic waterfalls. You should definitely take the Four Falls Trail if you feel you’re up for it. It runs for 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometres) and will take you to large cascading waterfalls, thundering into the depths below. Look out for Sgwd yr Eira, the most spectacular waterfall and one that you can actually walk behind, visiting someplace magical!
Brecon Beacons
Address: The National Park Visitor Centre, Libanus, Brecon, LD3 8ER
Contact: 01874 623366
Website: Brecon Beacons
9. Take a celebratory selfie at the Devil’s Bridge
Test your limits at the Rheidol Gorge! The Devil’s Bridge is 10 miles (16 kilometres) away from Aberystwyth in the Rheidol Gorge, and getting there is definitely no walk in the park! You’ll descend Jacobs Ladder, a tricky 100 continuous steps, and pass Robber’s Cave, an old hide out next to the waterfalls. Pick a dry day to go as the paths can be slippery and dangerous if you’re not careful! Upon reaching the Devil’s Bridge, take a celebratory selfie to signify your achievement! It’s an amazing and exhilarating experience you will never regret doing!
Click here to learn about the myth behind the Devil’s Bridge! It’s a particularly unique structure because it’s actually 3 bridges built on top of one another!
Devil's Bridge
Address: Woodlands, Devil’s Bridge, Aberystwyth SY23 3JW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1970 890233
Website: Devil’s Bridge
10. Blast to the past as you wander around Caernarfon Castle
Take a blast to the past as you wander along the stunning towering rugged walls of the majestic Caernarfon Castle. This breathtaking historical monument is arguably one of the most impressive castles in the whole of the UK. It is also a site for hosting permanent exhibitions and museums of interest, such as the Museum of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. You get great insight on the history of the Welsh regiment, and get to see uniforms, guns, and medals from the olden days. It’s fun exploring the castle grounds, with so many rooms and passageways to keep yourself occupied. You’ll find time passing by quickly here! Don’t forget to take in the fresh air from the Eagle Towers, and admire the simply spectacular views from the top!
Caernarfon Castle
Address: Castle Ditch, Caernarfon LL55 2AY, United Kingdom
Price: from 9 USD
Opening Hours: 9.30 am - 5 pm
Contact: +44 1286 677617
Website: Caernarfon Castle
All-inclusive Wales
It’s an all-inclusive package when you visit Wales! There’s so much to see, explore, and do. In addition to the 10 things listed above, there are plenty of other great things waiting to be discovered in Wales. It will leave you breath-taken with its effortless beauty, make you feel infinite with its extreme activities, and provide you with all the solitude and tranquility you can ever ask for. If it isn’t already on your bucket list, put Wales on it today!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to