Guided adventure family walks in our great outdoors

Getting out and about in Snowdonia Mountains and Coast, the UK’s adventure capital, isn’t just for hardcore hikers and extreme sports enthusiasts. Eryri/Snowdonia, Llŷn and the Cambrian Coast welcomes families too – and a professionally guided walk is one of the best ways for explorers of all ages to experience our inspiring land- and seascapes. We’re not just talking about visitors new to the area. There’s a growing appreciation amongst our own local communities that there’s a wealth of places to discover right on the doorstep.

This part of the world is renowned for its space, fresh air and freedom – all the things we’ve been missing in the last year or so. Walking is all about renewal, wellbeing and that direct connection with the natural environment. And we make the going easy, paving the way with a huge choice of guided walks from companies like RAW Adventures. Both have spent years leading groups in all kinds of outdoor activities across the region and are participants in the Eryri Ambassador Scheme so you can be sure you’ll be in safe and experienced hands on walks tailor-made for families. 

Originally from the South of England, Kate Worthington of RAW Adventures came to Snowdonia to pursue her passion for outdoor adventure and find the perfect place for her daughter to grow up. 

As a parent, she understands how vital it is to tailor the walking experience to the party’s youngest members. ‘We’ll often try and dissuade families from doing a big long walk up Snowdon and offer more suitable alternatives,’ she says. ‘We’ve had some lovely walks through Dinorwig quarries, up to Glyder Fawr and around Llanberis. There’s no need to drag their kids up to the top of the mountain when you can have a lovely time going somewhere completely different.’

Undiscovered country

One of the big benefits of heading out with a professional guide is the chance to see some of Snowdonia Mountains and Coast’s lesser-known landscapes. Snowdon’s summit exerts a powerful pull, but it’s only part of a much larger experience. 

While ascents of Snowdon are a big part of their business, RAW Adventures’ family walks showcase a different side of the region. The walk from Capel Curig to the rocky 1,138ft/347m summit of Clogwyn Mawr is perfect for younger explorers while still providing some stunning views of the Snowdon Horseshoe.  

There’s also the rounded Moel Eilio range above Llanberis, which combines easy-going terrain with lots of grassy hills for kids to roll up and down. The climb up to Cnicht (sometimes called the Welsh Matterhorn) is another popular family route, featuring some fun rocky scrambles in a compact and manageable mileage. 

Landscape lessons

A professionally guided walk is also a great way to learn more about the landscapes of Snowdonia Mountains and Coast. Look upon it as an outdoor classroom or the chance to rediscover your own backyard. ‘We try and open up people’s eyes to aspects of their landscape that they might not be aware of,’ says Kate. ‘That could be historical stories and legends, information on how the valleys and mountains were formed, explaining Welsh place names and pointing out types of rock like quartz and slate. That can then lead into the history of industries, people and communities in the area. Ideally, people go away having learned something they didn’t know before.’

But a guided family walk isn’t only good news for the younger party members. ‘Some families have commented that joining a group with another adult leader can engage the kids more,’ explains Kate. ‘It allows the parents to relax a bit as maybe the kids won’t act up as much as they do with Mum and Dad.’