Travel: Finding Abundant Adventure in Wales

July 25th, 2015 • BY Zofia Reych

Whether you’re an adventure rookie on the lookout for the first major destination or a seasoned vagabond with your blood containing more adrenaline than oxygen, Wales is the place for you.

Where did you say it was?

If you happen to be unsure, I don’t blame you. (Try asking your average European to locate, say, Wisconsin.) Wales is one of the four countries that form the United Kingdom, and it lies in the South West of the British Isles. Welsh people call their country Cymru, and its official languages are Cymraeg and English. While Wales appeals year round, May is the sunniest month.

How to get there

The cheapest option is to fly into London. Train travel is quite expensive in the UK so it makes sense to rent a car, drive it to Wales, and then enjoy the motorists’ freedom once you’re there.

What to do

Wales has it all: sandy beaches ideal for relaxing, and the more rugged ones, like Hell’s Mouth, temping surfers with big waves. Snowdonia national park offers endless hiking, running, and MTB trails, as well as excellent scrambling. If you fancy a little bit of exploration, hunt the internet for “Snakes, and ladders (and tunnels).”

No, not the board game. It’s a secret trail that leads through derelict slate quarries; once upon a time the beating heart of the Welsh economy, now a favourite spot for explorers and climbers. It’s not entirely legal, so I shall say no more…

Climbing is the real deal

North Wales is a climber’s paradise. The area around Llanberis Pass feels like a remote, rugged place, while a pint and an excellent pie are actually just half an hour away.

Welsh sea cliff climbing is an exciting and involved pastime, with Gogarth being the mecca and the proving ground for at least three generations of adventurous climbers. Nearby slate quarries are as unique as they are challenging, and climbing there is as much about the rock as it is about the atmosphere.

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