Please note: The Old School Lodge does not preferentially endorse any Activities’ listed within these pages.
Walking/Hiking:
The Old School Lodge has easy access to one of the major walking areas in the country. There is a wide range of excellent walking routes available from exhilarating mountain walks and scrambles to low-level and valley routes.
For hill-walkers the Llanberis Path to Snowdon summit starts just behind the Mountain Railway station at the top of Victoria Terrace in Llanberis (No 85 bus from Deiniolen). Pen-y-Pass at the top of the Llanberis Pass is not far away for the Pyg and Miners paths as well as the start of the Snowdon Horseshoe (Sherpa S1 bus from Llanberis). From Rhydd-Du and Beddgelert there’s access to the Snowdon Ranger, Rhydd-Du and Watkin Paths to Snowdon summit. The Glyders range can be accessed by paths from Nant Peris just up the Llanberis Pass and by driving over to Bethesda and down the Nant Francon (A5) to Ogwen Cottage. There are literally hundreds of routes to choose from! Consult a good hillwalking guide book. (Note many routes in this area, particularly the high mountains are designated T2 by the Scout Association and require specific MHM Activity Authorisation. Check with your Mountaineering Advisor beforehand.)
There are also many low level rambles/trails in the valleys. From Llanberis there are three suitable low level rambles: 1. Around the village, castle and waterfalls (about 1-hour), 2. Around Llyn Padarn (half day), 3. Around Dinorwig and the Slate Quarries down to Llanberis (half day). Guide leaflets available and also from the Tourist Info. Booth at Padarn Country Park. There are also 4 waymarked slate trail walks, walks along the Menai Straits, and the 4 Valley’s Trail. In the Ogwen Valley a walk around Cwm Idwal offers an exciting low-level walk in the mountains with opportunities to study many geographic features of the landscape. Path guide and map available from tea bar by Mountain Rescue Post at Ogwen Cottage car park (SH649604).
Bike hire information from the Warden. Delivery/pick-up service from Centre offered by some hire firms. Low-level off-road cycling and Trailquest in Beddgelert Forest (Beddgelert Bikes, Caernarfon - Beddgelert road A4085 http://www.bikeworld.uk.com). Established network of cycle trails on old railway lines (Lonydd Glas routes). Maps available from Tourist Information Offices. Useful Link: http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_section.asp?cat=3407
Beacon Climbing Centre(SH534607). Large indoor climbing centre with routes for everyone. Instruction and taster sessions available. Not easy to find so lookout for direction signs for ‘Beacon’ The entrance road is just a narrow track which may present a few problems for a minibus. From Llanberis take the A4086 toward Caernarfon for 3 miles. Just before the village of Llanrug turn left by the Glyntwrog Pub (SH542632). Pass through Ceunant and follow the road uphill for about another 1½ miles, then slow down for a track entrance on the left marked with a large white Beacon sign. Follow this track for 400m past the Chamois Mountaineering Centre to the car park.
(Dinghy & Yacht Sailing, Canoeing, Windsurfing): Plas Menai. National Watersports Centre, Port Dinorwic (SH503661). Towards Caernarfon on A487, 6 miles from A55 Expressway (Exit 10). Large National Watersports Centre. Full range of courses and activities for all ages.
Fish for Brown Trout and Arctic Char from Llyn Padarn and salmon and sea trout from local rivers. Permits (through Seiont, Gwyrfai and Llyfni Fishing Society) available from the Pet Shop in Llanberis. http://www.hgt.gwynedd.gov.uk/sg/default.htm
Vivian Diving Centre. Recreational inland dive site with diver training and development. P.A.D.I. School S3525 - courses available from beginner to advanced. Located in the Vivian Quarry (SH587605) at Padarn Country Park, Llanberis.
Open weekdays 10.00 to 5.00 weekends 9.00 to 5.30. Tel: 01286 870889.http://www.viviandivecentre.co.uk
There are a number of AALA approved centres in the region that provide outdoor activities that are worth considering especially where qualified instructors are required.
(More details at: http://www.aala.org/providers_results.php/region=North%20Wales)
The largest centre in the area is Plas-y-Brenin, MTT National Mountain Centre in Capel Curig (SH717578). This runs courses in many mountain activities (climbing, abseiling, mountain walking, orienteering, canoeing, skiing, snowboarding). They also do multi-activity days and weekends for young people and families. Facilities include: climbing gym with an 11 metre high climbing tower and training wall open daily 10am-11pm. Instruction for groups can also be arranged; small ski slope with a variety of slope angles and features, suitable for skiers and snowboarders, open daily from 10.30am to 8.30pm. Ski equipment is available for hire and qualified instructors can be hired by the hour or half day (pre booking needed); and canoe pool facility for developing confidence, paddle strokes and rolling technique which is available for hire every day on an hourly basis to groups of canoeists (discounts for BCU members). (http://www.pyb.co.uk/about.htm)
