If you're looking for ways to fight off the January blues, Wales has got you covered. There's nothing like a high-adrenaline activity to get your heart pumping, and you can do just about anything here, from jumping into lagoons to zooming through the forest.
But what's more is that lots of these adrenaline-high activities are a great way to experience Wales. There are some incredible ways to explore the country from up high in the mountains to down below in the trees.
You're really spoilt for choice when it comes to picking an extreme experience to try out, so we've shortlisted 17 activities that you simply can't miss if you want to bring your energy levels up. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
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Quad biking
There are a number of places you can go quad biking, but one location you won't want to miss in Bridgend is run by Adventure Wales at Parc Newydd Farm in Pyle. Here, you can enjoy the thrills of hairpin bends, racing through the mud and testing your resilience on the twists and turns.
Described by the owners as being some of the "best quad bike tracks in south Wales", the track is also only a 20 minute drive from both Cardiff city centre and Swansea, making it perfect for group events if you're heading to the city after.
Travel in style and be pulled by sled dogs
Mynydd Sleddog Adventures in South Alwen Forest near Cerrigydrudion, is Wales' first and only outdoor activity provider offering husky rides and sled dog experiences in the country. One of the owners, Joe Swiffen, believes that Wales could offer a very bright future for the sport, and is hoping even more people can embrace the sport in 2024.
People can book all sorts of experiences with the business, from a sunrise sled dog ride to a husky ride, whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery in the area.
Explore another world by canyoning
Canyon Wales organises all sorts of canyoning adventures, from basic level to "extreme." Descending into gorges of all kinds, sliding down rapids and walking behind waterfalls is an epic way to experience the stunning mountain scenes in Wales.
If you are feeling really brave, you can also book an abseiling experience. And you don't need any prior experience for these activities, as you will be taught everything you need to know by the team's guides.
Try the fastest zip line in the world
Velocity is a must if you are a thrill seeker in Wales. This zip line, run by Zip World in Snowdonia, is the fastest zip line in the world since 2013. On it, people zoom over Penrhyn Quarry, and take in the incredible views of the mountains in the area.
It is 1.5 kilometres long, and you can reach speeds over 100mph, so it's definitely not for the faint-hearted. Get the best user experience with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android.
Whitewater rafting
If being on the water is more your thing, look no further than the National White Water Centre at Canolfan Tryweryn. You can blast through rivers on a course that has stood out so much it has hosted international whitewater events in the past. Another place you can give this experience a try is CIIW in Cardiff.
According to organisers, what they offer is more akin to rafting abroad than it is to a UK rafting or river float trip, and looks incredible if you want to feel at one with the immersive experience.
Climbing
But if you prefer to stay dry, heading over to West Wales could be your best shout. If you're into climbing, there's all sorts on offer here.
At Morfa Bay Adventure in Carmarthenshire you can enjoy low-altitude climbs 6ft/2m above the ground to the 30ft/9m abseil tower, before testing your skills on rocky sea crags. The views are also amazing round here, so it is well worth the visit.
Throw yourself into the treetops
On a similar note, a high ropes course is also a must in Wales. Go Ape at Margam Country Park is perfect for anyone who loves adventure in the tree tops. And it is ideal for people who want a taste of adventure without being pushed too far out of their comfort zone.
Here, there are lots of zip lines and opportunities to get physically involved, without being so high up that it feels frightening. And Pulpit viewpoint is a must if you are visiting, to get an impressive perspective over Devon, Somerset, Gower Peninsula and Glamorgan Heritage Coast.
See Wales in all its glory by coasteering
There are some incredible coasteering experiences in Wales, and you can get all sorts of experiences. But one spot well worth the visit is back where it all began in St Davids in 1986, where coasteering originated.
You can take part in some fantastic activities with TYF, the "adventure pioneers" which made the world fall in love with the coasteering experience. People can explore the Pembrokeshire coast with them and enjoy the jaw-dropping cliffs where they take groups walking, swimming and paddle boarding to get a feel of the gorgeous coastline in the area.
