THIS BLOG NEEDS ALL LINKS RE-LINKING
As a holiday destination, North Wales has a little bit of everything. In this second of two blog articles, we set out to whet your appetite for some of the region's best attractions using the letters of the alphabet.
Otherwise, keep reading for N to Z!
N is for Nant Ffrancon
Sir Anthony Hopkins once declared Nant Ffrancon as one of his favourite places, and who are we to argue? It's a stunning valley stretching from the slate village of Bethesda to Ogwen Cottage at the foot of Cwm Idwal. It was one of three amazing mountain passes we described in this blog.
O is for Ogwen - Cycle route
Among the many fabulous cycling routes around North Wales, Lon Las Ogwen is one of the finest. One thing that makes this route stand-out is the fact it is off-road for most of the way. The other thing is the scenery - start from Port Penrhyn near Bangor, head inland and cycle deep into Snowdonia.
Blog: snowdonia from the saddle
P is for Portmeirion
It's one of the most popular destinations in Wales, but with good reason. Portmeirion is magical in every way. The coastal location, the local micro-climate (think palm trees), the Italianate-style "village" designed by Williams Clough-Ellis, all adds up to a wonderful place to visit, especially for groups.
Q is for Quarries
From a distance, Snowdonia's slate quarries might look like scars on the landscape. Up close, they are jaw-dropping feats of human endeavour, from a time when North Wales roofed the world. Some of the quarries and mines can be safely explored, too, as we describe here.
R is for Railways
One of the most enjoyable ways to see North Wales is by train. Fortunately, several routes twist and wind through the valleys, some from coast to coast, creating unique journeys. Most are narrow-gauge routes, a delight for families and enthusiasts alike, as this article explains.
S is for Snowdon
At 1,085 metres high, Snowdon is the tallest mountain in England and Wales. It's also one of the most popular to walk up. Our hotel is right at the start of one of the most well-used trails to the summit, but there are many, quieter ways to explore this wonderful mountain.
Blog: snowdon summit walks from Llanberis
T is for Trekking
Trekking is the number one pastime in North Wales. Yet Snowdonia's peaks offer rock-strewn landscapes, knife-edge ridges and precipitous cliffs too, all of which combine to make scrambling and bouldering popular outdoor activities. This blog explains the differences between the three.
Blog: hiking scrambling bouldering
U is for Underground
What do you do when it's raining in North Wales? Go underground! Many of our mines have been preserved with sections opened to the public, including the prehistoric Copper Mines on the Great Orme and the slate mines near Blaenau Ffestiniog. We listed slate caverns and Llanberis's own hydro-electric power station in our seven wonders of Wales blog.
V is for Views
Here in Snowdonia, we've got views, views, views! With Snowdon right on our doorstep, it can be harder than you think to get a really good look at our highest mountain. These three walks give you different perspectives on the peak that gives our national park its name.
W is for Weddings
Get married or just hold your reception with us. Our hotel boasts an unrivalled location amidst mountains and lakes, with 30 acres of mature Victorian gardens and woodland and a real Welsh castle right next door. It's the perfect setting for beautiful photographs and an unforgettable occasion. Learn more here.
X is for X-Country Running!
OK, we struggled with X! But we did think of cross-country (ie, x-country) running, which is a big deal in North Wales. Events don't come much bigger than the Snowdonia Trail Marathon, put back to October 18 this year (usual month July) because of the virus outbreak. It's a great event for entrants and spectators alike.
Y is for Y Garn
We have a bit of a soft spot for Y Garn, a 3,000ft mountain in the Glyderau range (across the valley from the hotel). Unlike its neighbours, Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, Y Garn sees fewer visitors, but the views from the summit are awesome. Walk from the hotel or tackle the peak via the fearsome Devil's Kitchen from Ogwen Cottage. This blog describes Y Garn along with all Snowdonia's 3,000ft summits.
Z is for Zipwires
North Wales has become famous for the fastest, longest, most out-and-out crazy zipwires in the world! Making unique use of vast slate quarries (underground too!), zipwire attractions are among the many world-class experiences you can enjoy in Snowdonia, as our article explains.
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