Blaenau Festinniog

Nestled deep within the Moelwyn Mountains, Blaenau Festinniog is a world away from the gentle seascape at Garreg Goch Holiday Park and this makes it a great place for a day out to experience the wilder side of Wales. Just a thirty minute drive from the park, or a leisurely steam ride from Porthmadog takes you to a village high up above the tree line where the quarry industry made its’ mark and the scars of that still show in todays’ modern thriving community.

The remains of the industry are clear to see around the locally nicknamed Stinniog with slate heaps and historic relics from a bygone era creating a huge outdoor natural museum. The village itself has a range of independent shops, cafes and pubs. It caters for walkers and holiday makers with its’ walking shops and gift shops but this is also a real community with a book shop and cafes serving homemade food, so it is a place which nourishes the soul with its’ locals welcome and dramatic landscape.  It even houses a Hostel and Cinema named Cell B in the old Police Station.

As well as being the last stop on the picturesque Festinniog Steam Railway line, this place also provides fantastic opportunities for exploration with its’ walking and mountain bike trails.

Blaenau Festinniog mountains in north wales

At the site of the former Llechwydd Slate Cavern there are multiple opportunities for adventure. The history of the cavern can be explored by descending in Britain’s steepest cable railway to learn about the slate industry which existed 160 years ago. This is also the home of Zip World where visitors can fly 1,400 feet over the mountains and enjoy distant view of the Rhinogudd Mountains and Trawsfynydd Lake. Below ground there is more adventure at Bounce Below, a huge play and Trampoline Park underground

In addition the Antur Stiniog Centre offers fourteen mountain bike trails to suit all abilities from beginner to professional level. It serves homemade food in it’s café to which is perfect fuel for the energy required to enjoy these thrill seekers adventures. So for anyone who wants to experience a unique, authentic Welsh environment, or to explore the history of Welsh slate mining, or try out an adventurous activity in the Welsh mountains, Blaenau Festinniog can provide some wonderful opportunities for discovery.

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