4.7

| 23 reviews

Hike, SUP and Wild Swim in Snowdonia

United Kingdom

2 nights

Moderate

A rejuvenating weekend in Eryri (Snowdonia), a wild Welsh wonderland

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with qualified open water swim coach and SUP instructor

Bell Tent

2 nights in bell tents

Meals

2 breakfasts & 2 lunches

Transfers

Transfers between camp and the activities

Equipment

Paddleboard, paddle & buoyancy aid, tow floats for swimming

Small Like-minded Groups

Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people

From

…

excluding flights

What's it like?

4.7

| 23 reviews

July 2024

Sara H.

June 2024

Lindsey M.

June 2024

Lindsey M.

June 2024

Lindsey M.

June 2024

Lindsey M.

This was a fantastic trip from start to fin...

July 2023

Michaela

July 2023

Michaela

July 2023

Michaela

July 2023

Michaela

Wonderful weekend away, with Jim and his te...

June 2023

Francesca

June 2023

Francesca

June 2023

Francesca

Absolutely magical weekend of hiking, SUP'i...

April 2023

Jessica

April 2023

Jessica

April 2023

Jessica

Great weekend, highly recommend. Guides loc...

October 2022

Clare

October 2022

Clare

October 2022

Clare

Highly recommend this adventure in this bea...

October 2022

Kate

October 2022

Kate

October 2022

Kate

October 2022

Kate

Amazing trip, good variety of activities an...

October 2022

Steph

October 2022

Steph

October 2022

Steph

An excellent foray into the magical Welsh v...

September 2022

Shaun

September 2022

Shaun

September 2022

Shaun

Such a wonderful weekend! Couldn’t have bee...

August 2022

Poppy

Hike through pristine Snowdonian landscapes to reach idyllic wild swim spots such as Llyn Dinas, with friendly local guides

Paddleboard across Llyn Padarn, one of the largest glacially formed lakes in Wales, and discover hidden lagoons and inlets

Camp beneath the stars in bell tents with spectacular mountain views of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park

Key Information

Day 1

Settle in to Snowdonia (Eryri)

Make your way to Pen Y Bwlch campsite and settle into your bell tent. Enjoy the views of the Snowdon and Glyderau mountain ranges before meeting your fellow adventurers and guides in the early evening for a chat through the adventure, which kicks off tomorrow.

Day 2

Hike to secret swim spots

Adventurous Ewe, Snowdonia, Wild swim & waterfalls

Hiking

2-3hrs · 6km

Wild Swimming

1-3hrs

Wake up to birdsong, enjoy a camp breakfast and start the day with an easy hike to Llyn Dinas - a beautiful lake with a mountainous backdrop. This is a shallow lake, which makes it the perfect place for your first wild swim led by your friendly local swimming guides. Tuck into lunch before hiking through tranquil woodlands to a series of pools where you can take a dip in the calm section or a rush under the mountain cascades. You'll then return to camp for sunset and a well-earned bunk down.

Day 3

SUP and swim

Stand Up Paddleboarding

3-4hrs · 6km

Wild Swimming

1hr

Enjoy your final camp breakfast before heading to Llyn Padarn, one of the largest natural lakes in Wales, carved out by glaciers pouring down the valley from the surrounding peaks of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Hop on your paddleboard and set off to explore the many lagoons and inlets. Grab a final wild swim before the adventure comes to end and you head home, refreshed and rejuvenated.

Day 1

Bell Tent · Multi share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Bell Tent · Multi share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Breakfasts at camp include a selection of cereal, toast, muesli, fruit, pancakes, waffles, porridge, locally sourced yoghurt, tea and coffee. Packed lunches include sandwiches, crisps, cake and chocolate. You'll need to bring your own snacks and drinks for the activities each day. Dinners are not included; your host will arrange a trip to the Glyntwrog Inn – a friendly village pub in the heart of the Welsh countryside, offering a great selection of drinks and serving hearty food made using locally sourced ingredients. You should budget around £20 for dinner and a drink (or a bit extra if you fancy a few post-swim pints!).

All dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan, can be catered for: just make this request on your passenger information form.

What is the accommodation like?

Pen y Bwlch Off-grid Camping

Nestled in the spectacular Caernarfon countryside, Pen y Bwlch overlooks mountains and rivers on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. This is a secluded retreat with lots of space and an off-grid feel, but it’s also just a 15-minute drive from Llanberis, at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Simple facilities include eco-composting toilets, hot showers and drying facilities in the barn. You'll stay in bell tents, with up to four people sharing. You'll need to bring your own sleeping bag, sleeping mat and pillow.

Upgrades

There are not enough bell tents to offer a private bell tent, however, your host can provide a private standard tent if you prefer to sleep alone. See Optional Extras for the price.

This trip has been rated as Moderate

The hikes are very easy going and the paddleboarding is gentle as you explore the inlets and coves of a calm lagoon. The wild swims are more about being immersed in Snowdonia's natural landscapes, feeling the rejuvenating effects of cold water wild swimming. As a mixed ability group, you'll swim as far as the group is comfortable with, learning lots of skills and developing techniques as you go. You should be able to swim basic front crawl comfortably for 25m in a pool. The wild swimming sessions are not suitable for beginner swimmers, but are perfect for beginners at wild swimming. Wild swimming inherently carries some risk, but every care is taken to make sure you have a safe swim. There will be a qualified open water coach in the water, as well as a safety paddleboarder. Your host will monitor the conditions of the water and the weather to make sure that every session takes place in the safest spot. Therefore, your flexibility is required with the itinerary and swimming locations.

Daytime temperatures in Snowdonia average from 11-14 °C in the spring and 16-18 °C in the summer. It’s sunny and clear for about half of the days each month. The water temperature in the lakes and rivers will be between 12°C to 17°C, depending on the date of your trip and the prior weather conditions. It can sometimes get wet and windy in Wales!

The Area

Logistics

Starts

Bangor Station or Pen Y Bwlch campsite

18:00 at Bangor Station / Anytime from 15:00 at Pen Y Bwlch

Ends

Bangor Station or Pen Y Bwlch campsite

16:00

Transfers

Your host runs a group transfer from Bangor train station at 18:00 on Day 1 and a return transfer to Bangor train station at the end of the trip on Day 3 at 16:00. Please contact your host for more details and to sign up to the group transfer. You will need to ensure your return train ticket is for a departure after 16:30 on Day 3.

Travel options

If you are making your own way to Pen Y Bwlch campsite, you can take a train to Bangor train station and then a taxi from there to Pen Y Bwlch. There is onsite parking for any guests who drive their own car to the site.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What's Included

Paddleboard, paddle and leash
PFD (life vest)
Tow float (for swimming)
Wetsuit

What do I need to bring?

BAGS
Soft duffel bag or rucksack
Daypack (15-25 litres)

SLEEPING
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag (three season)
Pillow

CLOTHES
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Fleece jacket or similar
Trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Warm hat
Something to sleep in
Waterproof hiking boots (worn-in)
Lightweight shoes for around camp

SWIMMING
Swim cap
Wetsuit (if you want to use your own in the lake - we suggest 3-5mm)
Neoprene gloves and socks (optional)
Goggles
Towel, changing robe or dryrobe

OTHER
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Face mask
Headlamp
Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)

OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Energy bars and snacks
Camera

*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Solo tent

Payable Before Departure

Solo tent

…

Sara H.(July 2024)

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Hike, SUP and Wild Swim in Snowdonia

A rejuvenating weekend in Eryri (Snowdonia), a wild Welsh wonderland

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

Bell Tent

Meals

Transfers

Equipment

Small Like-minded Groups

…

What's it like?

Key Information

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

What is the food like?

What is the accommodation like?

Pen y Bwlch Off-grid Camping

Upgrades

The Area

Logistics

What's Included

What do I need to bring?

Our Purpose

Book With Confidence

Positive impact adventure travel

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