Updated Itinerary!
Discover Wild Swimming in Eryri (Snowdonia)
Discover some of the best wild swimming in Eryri (Snowdonia) on this fully guided, sociable two-night break based at a woodland cottage in Capel Curig. This car-free weekend includes free station pick-up from Bangor, comfortable ensuite accommodation, expert local swim guides, and easy access to lakes, rivers, and waterfalls – including a lake just five minutes’ walking from the cottage.
Perfect for beginners and regular wild swimmers alike, this relaxed weekend combines great swimming, gentle exploring, good food, and the chance to meet like-minded people in one of North Wales’ most popular wild swimming areas.
Duration: 2 Nights
Accommodation: Cottage
Transport: Car-Free Experience
Group Size: Maximum 8
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Pricing & Accommodation: From £350 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.
Is this trip right for me?
Most people on our trips come on their own
Groups are small, friendly and fully guided
Walking is at a steady pace with regular breaks
There’s no pressure to be super fit or super chatty
If you’re new to Large Outdoors or unsure whether this trip suits you, our Start here page explains how our walking and wild swimming trips work and what it’s really like to join.
Find out more before booking:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/new-to-large-outdoors-start-here
If you’d prefer to ask a question first, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
Booking Calendar…
Explore the wild waters of Eryri (Snowdonia) with expert guidance and a sociable stay in remote woodland cottage.
Explore the wild waters of Eryri (Snowdonia) with expert guidance and a sociable stay at Bryn Engan, a welcoming woodland cottage tucked away near Capel Curig. With a lake only a short walk away, this is an ideal base for relaxed swims, pre-breakfast dips, and evenings spent together after a day in the water.
This weekend is designed for anyone keen to discover wild swimming or build confidence in new locations. Whether you’re trying wild swimming for the first time or already enjoy cold water dips, you’ll be supported by experienced Large Outdoors swim guides who focus on safety, good practice, and helping everyone enjoy the experience at their own pace.
Across the weekend we’ll visit a mix of clear mountain lakes, quiet river pools, and waterfall swims, chosen to suit the group and the conditions. There’s time to relax between swims, warm up with hot showers back at the cottage, dry your kit, and enjoy unhurried evenings with the group.
This is part of our popular car-free trips, with an optional station collection from Bangor, making it easy to join without bringing a car.
Why Wild Swim in Eryri (Snowdonia)?
Eryri (Snowdonia) is one of the UK’s best areas for wild swimming. Mountain ridges frame deep lakes, rivers wind through wooded valleys, and waterfalls create natural plunge pools that are perfect for short, refreshing swims.
Wild swimming here offers more than just time in the water. It’s a chance to slow down, explore the landscape in a different way, and enjoy the well-known benefits of cold water swimming – from improved mood and energy to better sleep and resilience.
With small groups, expert guidance, and a friendly atmosphere, you’ll have time to build confidence, learn good habits, and enjoy swimming safely in a supportive setting.
Suggested Itinerary
We always adapt to weather and conditions, so this plan is flexible – but here’s what to expect:
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Arrive at Bryn Engan from 17:00. Your Large Outdoors host will be there to welcome you, show you around the cottage, and help everyone settle in.
Dinner will be cooked at the venue and served at around 19:00. If you expect to arrive much later than this, we recommend eating on route before you arrive.
For those joining by train, we offer an optional station collection from Bangor Train Station at 15:00. This must be booked in advance – full details are provided below.
The evening is relaxed and social, with time to meet the group, talk through plans for the weekend, and get ready for the days ahead.
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For the keen early risers, there’s an optional pre-breakfast dip in the nearby lake, just five minutes’ walking from the cottage. It’s an ideal spot for a short swim, followed by hot showers and breakfast back at the lodge. If you’d rather enjoy a lie-in, that’s absolutely fine.
After breakfast, we head out into Eryri to explore some of the area’s best wild swimming locations. Expect a mix of mountain lakes, quiet river pools, and waterfall swims, chosen to suit the group and the weather.
