www. visitwales. com DestinationGolf. travel 31
Walkers on the Mount Snowdon trail
OFF-COURSE ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES Whether travelling solo, with a partner or all the family, North Wales has plenty to keep everyone busy away from golf. Arguably the number one activity in the area if you are moderately fit, is to walk to the summit of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales standing at 3,650 ft( 1,085m) above sea level. You can hike up one of six routes( ranging in distance and difficulty) and come down another or hike up and take the Snowdon Mountain Railway back down. Another hiking option is to walk sections of the 870-mile Wales Coast Path( the world ' s first uninterrupted route along a national coast) opened in 2012.
North Wales is also making a name for itself in the world of adventure activities. On the flanks of Snowdonia National Park, Zip World ' s Velocity at Penryhn Slate Quarry in Bethesda, is the world’ s fastest zip line and the longest in Europe with two 500 ft( 152m) high courses that enable riders to exceed 100 mph( 161 km / h), while Zip World ' s Titan at Llechwedd Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog offers Europe’ s first fourperson line – perfect for thrill seeking families. A short drive east is Surf Snowdonia, a world-first man-made lagoon where amateurs and professional surfers alike can surf a powerful 6.5ft( 2m) wave, under the watchful eye of Welsh National Surfing Champion, Jo Denison.
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Criccieth town and castle
Another major attraction in the region is the narrowgauge heritage Ffestiniog Mountain Railway( the oldest independent railway company in the world run by volunteers) which is roughly 13 miles long and runs from Porthmadog to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, travelling through forested and mountainous scenery.
On the outskirts of Porthmadog is Portmeirion, a tourist village built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between the mid 1920s and 1970s in the style of an Italian village, and it’ s well worth exploring the colourful maze of elaborate villas, scattered domes and lush gardens. Over the years it has served as the location for numerous films and television shows, most notably the 1960s surreal spy drama Prisoner.
And finally, Wales is blessed with castles( there are over a 100 still standing, either as ruins or restored buildings), and spectacularly sited 13th-century Harlech Castle is a must-visit in the north-west region. After exploring this World Heritage site, allow some time to build your own castle with the kids on Harlech Beach situated beyond the dunes at Royal St. David ' s Golf Club.
Welsh dragon sculpture near Harlech
www. visitwales. com DestinationGolf. travel 31