Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid), Wales

Lake Bala is the largest natural lake in Wales.  Situated in the rolling hills and mountains of mid-Wales, Bala Lake and the surrounding area offers a great many activities and an ideal location for a day out or staying at the many campsites.

Bala Adventure & Watersports Centre

Situated on the lake shore in the town of Bala the Adventure and Watersports Centre provides a range of activities:

• Sailing
• Canoeing
• Windsurfing
• Raft Building
• Powerboating
• Climbing and Abseiling

(Sat Nav LL23 7SR)

White Water Rafting & Canoeing

Just up the road from Bala is the National White Water Centre.  They run a number of rafting and canoeing courses and experience sessions.

The Tryweryn Safari is their family friendly white water rafting (children must be aged 10 or over).

After changing into your gear the session starts with paddling lessons.  When everyone is ready to go you set off for 6km of rapids, rocks, and waves.

Wetsuits and safety equipments are provided.  The session is about 2 hours.

If you're just passing by, call in, have a coffee and watch the action.  (Sat Nav LL23 7NU)

Bala Steam Railway

The above sounds a bit much?  Take the 9-mile return Bala Steam Railway that runs along the side of the lake.  The train has a stop half-way at an excellent picnic spot at Llangower.

You can even stay in the excellent campsite by the station at the village of Llanuwchllyn.  (Our little boy loved camping by the trains!).

Picnic Spot

Llangower, about halfway around the lake, is our recommended picnic spot.  There's a car park, toilets, train stop, but most importantly, a beach and jetty in a sheltered bay.  You'll often find families setting up a day camp here, paddling and sometimes launching boats.

It's certainly a favourite of ours, and a chance to get our inflatable canoe into the water, and also a picnic stop off point when camping further west in Wales.