Throughout the day, our guides will cover safety, best practice, and techniques for cold water swimming, helping everyone feel confident and comfortable in the water. We’ll break for lunch and continue swimming through the afternoon.
Back at the cottage, there’s time to warm up, shower, dry kit in the dedicated drying areas, and relax before enjoying a group dinner in the evening.
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After breakfast, we pack up and leave the cottage, then head out for one final swim in the morning. It’s a great chance to revisit a favourite spot or try somewhere new, depending on conditions.
We’ll finish with a café stop before returning to Bangor Train Station for drop-off between 14:00 and 16:00.
Everyone heads home refreshed, relaxed, and with plenty of new swimming ideas to take away.
Wetsuit & Kit List
Please see our Wild Swimming Kit List.
Wetsuit Advice:
We strongly recommend bringing and wearing a wetsuit for all our wild swimming trips. While skin dipping is always an option, the nature of our trips – with multiple swims each day – means that without a wetsuit, your body temperature may drop over time, and you could miss out on swims as the day goes on.
A wetsuit helps you stay warmer for longer, allowing you to fully enjoy the experience. It also offers protection from jellyfish, barnacles, and sharp rocks, plus added buoyancy and comfort in colder water.
Ultimately, the decision is yours – but please be aware that in some remote locations, our guides may deem it unsafe for you to take part in a swim if you're not adequately equipped.
Essential Information
Activity
Duration: Two nights, three days
Activity: Wild Swimming
Group Size: 8
Age: 18+
Dogs: No Dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Transportation:
Car-free Experience: Free pick-ups from local train stations, or make your own way to the accommodation. All transport during the trip is included.
Pickups - must be booked in advance.
Free collection from Bangor Train Station at 15:00.
Notes: If you've travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket) to allow for flexibility.
Timings:
Check-in from: 17:00
Train Station Collection: Bangor Train Station at 15:00
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 14:00 - 16:00.
Not Included:
Travel to and from the meeting location or station pick-up.
Any extras, excursions, or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Any food, drinks, or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurants, pubs, or cafés visited.
Swimming Ability & Fitness
Although you will need to be able to swim, you do not need to be long-distance swimmer by any means.
We are not aiming to swim miles, instead enjoying a greater number of more leisurely swims where you can really take in the views and scenery and appreciate being immersed in the natural world. We will not be heading into open water.
Accommodation
Name & Address:
Bryn Engan
Plas y Brenin
Capel Curig
LL24 0ET
Please note we are staying in a cottage in the grounds of Plas y Brenin, please do not go to the main centre as this is incorrect.
Directions: Please use these and NOT post codes, sat nav.
Head to Caffi Siabod, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0EL, just over the road you will see a turning that has gated access and Bryn Engan on the gate. The code will be sent out a few days before, go through the gate and follow the signs.
Type: Cottage
Rooms Available: Single Rooms, Twin Rooms, Double Rooms, Shared Rooms
Bathrooms: En-suite
Parking: Free Parking available at the accommodation.
Meals:
Breakfast - A continental breakfast is provided and this includes, cereal, toast, fruit, yoghurt.
Packed Lunches - We provide a packed lunch for the Saturday swims, Sunday we will pop to a cafe post swim and this is not included.
Evening Meals - Group meal included in the venue.
Soft Drinks - Tea & Coffee are provided.
Alcoholic Drinks - Not included. If you’d like a drink with dinner, please feel free to bring a bottle!
Vegetarian, vegan, and meals made from gluten-free ingredients can be provided. Please select the relevant options during checkout.
Kits List: Wild Swim Kit List
FAQ’s: Answers to our most common questions
Please note on this trip we do not supply dry robes, please ensure you have plenty of warm clothes with you.
Travel insurance: We recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, and injury and death.
Booking FAQ’s
Can I book with a deposit?
Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.
Booking Calendar!
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.