Walks
Snowdonia National Park is one of the main mountain walking regions in Britain. The most popular destination is Yr Wyddfa, whose English name is Snowdon, which at 1085 m (3560 ft) above sea level is the highest mountain south of the Scottish border. The easiest path starts just three miles away in the village of Llanberis, which is also the starting point for the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The only rack and pinion railway in Britain, it was constructed in 1895 and some of the original steam locomotives are still used.
There are several routes to the summit, all of which can get very busy in the summer. This leaves the rest of the mountain range relatively quiet and it is still possible to enjoy an exhilarating but peaceful walk even at the busiest times of the year.
If you prefer less strenuous walking, across the road from the Mountain Railway by the lakeside is the Padarn Country Park. Here you can visit the Slate Museum and the Quarry Hospital and enjoy walking the waymarked paths with their views over the lakes to Snowdon or do a full six-mile circuit of the lake.
Just a few miles away you can find gentle but scenic walks to Aber Falls or Llyn Idwal amongst others.
Cycling
This area offers both interesting challenges over mountain passes to the superfit cyclist and peaceful rides along undulating country lanes, coastal roads and cycle tracks for those seeking a more leisurely excursion. Off-road devotees will find plenty of interesting tracks, and bikes may be hired from several centres.
The Welsh National Cycle Route (Sustrans Route 8) passes within a few miles of us. We have logged some suggestions from Graianfryn on our Getting around without a car page. Bring your bike, we can store it safely overnight in our garage..
Rock climbing
Snowdonia is a popular destination for rock climbers, with the Idwal Slabs within 20 minutes’ drive.
Skiing
There is an artificial ski slope and toboggan run at Capel Curig, within 30 minutes drive.
Horse Riding
The nearest facilities are 8 miles away in the village of Waunfawr.
Parks and Gardens
Bodnant Garden (20 miles away) is one of the world’s finest.
Owned by the National Trust, Bodnant is open from Easter to late November. Bodnant is considered the best woodland garden in Britain. In the spring there is a glorious display of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, while autumn brings the rich red seasonal colours. Throughout the season you can enjoy the splendid terraced formal gardens.
Plas Cadnant on Anglesey is closer, lovely gardens and tea room but it’s not open every day so it’s advisable to check times before visiting.
Glynllifon, about ten miles away, features elegant gardens, fountains, woodland and follies.
Portmeirion, 20 miles away, is the famous Italianate village created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis on a secluded peninsula in Cardigan Bay.
Portmeirion was the setting for the sixties television series The Prisoner and is surrounded by woodlands containing Himalayan flowering trees and rhododendrons.
Golf
9 hole course at Llanrug, two miles from Graianfryn.
Bird Watching
A great diversity of birds may be observed in the region.
Nine seabird species breed at South Stack on Anglesey, including guillemots, puffins and razorbills. At Traeth Lafan, just east of Bangor, ten species of waders gather, whilst inland in the mountains are woodpeckers, buzzards, sparrowhawks and tawny owls.