7 Activity Holidays In Wales That’ll Scratch Your Adventure Itch

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With hundreds of miles of rugged coastline and three National Parks that cover a fifth of the entire country, there are few better places to take an active holiday than Wales – whatever kind of trip you have in mind. Whether it’s blowing off steam with a group of friends, unwinding by yourself, or introducing your children to the wonders of the natural world, Wales delivers adventures of all kinds.

Here are seven amazing trips in Wales to consider.

Go Coasteering With Your Mates In Cardigan Bay

If you’re looking for an outdoor activity to tackle as group, there are few better options than coasteering, which involves roaming along the coast through a mix of scrambling, climbing, swimming and cliff jumping. The mid-Wales coastline is coasteering’s heartland and every trip you take will be different thanks to the changing conditions. A coasteering session with Cardigan Bay Active provides everything you want from an active holiday: you’ll explore untouched marine habitats, clamber along rocky reefs and hurl yourself into the sea from cliffs. That last one is optional, we promise.

Take The Kids Rock Pooling in Pembrokeshire

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The coastline of Pembrokeshire is teeming with the kind of small and slightly slimy wildlife that delights kids and (some) adults alike. Set off on your own expedition, or book a rock pool safari with TYF Adventure for two glorious hours of investigating every nook and cranny for crabs, fish, shrimp and sea anemones.

Get Your Adrenaline Fix Riding The MTB Trails Of Snowdonia

Wales is a haven for mountain bike riders of all levels with plenty of great trails for beginners or families, but experienced riders with a hankering for a challenge should head for the Beics Brenin activity centre in Snowdonia’s Coed y Brenin forest. There are several black trails to try, including the 30km-long Beast and the MBR. The latter features the Cavity drop, which we defy anyone to ride down without shrieking with joy.

Take To The Water Around Anglesey For A Romantic Getaway

The island of Anglesey has over 200km of coastline to explore with plenty of secluded coves. Hire a pair of paddleboards or a two-person sea kayak and it won’t take long to find a secret stretch of beach you can have all to yourselves. And if you’ve never tried kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding before, a couple of lessons with B-Active@Rhoscolyn or Psyched Paddleboarding will avoid cold water ruining your hot date.

Strand Yourself On The Worm’s Head

If you’re looking to get away from the stresses and pressures of everyday life, embark on an expedition along the 1,400km-long Wales Coast Path and be sure to stop at the Worm’s Head headland near Rhossili on the Gower Peninsula. You can only get across to the headland during a 2½-hour period around low tide, so either make sure you get back sharpish or take it easy and enjoy the solitude while you wait for the tide to turn in your favour again. What better way to clear your head?

Cycle The Peaks Around Abergavenny

Gather your hardiest road riding companions and steel yourselves for some steep hill work. Abergavenny is a superb base for cyclists to explore south Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park, and there are some truly epic climbs within a day’s ride. The most famous of them all is the Tumble on the northern side of Blorenge mountain, and if you fancy reaching the summit from another angle, ride the Tyla climb up the western side. Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, which takes place in July, features the 100-mile (161km) Iron Mountain race that includes climbing the Tumble and several other notorious ascents in the area. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

Nick Harris-Fry
Senior writer

Nick Harris-Fry is a journalist who has been covering health and fitness since 2015. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. He is also the chief tester for fitness trackers and running watches, treadmills and exercise bikes, and workout headphones.