Thrilling outdoor activities to try in Wales

Wales packs a lot of adventure into a small country. In one weekend you can raft white water in Cardiff, jump waterfalls in the Neath Valley and paddle a calm reservoir, while North Wales adds coasteering, sailing and mountain biking. Here are the best places to book thrilling outdoor activities in Wales, from the south coast to Anglesey.

Cardiff International White Water, Cardiff Bay

Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) sits in the International Sports Village and is home to the only rafting course in South Wales. It runs no matter the weather, which makes it a reliable pick for groups, birthdays and first-timers. Book white water rafting, ride the indoor wave on a body and knee boarding surf session, or go white water tubing for something sillier.

CIWW also runs gorge walking in the Neath Valley for anyone aged 8 and over, so it's a handy one-stop shop for a mixed group.

Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre, Fairwater

About 15 minutes from Cardiff city centre in Fairwater Park, Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre lets you ski and snowboard all year on its dry slope. It's the place to learn the basics before a trip abroad or to polish your turns. First-timers can start with a Level 1 ski lesson or a beginner snowboard lesson, and there are mini ski lessons for children aged 4 to 6.

Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs, Cardiff

On the northern edge of Cardiff, Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs has a visitor centre, café, walking trails and watersports, open all year. The water is calm and sheltered, so it suits families and nervous paddlers. Hire a paddleboard, a kayak or a canoe, or book an open water dip if you fancy a bracing swim.

Llandegfedd Lake, near Pontypool

Llandegfedd Activity Centre sits on a peaceful reservoir in the countryside between Cardiff and Newport. The lake has clean, deep water with no weed, and the centre offers hire, tuition and land activities too. Hire a paddleboard or a single kayak, try a cold water dip, or fish from the bank for trout.

Porthcawl Surf School, Rest Bay

Porthcawl is one of the best places to learn to surf in Wales, and the long sandy beach at Rest Bay has a consistent break that suits beginners. Porthcawl Surf School specialises in well-structured lessons for first-timers. Book a beginner surf lesson, or sign up for the adult beginner surf course over four weeks if you want to stand up with confidence.

Adventures Wales, Porthcawl

Adventures Wales is based in Porthcawl, around 35 minutes from Cardiff, and runs high-energy days out for friends, families and groups. Its most popular session is gorge scrambling in a natural river gorge near the Brecon Beacons, with big waterfall jumps, boulder hopping, caves and rapids. You can also book a full day of white water rafting on a real river, or take on the muddy assault course with over 20 obstacles, from monkey bars to the famous tyre maze.

River rafting depends on water levels, and if the river isn't suitable the team switches to gorge scrambling, so check with them the day before. For the assault course, bring a full change of clothes and shoes.

RIPNROCK, Neath Valley and Gower

Swansea-based RIPNROCK heads into the Neath Valley, known as waterfall country, for some of the best canyoning in Wales. Canyoning on the River Mellte means big jumps and bumpy white-water slides, while gorge walking near Glynneath is family-friendly from age 7. If you'd rather stay dry, book rock climbing on the Gower coast or in the Welsh valleys.

Llys y Frân, Pembrokeshire

Llys y Frân is a lake in Pembrokeshire with a visitor centre, café, cycle hub, walking trails and a campsite. With clean water and no tides, it's a gentle place to paddle, and there's plenty to do on land. Try archery or axe throwing, have a go on the Crazi Bugz, or hire a paddleboard for the lake.

Elan Valley, mid Wales

Elan Valley covers 72 square miles of the Cambrian Mountains, with spectacular dams, rolling countryside and walking trails. It's a brilliant place to ride, with routes for all ages and abilities. Hire an adult bike, or take an e-bike for a gentler family ride with help on the hills.

HYDRO Abersoch, Llŷn Peninsula

HYDRO Abersoch runs RYA courses from the coast at Abersoch on the Llŷn Peninsula. Powerboating is the headline: start with RYA Powerboat Level 1 or go straight for the Level 2 course. You can also learn to sail on the RYA Start Sailing Level 1 course, or try a wing surfing lesson.

Anglesey Adventures, Anglesey and Eryri

Anglesey Adventures runs adventure days on Anglesey and across North Wales from its base near Holyhead. Coasteering is the classic here, with swimming, scrambling and cliff jumping along the coast. You can also book rock climbing, abseiling or family kayaking, or head inland for family gorge scrambling at the Afon Ddu for ages 8 and up.

Llyn Brenig, Conwy

Llyn Brenig covers over 2,500 acres of forest, moorland and lakes in the North Wales uplands, with a visitor centre, café, osprey exhibition and adventure playground. The lake is one of the best top-of-the-water trout fisheries in the UK, and anglers need to book a Llyn Brenig permit in advance. Everyone else can hire an electric bike or a mountain bike and explore the trails.

Tips before you go

• Have a wet-weather plan. The CIWW rafting course and the Cardiff dry slope run in most weather, and a bit of rain makes no difference when you're getting soaked in a gorge anyway.
• Rivers change. Gorge scrambling, canyoning and river rafting depend on water levels, so guides may adjust the route or the activity after heavy rain or a dry spell.
• Check age limits. Most gorge walking and canyoning starts at 7 or 8, and under-16s usually need an adult with them.
• Pack for getting wet. Wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids are usually provided for water activities. Bring a towel, warm clothes for afterwards and a full change of clothes, and check your booking for anything else to bring.
• Plan your travel. The South Wales options cluster around Cardiff, Porthcawl and Swansea, while North and mid Wales are more spread out, so a car makes life easier.

Find more things to do in Cardiff, Porthcawl, Swansea and Pembrokeshire on eola.

Planning more adventures? Read our guides to white water rafting in Wales, stand-up paddleboarding in Wales and canyoning in the UK.

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