Wales is one of the best places in the United Kingdom to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities. From the rugged peaks of Snowdonia in the north, to the Brecon Beacons in the south; from the lively North Wales coast to the remote beauty of the Gower Peninsula, there's an adventure waiting for everyone! Here are our top ten suggestions for some unforgettable experiences in Wales.

White-knuckle river rides

Whitewater rafting © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

The wild rushing rivers of Wales, topped up with regular rainfall, are perfect for enjoying whitewater rafting. Experience the excitement of travelling down stream in an inflatable dinghy as you bounce and spin over rapids, soaked in spray, adrenaline pumping as you speed along! The National White Water Centre, near Bala in North Wales, is the only commercially rafted stretch of water in the UK that compares to whitewater rafting worldwide. The Tryweryn river, on the other hand, mixes the intensity of an Olympic-grade whitewater course with a journey through the Snowdonia National Park.

Surf's up!

Surfing in Wales © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

Wales offers some of the best surf in Britain as the Atlantic winds whip in from the west. Dotted with first rate beaches for all abilities, Wales is a magnet for surfers from all over the world. The best destinations include Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire, perfect for beginners; Llantwit Major near Cardiff, with its spectacular cliffs as a backdrop, and Hell’s Mouth on the Llŷn Peninsula, which attracts surfers from far and wide when the conditions are right. And if time is short and you want guaranteed surf breaks, Adventure Parc Snowdonia is home to a world-first surf lagoon!

Soar through the air

Zip World Velocity © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

Zip World Velocity is the longest zip line in Europe and the fastest in the world. Four parallel lines soar for a mile over the Penrhyn Quarry in Snowdonia, which was once the biggest quarry in the world. Lying flat in a special harness, riders fly solo through the skies at over 100mph, 500ft above a lake, experiencing the nearest thrill to flying. Alternatively head to Adventure Parc Snowdonia, a hub of indoor and outdoor adventures, and have a go at drop jumps and zip, with 9 and 12 metre drop jumps.

See the shore from sea level

Coasteering © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

Coasteering is an exhilarating activity invented in Wales which is all about exploring the coast at sea level, without the aid of boats, boards or other craft, just a wet suit and a buoyancy aid. It involves jumping, scrambling and swimming as you get to see the beauty of the coastline from a completely different angle. As well as being great fun, coasteering is an incredible way to immerse yourself in nature and to experience the diversity of marine life. Head to Anglesey or Pembrokeshire for unforgettable experiences.

Many a mountain to climb...

Rock climbing © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

The prospect of scaling the vast mountains and valleys of North Wales might cause some trepidation, but there are plenty of skilled and friendly climbing experts and guides in the area to provide a thrilling adventure without fear. If you’re new to the climbing game, you may want to find your feet at a purpose-built centre designed to help you get your feet off the ground. The 30ft LC Climbing Wall in Swansea has eight lines and 20 different routes to choose from. Further west at Morfa Bay Adventure in Carmarthenshire, you can progress from low-altitude climbs 6ft above the ground the to the 30ft abseil tower, before testing your new-found skills on rocky sea crags.

The freedom of horse riding and pony trekking

Horse-riding © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

Wales is the perfect place to enjoy the freedom of horse riding for riders of all abilities and it's a fun activity to include in your itinerary. Whether your looking for a simple lesson or two, a memorable beach ride or a gentle woodland trek, there is so much choice. The Vale of Glamorgan offers great pony trekking combining coast and country, just 30 minutes from Cardiff. Riding in Snowdonia – always taken at a sedate pace because of rough ground – is not just an audience with nature, it’s a front-row seat beneath the highest mountains in Wales.

Gorgeous gorge walking

Gorges - great for exploring! © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

Gorge walking, or gorge scrambling, is the ultimate way to explore mountain streams! You’ll need an expert instructor for this activity: follow them as you teeter across narrow ledges, climb and hop from rock to rock, jump into pools and squeeze your way around narrow, water-filled valleys. It’s a real adrenaline thrill! With its varied, mountainous landscape, Snowdonia is the perfect location for gorge walking.

Sizzling sailing spots

A great place to sail © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

With over 870 miles of coastline, Wales is a great place to sail! Follow in the wake of Olympic sailors or learn the ropes off the coast, or on an inland lake. Plas Menai, the National Watersports Centre, is based on the Menai Strait overlooking beautiful Anglesey. It offers Royal Yachting Association accredited beginners courses, as well as advanced courses and week long courses. Reservoirs such as Llandegfedd near Newport or Llangorse in the Brecon Beacons offer calm safe conditions for learners. But if sailing for you is also about a sense of freedom, the largest natural lake in Wales, Llyn Tegid in Bala, is broad enough to pick up speed in prevailing south west winds.

Magnificent mountain biking

Mountain biking © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

From mountains to valleys, exercise your adventurous side on the mountain bike trails and tracks of Wales. Great scenery and a varied terrain make it the perfect backdrop for testing your biking skills! The UK’s first specialist mountain biking centre, Coed y Brenin in north west Wales offers purpose-built, all-weather single-track routes which will get experienced riders’ pulses pounding, while there are gentler options for more casual cyclists. From single swoops to wide rocky roads, test your nerves in the saddle across Afan Forest Park’s more than 80 miles of track in the Neath Valley.

Wonderful walking tours

Wales is perfect for a walking tour © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales

Of course, we’re not all of an ability for jumping, swimming, climbing or riding, and Wales has some of the most wonderful walks you can imagine. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path was ranked as the world’s second best long distance path by National Geographic, and its 186 miles passes 58 beaches and 14 harbours. Offa’s Dyke is an ancient earthwork which runs alongside the border between Wales and England. This 177 mile trail which follows it was highlighted by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s greatest walks. Find out more about our tailor-made walking tours.

If your clients would like to enjoy an adventure tour in Wales taking in a selection of the many outdoor activities on offer, please do contact our friendly team today and we can put together the perfect tailor-made itinerary. We’ve highlighted here just some of the many exciting things your clients can enjoy in Wales, but if there's anything else they long to do, contact us and we will do what we can to create their dream vacation!