Why visit Bala?
Life around the lake
Lake Bala is the largest natural lake in Wales – and that means plenty of space for all sorts of outdoor activities around its two square miles of surface area. The area’s two sailing clubs are open to visitors who would like to go out kayaking, canoeing or yachting, and there’s some excellent fishing to be done too, as the lake’s waters are full of salmon, trout, pike and other good-sized fish. It’s also home to the rare gwyniad, a small white fish that’s only found in Lake Bala (it’s critically endangered though, so please leave those ones in the water…)
Ride the railway
The 14-mile circular walk around the lake is a great day out if you’re feeling energetic – but there’s also a wonderful alternative if you’re not up to such lengthy hikes. The narrow-gauge trains of Bala Lake Railway run for nine miles along the lake’s southern shore, allowing you to view some of the splendid scenery from a comfortable seat. It’s a popular day out for kids and grownup railway enthusiasts alike, and it’s also a good option for those who’d like to make the lakeside hike a bit easier by breaking it up with a train ride.
Stunning scenery
The lake may be the main draw for visitors staying in Bala, but there’s more to the village than that – it also makes a great base for simply exploring the surrounding area. And as the surrounding area is the Snowdonia National Park that means lots of spectacular scenery to be seen, whether you choose to head out on one of the hiking routes from the village, paddle along a canoe trail or simply set out for a scenic drive.
Essential Bala days out
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If you’re in search of more dramatic watersports than those on the calm lake, drive for a few minutes to the National White Water Centre to get that adrenaline going
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Get your heartrate up back on dry land by tackling the downhill mountain bike trails ar Coed y Brenin Forest Park, about half an hour’s drive away
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Or maybe you’d like to get your thrills while flying through the air? ZipWorld Fforest, near Betws y Coed, is the place for that, with ziplines, treetop nets and a toboggan to tackle
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For more leisurely pursuits, try a stroll around lovely Caerau Gardens – it’s very welcoming for families with kids too
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Take a short drive for more water-filled scenery at nearby Lake Vyrnwy
- Leave the lakes and mountains behind for a day at the coast, perhaps on the beach at Porthmadog or exploring pretty Portmeirion
Unexplored Bala
Meet Mary Jones
On the northern side of the lake is the intriguing Byd Mary Jones World, a heritage centre that tells the story of a young lady who went on a local pilgrimage to acquire a Welsh-language copy of the Bible. The interactive exhibits here are fun and informative, and aim to help visitors understand not only the story but also what it shows about the importance of religion and language.
Look out for more lakes
Snowdonia is a land of lakes, so don’t stick to just the one: it won’t take very long to drive to other scenic spots like Afon Tryweryn or Llyn Trawsfynydd, which usually don’t attract the crowds of Bala. Alternatively, you could set out to see some of the nearby waterfalls, like Rhiwagor or Pystyll y Cain, or head out on one of the area’s many hiking trails to see what kind of little streams and lakes you can find along the way.
Here’s how
Pitchup is designed to make it easy to find a Bala campsite that’s just right for you. There are traditional tent campsites, of course, plus places to park your motorhome or caravan – and we’ve got all sorts of glamping options in Bala too, from cosy shepherd’s huts to spacious yurts and tipis.
Our list of filters will help you narrow down the choices to the ones that are just right for you. If you don’t know quite where to start, try one of these popular collections:
Adults-only campsites near Bala
Bala campsites with electric pitches
Dog-friendly camping near Lake Bala
Away from Bala there are plenty of other gorgeous places to explore around this part of the world, so perhaps you’d like to look at all our Snowdonia campsites, or venture over to Anglesey? There are lots of top spots to visit all over Wales, so if you’re planning a tour have a look at all of our Wales campsites.
If you’re new to the camping life, you can learn all the basics and pick up some handy hints by reading our camping guide (yes, it covers glamping, caravans and all sorts of other things too…)
