Explore the depths of the Llechwedd slate mine in North Wales, home to the world’s deepest underground mini-golf course. This subterranean golfing adventure challenges players with 18 holes spread across four floors, offering a unique and thrilling experience that takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. The temperature in this underground golf haven hovers around 44°F.
To embark on this extraordinary journey, don a mining helmet and descend 152 meters (498 feet) into the abandoned cave, once a bustling quarry dating back to 1846. Originally employing a workforce of 17,000 during the Industrial Revolution, the quarry extracted an impressive half a million tons of distinct gray rock annually. Today, operated by Zip World, it has transformed into an adrenaline-fueled hub for outdoor enthusiasts.
Unlike conventional golf courses, participants at Llechwedd slate mine must ride Europe’s steepest cable railway to access the first hole, descending a distance equivalent to Pebble Beach’s par-three 17th (160 meters). Navigating through the course involves maneuvering around ancient mining tools and equipment strategically placed as obstacles. The climax of the game involves sinking the final putt into a miniature mineshaft, accompanied by the option to trigger a detonation lever, creating a dazzling light display reminiscent of controlled detonations used by miners.
For those seeking other underground golfing experiences, Ahlgrim Acres in Illinois boasts a nine-hole course situated directly above a fully operational funeral home, while the Turda Salt Mine in Romania offers a six-hole mini-golf venue 120 meters beneath the Transylvanian soil, rivaling Llechwedd’s record.
In addition to golf, the Llechwedd mines feature Bounce Below, a 930-meter trampoline complex suspended on a net 55 meters above the cavern floor. Thrill-seekers can also enjoy a heart-pounding underground traversal course featuring 13 zip lines, rope bridges, and tightropes. Guided tours provide insights into the mine’s history, including the unexpected export of cheddar cheese matured 152 meters underground for three months by South Caernarfon Creameries.
Above ground, adventurers can experience Titan, Europe’s first multiple-zip line, allowing up to four participants to compete while soaring over the quarry and surrounding mountains, reaching speeds of up to 114 kilometers (70 miles per hour) and descending a staggering 746 meters (2,450 feet).
