7 Reasons to Discover North Wales

North Wales has been overlooked for too long. So here’s why we believe it’s one of the best new destinations to explore!

It’s safe to assume everyone has heard of the UK, yet not everyone has heard of Wales. It’s one of the four countries that makes up the UK; the rest being England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wales is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the North and West, and the Bristol Channel to the south.

North Wales is the most northerly region of the country and also the most mountainous. It’s also home to Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales at 1,085m. And it has deep forests, raging rivers, an incredible coastline and beautiful islands teeming with wildlife.

From mountain biking to hiking, coasteering to foraging, if you’re looking for adventure North Wales has it in all shapes and sizes!

1) Home to 9 mountain ranges

It may be a small country but it sure packs in the mountains! In the 9 mountain ranges of Snowdonia, there are 15 peaks that stand over 900m high. Although access is restricted to ensure Snowdon remains protected for future generations to enjoy, at certain times of the year it’s possible to mountain bike from the very summit!

2) Views from the top of the world

At least it can feel that way! On a clear day from the top of Mount Snowdon you can see as far as Ireland on the other side of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man and even as far north as England’s Lake District. You can also see up to 18 lakes and 14 other summits. It’s a stunning hike and with different routes to its peak, it can be as challenging as you want to make it.

3) Europe’s longest and world’s fastest zipline

Since 2013, North Wales has been home to an incredible collection of ziplines, including Velocity 2. Situated high above the old slate mining quarries of Bethesda, a ride on this will have you flying through the air at speeds up to 160kph!

4) World’s fastest passenger RIB ride

For more high speed thrills head to the region’s largest island, Anglesey. Here you can ride on a specially designed RIB powerboat, capable of hitting speeds faster than any other passenger boat in the world. Hold on tight!

5) Wales has its own language

There are four surviving Celtic languages that are still officially recognised in the UK today: Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic and Breton. Welsh is by far the most widely used of all of these. With 19% of the Welsh population able to speak it, Wales is officially recognised as bilingual. In fact, in an area of North Wales called the Llyn Peninsula, over 70% of people still use it as their first language.

6) Tallest aqueduct in the world

Designed and built by Thomas Telford and Williams Jessop, the Pontcysyllte (meaning ‘bridge that connects’) aqueduct is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This impressive feat of engineering was completed in 1805. It stands at 38.4m high and holds 1.5 million litres of water. If you have a head for heights, it’s possible to cross the aqueduct by kayak. Would you dare look down?!

7) North Wales would fit into Australia 1223 times

North Wales is a real powerhouse when it comes to breathtaking landscapes, outdoor adventures and world firsts. Yet its mountains, rivers, forests and coastline are compact enough to squeeze into Australia 1222.89 times!

So when you’re planning your next adventure and you just don’t have enough annual leave from work to spend weeks trekking across the outback or riding trails in BC, remember, adventure is much closer than you think!

North Wales is definitely our top tip for adventure travel this year. And it’s so much easier than ever before to explore this incredible little country.

So if you’re ready to experience a whole new adventure, check out our multi activity holidays for these memorable experiences and more. Or see the sights by hike or by bike with one of our experienced, local guides.