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Jump into the blue lagoon
A bucket list must-do in Wales is jumping into the blue lagoon at Abereiddi. Surrounded by rugged rocks and some remaining ruins, it gives visitors a real glimpse into the area’s industrial past.
And for adrenaline junkies, if you follow the appropriate safety measures, it is a beautiful spot to go rock-jumping. Visiting the location has become a bit of a social media trend recently, with countless fun videos online of people marvelling at the water where the scenery looks other-worldly.
Feel some proper speed by Go Karting
Go karting is always a good idea if you're looking for a boost of adrenaline. There are lots of locations where you can get involved in the activity, and one place where there's all sorts going on is GYG karting in Conwy.
People can challenge themselves to taking on the track in groups no matter what level you are. And they've had some great reviews from customers who have visited, with one person writing on their website; "Absolutely fantastic. Track was awesome and the best I've been on.
"Great location, great venue and just all round great set up. Definitely worth a visit."
Throw yourself into an assault course
There's definitely a high energy activity for everyone in Wales. One thing you might not have thought of trying before is a muddy assault course. Set within four acres at Adventures Wales activity centre in Porthcawl, this place tests people's abilities to make it through 20 obstacles including tyre runs, monkey bars, muddy crawls, vertical walls, as well as their famous tyre maze.
This "ninja style" course is also referred to as a "military assault course" as it has been designed as a real challenge for people to try.
Kayaking
What better way to experience the sea than kayaking? Sea Kayaking Wales offers all sorts of expeditions for various levels of kayaking to get people comfortable with the skill, on Anglesey’s coast and Llyn Padarn, Llanberis, Snowdonia.
The expeditions look incredible, offering people the thrill of exploring within the safety of a group while visiting a number of dramatic locations.
Paragliding
One of the most adrenaline-inducing ways to take in Wales has got to be paragliding. You can book onto experiences with places like Tandem Paragliding UK, where flights take place in Rhossili, Talybont, Heol Senni, Marros, Pandy, Moel Feity and others.
According to their website, flying a paragliding tandem flight as a passenger is the "most accessible way" to experience the joy of paragliding without committing to a course or having a pilot licence.
Get closer to the water by river bugging
Another one for water-lovers is river bugging. It's a whitewater sport where a single person navigates a stretch of river in a craft known as a "river bug." You either sit upright between the tubes or put the backrest down and lie on your front, and it is definitely a high energy way of immersing yourself in nature.
You can give it a go in Wales at Whitewater Active in Llangollen having had no experience in the sport before, but you must be able to swim.
Skiing
You don't have to go far to enjoy the thrill of skiing. The slope at Pembrey Country Park in Llanelli is one of the only remaining dry ski slopes in Wales.
And if you're an experienced skier or a beginner there is something for everyone to get on board with. And if you want to mix in the adrenaline with something a bit tamer, there is cycling, golfing and more also at the centre.
Zoom through the forest
This has got to be one of the best adrenaline experiences in Wales. Run again by Zip World, the UK's only alpine Fforest Coaster looks incredible. You can zoom through the trees on a one kilometre track, aboard a toboggan-style rollercoaster near the village of Betws-y-Coed.
And people can get really involved while on board, as well, as they can control the brakes, allowing them to go as fast (or as slow) as they wish.
See the sights via speed boat
While you might enjoy being in the thick of it with whitewater rafting or river bugging, there's another high adrenaline activity you can try out that might be closer to home if you're in a city. Speed boats are a great way to enjoy the coast, especially if you are just passing through somewhere and want to hop on a boat quickly to get a feel of a place.
You can even do it in the capital. Cardiff Jet has all sorts of speed boat tours, from quick round-trips like the twenty five minute boat from Cardiff Bay to Penarth and back, to a 50-minute jet-powered trip from Cardiff Bay out to the Bristol Channel, and back. What is the most extreme activity you have tried in Wales? Let us know in the comments below.
