Plas y Brenin — National Mountain Sports Centre
Plas y Brenin is the most important mountain-skills institution in Britain, a grand Victorian building perched above the Mymbyr lakes that has trained generations of climbers, kayakers, and mountain leaders since the 1950s. Even if you're not signing up for a course, the bar and café are open to all — and the view from the terrace over Llynnau Mymbyr is one of the best in Snowdonia.
A Living Legend of British Mountaineering
Owned by Sport England and managed by the Mountain Training Trust, Plas y Brenin runs year-round courses covering everything from beginner hillwalking to advanced alpine skills, rock climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking. It is widely regarded as providing gold-standard instruction across all aspects of mountaineering and paddling.
The centre sits less than a quarter of a mile south-west of Capel Curig village on the A4086, in the broad Dyffryn Mymbyr valley. Its position — surrounded by peaks exceeding 1,000 metres on three sides — makes it feel far more alpine than its modest altitude suggests.
For Non-Course Visitors
Day visitors are warmly welcomed at the café and 60-seat restaurant, which serves freshly made food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. The on-site bar also opens to non-residents and offers that extraordinary lake-and-mountain view with every pint.
The centre's facilities include a climbing and bouldering wall, a heated rolling pool for kayak training, and a conditioning suite — all of which hint at the serious business happening here daily.
Courses for Every Level
Beginners can book taster adventure days covering paddling, mountain biking, or climbing, while more experienced visitors can pursue nationally recognised qualifications in mountain leadership. The 'Have a Go' sessions are a particularly accessible entry point for families and first-timers.
BMC members receive a 20% discount on key introductory courses and 10% off food and drink at the restaurant and bar — worth checking before you book.
Plas y Brenin — National Mountain Sports Centre on video
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