The idea of a break in Snowdonia for my clan was to cram as many family-friendly outdoor activities as we could into a weekend, writes Mark Hodson.

Our task was made easy by the fact that Snowdonia has a wealth of attractions all within easy reach of each other. Plus, we were staying inside the National Park at Cae’r Blaidd, a gorgeous five-star Victorian country house.

Cae’r Blaidd in Llan Ffestiniog is owned and run by Bob and Vicky Field, experienced mountain guides who offer guests a raft of activities including rock climbing, orienteering, hill walking and abseiling. There’s below-ground adventure too, in the area’s abandoned slate mines.

Bob, one of only a few guides in the region qualified to take visitors into these mines, led me and Callum down a dark tunnel into a series of vast caverns. I had expected a claustrophobic experience but some of the chambers are as big as churches – and there are seven storeys of them.

Back at the surface we drove to the pretty town of Betws y Coed. Just outside, in woodlands overlooking the Vale of Conwy, is Tree Top Adventure, a challenging high ropes course built by former Royal Marine Sean Taylor.

It may look daunting, but Tree Top claims to have the world’s most sophisticated safety system. Provided you have a head for heights, there’s nothing to worry about. The course, a dizzy mix of high beams, rope bridges and a zip wire, culminates in a spectacular 50ft drop that simulates the experience of freefalling.

Gillian was the unlikely star of the high ropes course. Normally, her idea of heights is a pair of five-inch heels, but she completed it with ease. My only wobble came at the final leap into nothingness.

The next day was altogether gentler – and greener. We headed south to Coed-y-Brenin near Dolgellau, 9,000 acres of rugged hills and woodland cared for by the Forestry Commission. The forest has become one big adventure playground, with some of Britain’s – if not the world’s – top mountain bike trails.

We tackled the Animal Puzzle Trail, a mile-long waymarked path that zigzags across the forest floor and along the banks of a small river.

But Snowdonia isn’t all mountains and forest. With the sun shining we headed to the coast. The A493 is one of those roads that you don’t want to end. Emerging from the lush Dyfi Valley, it twists and turns, hugging the northern shore of the estuary until it reaches the seaside town of Aberdyf.

Buckets and spades have never been put to better use. The beaches here are sensational, with miles of golden dunes and a wooden jetty where the children fished for crabs. To cap it all we watched yachts in a local sailing regatta dancing across the waves as we ate ice cream.

Before heading home there was just time to squeeze in a visit to the RSPB hide at Glaslyn near Porthmadog, where visitors can gaze at the only pair of breeding ospreys in Wales. For the past five years the two birds have arrived from Africa and nested in the same treetop near the village of Garreg. Once their chicks are strong enough to fly the coop, the parents go their separate ways.

It was time for us to fly. We had packed a lot into a single weekend, but there was still so much more do to – mountain biking, white-water rafting, coastal walks, castles, climbing and more little railways. There’s always next year.

Factbox:

Mark and family stayed at Cae’r Blaidd Country House, Llan Ffestiniog, near Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 4PH, Tel: 01766 762765or visit www.caerblaidd.fsnet.co.uk

They visited Tree Top Adventure, near Betws y Coed, Tel: 01690 710914, and Fairbourne Steam Railway, 01341 250362 www.fairbournerailway.com