Walking and cycling activities in the Bala area

The Bala Lake area is surrounded with mountains and forested areas offering extensive walking, cycling and mountain climbing opportunities.

Guided Walking Holidays

Adventure Plus is a small company that specialises in providing guided walking holidays and other multi-activity holidays. With house party style accommodation and walks tailored to the participant's requirements.

The walking activities are led by a qualified Mountain Leader with the relevant first aid qualification.

More info & booking

Bala Challenge

The Bala Challenge charity walk will be held on Saturday, 10 May 2008.

There are 3 challenging walks for participants to choose, all offering extensive views of the Bala area.

The Bala Challenge: a 20 mile walk around Lake Bala, including part of the Aran ridge
The Bala Lake Circuit: a 14 mile walk around Lake Bala
The Bala Lake Ramble: an 8 mile walk with the option of returning by steam train from Llanuwchllyn

For more details and application forms: Bala Challenge website

Cycling

There are opportunities for leisure cycling suitable for the whole family on quiet roads, dedicated tracks around lakes or along a former railway line with estuary views.

For those wanting a challenge, there are several hill climbs over mountain passes around 1,000 ft high; and Bwlch y Groes, the highest road pass in Wales, is internationally known. For mountain bikers there are routes through forests and moorland.

R.H. Roberts Cycles

Surrounded by mountains as it is, there is plenty of scope for mountain biking

Mountain Bike Hire with bikes available for groups or individuals.

Roberts Cycles also have available a range of junior bikes, trailer bikes and child seats for family groups.

With over a 100 years of experience in supplying bicycles, Roberts are the Bala bicycle sales, hire and repair centre.

More information

Mountains & Forests

Mountain Ranges
To the west of Bala is the Arenig mountain range with 13 summits above 2000 ft (610 m). Arenig Fawr (854 m) is the principal summit.

To the east of Bala is the Berwyn mountain range with 24 summits above 2000 ft. The best walk in the Berwyns is Cadair Berwyn (2723 m/ft 830 m).

To the south of Bala is the Aran mountain range with 14 summits above 2000 ft including the famous Aran ridge. The Aran ridge covers the principal summits including Aran Fawddwy (2969 ft/905 m) & Aran Benllyn (2904 ft/885 m).

Forests
Spreading up from the eastern banks of the lake is the Penllyn Forest, which can be reached and passed through via Cwm Hirnant on an unclassified road that weaves through the forest to moorland and eventually reaches Llyn Efyrnwy (Lake Vyrnwy).