The Natural Partner to the Ffestiniog Railway
Blaenau Ffestiniog, 13.5 miles north-east of Porthmadog at the top of the Ffestiniog Railway, is one of the most remarkable industrial landscapes in Europe. The town sits in a bowl of mountains almost entirely covered in slate — the visible evidence of 200 years of quarrying that once made this the slate capital of the world. In 2021 the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, including Blaenau Ffestiniog, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting There by Train
The obvious and enjoyable way to visit Blaenau Ffestiniog from Porthmadog is on the Ffestiniog Railway. The steam-hauled journey through woodland, moorland and mountain scenery takes about 60 minutes and is a remarkable experience in its own right. The approach to Blaenau through the quarry landscape is dramatic — the mountain above the town is almost entirely composed of slate waste.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns
The Llechwedd site is the main attraction in Blaenau, offering underground experiences in the caverns where 19th-century miners worked. The Deep Mine tour descends steeply into the mountain on an underground tramway before exploring illuminated chambers. The Victorian village above ground includes a pub (the Bounce Below zip-wire attraction operates nearby). Advance booking strongly recommended.
Zip World
Zip World at the nearby Llechwedd quarry offers extreme adventure activities including the world’s longest zip line (Velocity 2) and other high-adrenaline experiences in the slate landscape. Popular with teenagers and adults; book online in advance.
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