10 Ways to Celebrate the Year of Outdoors in Wales

2020 is the Year of Outdoors in Wales, making it the perfect time for adventure seekers and nature lovers to explore this majestic country. There's much to look forward to, from historic castles and scenic hiking routes to pulse-pounding outdoor experiences that can only be discovered in this part of the world.

No matter the year or season, a trip to Wales' awe-inspiring Conwy Castle in North Wales is a must. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built by King Edward I in the late 13th century and has since had its spiral staircases restored so that visitors can walk a complete circuit around the medieval fortress' battlements.

Just a 20-minute drive from the capital city of Cardiff, Caerphilly Castle in South Wales is equally as stunning and boasts the distinction of being the largest castle in Wales and the second-largest in Britain after Windsor. Family-friendly attractions here such as Gilbert's Maze and The Dragons' Lair will ensure that your entire group is thoroughly entertained.

One of three national parks in Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park spans 520 square miles and is home to not one but four distinct mountain ranges and hundreds of ancient monuments. The scenic trails here make it a phenomenal setting for a reflective walk through nature.

For those who really want to get their adrenaline pumping, Zip World in North Wales is just the place. Here, riders can zip along lines at speeds in excess of 100 mph as they hang a whopping 500 feet above a 200-year-old Penrhyn slate quarry.

Standup paddleboarding is blowing up all around the world, and Wales is no exception. Here visitors will have plenty of excellent options whether they're brand new to the sport or ready to make the transition to paddleboard yoga. Organizers like Psyched Paddleboarding and Good Trails are great places to start your paddleboard tour of Wales.

If you're up for a challenge, consider coasteering. Coined in Wales 35 years ago, the term refers to a unique water sport that involves an array of different movements, including climbing, scrambling, cliff jumping and swimming as you maneuver your way along the coast. The Pembrokeshire Coast is not only where the sport began but is one of the most scenic locales to test your skills.

One of a half-dozen breathtaking dams located within Wales' Elan Valley, the Craig Goch Dam is the highest upstream. Completed more than a century ago, the impressive 120-foot-tall dam spans nearly 400 feet in length. But there's much more to explore here as 80 percent of the Elan Valley itself is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Britain's only coastal national park, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a sight to behold. After all, it was recently rated one of the top two coastal destinations in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. One of the many highlights here is St. Catherine's Island, a small tidal island that's home to the namesake fort and linked to the nearby seaside town of Tenby by Castle Beach at low tide.

The island of Anglesey has been recognized as an "Area of Outstanding Beauty" and is connected to mainland Wales by the Menai and Brittania Bridges, both of which cross the narrow Menai Strait. The Menai Bridge was the biggest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its completion in 1826.

Of course, no trip to Wales is complete without a visit to Snowdonia National Park. This park is home to Mount Snowdon, the highest point in all of England and Wales, at an elevation of 3,560 feet. Visitors will enjoy plenty of fresh air as well as panoramic views of miles and miles of undisturbed mountain and moorland.