If you’re an adrenaline junkie, thrill seeker, exercise enthusiast or if you simply have energy to burn, Cardiff has so many places where you can get your fitness fix. Here are some suggestions to help you break a sweat.

Where to: Go skateboarding

Spit and Sawdust

This indoor street-inspired skatepark is a whopping 7,000 square feet in size. It's suitable and for all ages and abilities, with the options to free skate, join classes, have private tuition, hire gear and make friends. As well as banks, blocks, hips, moveable kickers and bars, there's an 11ft high outdoor vert ramp for experienced (and brave!) skaters.

RampWorld

Welcoming all sorts of indoor extreme sports on wheels, including scooters, skates, skateboards, BMX bikes and extreme wheelchairs, RampWorld is another friendly place to practice everything from the basics to flips, grab tricks and grinds. There's a bowl area, spine, mini ramps, street sections and halfpipes. The foam pit and Resi ramp give you a softer landing when trying to learn new skills.

Where to: Ice skate

Vindco Arena

Home to the mighty Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team, Vindco Arena is a purpose-built ice skating arena with two rinks. There are public skate sessions every day, as well as courses for all abilities and figure skating practice sessions. Bring your own skates or hire some from the arena.

Large modern building.
Two people skating across the ice.

Vindico Arena, Cardiff, South Wales

Where to: Go climbing

Boulders Indoor Climbing Centre

Suitable for all ages, Boulders is a great way to have fun while getting active either on your own, with friends or as a family. You can turn up with zero experience and before you know it, you're up a wall under the expert guidance of qualified instructors. There are walls ranging from 4-12m in height and all equipment is provided.

Where to: Ride on water

Cardiff International White Water

The UK's first on-demand, Olympic standard white water rafting facility is based in Cardiff International Sports Village. On site at CIWW, you can take part in a vast range of water-based activities including canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, tubing, stand up paddleboarding and indoor wave surfing. There are trained facilitators to guide you on your adventure, or, if you're already experienced, you can park and play under your own steam.

Kayaks on the water
People sat on a blue raft on the water

Cardiff International White Water, Cardiff Bay, South Wales

Where to: Zoom around in go karts

Teamsport Cardiff

Get your heart - and the rest of your body - literally racing at Teamsport Cardiff, a purpose-built karting facility off Newport Road. The 500 metre multi-level track has straight stretches for gaining super-fast speed, hairpin turns, wide bends and plenty of opportunities to sneak past your opposition. The 200cc karts average 40mph, with each lap coming in around 40 seconds. Now, that is fast!

Where to: Run, walk or cycle

 

Cardiff is a brilliant city for those looking to go for a run or a long walk. Its mix of urban areas, green spaces and dedicated trails means that there's something for most tastes. The Taff Trail reaches from Cardiff Bay to Brecon, over 50 miles of pathways and countryside, and can be enjoyed in small or large sections as you please.

You could take your feet along part of the Wales Coast Path: go from the Wetlands Nature Reserve in Cardiff Bay, loop past the Norwegian Church where Roald Dahl was baptised, then cross over the Barrage to reach the pretty seaside town of Penarth.

For parks, Bute Park, nestled behind Cardiff Castle, is a lovely place to explore. Roath Park is very popular with runners thanks to its flat 5km loop around pretty rose gardens, a large boating lake and its landmark lighthouse. The pavement route is well lit, making it ideal for year-round early morning and evening runs.

There are also a number of organised ParkRun sessions across Cardiff parks, namely routes in Bute Park, Trelai Park, Grangemoor and Tremorfa. Check the ParkRun website for specific details.

Ding Cycle Tours guided bike tours are a great way to see the city on two wheels.

wooden boardwalk with grenery and fences, with boats in the background.
Exterior view of the Norwegian Church

Wetlands Nature Reserve and the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Castle Summer Room

Cardiff Castle

Attraction
Cardiff
Landscape of the attractions at Cardiff Bay seen from the water.

More ideas

Search for activities in Cardiff to find other exhilarating options.

Related stories