Hongian Ffest 2026

Hongian is a community-led, not-for-profit weekend of trad climbing, bouldering, hillwalking and outdoor workshops, rooted in the culture and spirit of this extraordinary corner of Eryri. Whether you're a seasoned climber or brand new to the outdoors, there's something for everyone from skill-building sessions to social gatherings.

BMC Hongian Ffest a’r Daith / On Tour – Bethesda 2026

Back in 2015, the Hongian youth climbing project began in two quarry communities: Blaenau Ffestiniog and Bethesda. What started as a grassroots project to get young people climbing has grown into BMC Hongian Ffest, a bilingual climbing and outdoor festival rooted in North Wales’ quarry landscapes.

For 2026, Hongian is going on tour.

This year the festival heads to Bethesda, returning to one of the places where the Hongian story began. Surrounded by the slate landscapes of Dyffryn Ogwen and a strong local climbing culture, it’s a great setting for a weekend of climbing and time out in the hills together.

BMC Hongian Ffest is Wales’ only bilingual climbing and outdoor festival, and we’re looking forward to bringing Hongian to Pesda.

What’s Happening

We’re putting together a weekend of climbing, music and good company in and around Bethesda. The full programme is still coming together, but here’s a taste of what’s planned.

• Trad climbing sessions with Calum Muskett
• Youth climbing and bouldering with Si Panton and Osian Parry
• Scrambling days for young people and adults
• Trail runs with Kathryn Roberts and Calum Muskett
• Sport climbing, bouldering and family climbing sessions

There’ll also be films, chats from local climbers, stalls, and an acoustic set from Lewis Perrin, with music into the evening from Elemental Rwts.

More details will be announced as things come together.

By the Community, For Everyone

Hongian Ffest is a not-for-profit festival run by volunteers, with support from the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and local partners. Sessions are affordable and welcoming, with the aim of getting more people onto the rock and into the hills.

Join Us in Bethesda

We’re looking forward to bringing Hongian back to Pesda**** and celebrating the climbing culture that helped shape the project.

If you’d like to take part, help run sessions, or volunteer, get in touch.

BMC Participation Statement:

When you book onto a session at Hongian Ffest, you are accepting responsibility for your own actions in line with the BMC participation statement:

“Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering can provide life-long physical, social and mental health benefits through exercise and adventure in amazing environments. The BMC recognises these activities involve a risk of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.**”

Participants should recognise that even when good practice is followed, there remains an inherent risk in these activities.

We reserve the right to end a session early or ask a participant to leave if they are putting themselves or others at risk. This also applies to anyone behaving in a disruptive or discriminatory manner.

For everyone

Hongian Ffest is not-for-profit, run by passionate volunteers and supported by the BMC, Outdoor Partnership, and Urdd. All sessions are affordable or Pay What You Can, and every donation goes directly into growing and sustaining the festival for the future.

Come for the climbing, stay for the community - and help us celebrate 10 years of Hongian Ffest in the best way we know: together, outside, on the rock.