‘It is a very unique experience to say that you have zip-lined over the Principality Stadium’
APROJECT that has been 14 years in the making has opened at Cardiff’s famous Principality Stadium, and means the capital city can now be seen in a totally different way.
The stadium is now home to a rooftop walk, zip line, and abseil providing both adrenaline and stunning views of Cardiff.
We went along for an exclusive look at the incredible experience and to give all the new activities a go. Called Scale, these activities open to the public on Monday.
Prices start at £44 and you can choose to add on the zip line and abseil at extra cost.
You enter Scale on the Riverwalk, which is alongside the River Taff and has now reopened, and are taken in for a safety briefing before being kitted up. Wearing an extensive harness, you then start the climb to the top of the Principality Stadium, which is up 15 flights of stairs. You may be slightly out of breath at the top, but if you plan on taking on Scale soon, wrap up warm – it is definitely colder up there!
Once at the top, you are met with amazing views of the city, particularly of the River Taff flowing into Cardiff Bay and the trains coming and going at Cardiff Central station. Then you head to walk over the arch, where the views become truly jaw-dropping.
The arch takes you over the actual rugby pitch and somehow the stadium looks even bigger from above. You can really feel the rich history of this iconic Welsh building, the memories of crucial rugby games won and lost, and the lingering screams from fans giddy with excitement from seeing artists like Harry Styles and Beyoncé.
This perspective of possibly the best-known landmark in Wales is a view I will never forget. You continue over the arch, taking in views north and east of the River Taff stretching into Bute Park, Cardiff Castle, and the city centre.
From the stadium walk it is also very easy to see the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff Arms Park, and Sophia Gardens, meaning you can take in all of Cardiff’s sporting stadiums.
Then you head to Crow’s Nest, where you walk out over the River Taff.
This might not be for the fainthearted; it is phenomenal to find yourself standing over the River Taff.
Then it is time for the zip line, which is on top of the Principality Stadium and 60m from the ground, an extra 25m on top of the stadium, and 170m long. The zip line is fun, you get to soar over part of the stadium, and it actually isn’t too fast, making it great for all the family to enjoy.
It is a very unique experience to say that you have zip-lined over the Principality Stadium, and the real adrenaline kicks in when you take on The Drop.
This is the abseil down the side of the Principality Stadium as you head back down to earth, and this is where my heart really started pumping. It is a long way down and you are just dangling in the air; I was a mixture of nerves and excitement as I was talked through how to do it. The worst part is when you have let your feet go off the solid board and just dangle. You are given the option to wave, which I timidly did at first before getting up my confidence, and soon I was loving it.
Dangling off the Principality Stadium is something I never thought I would do, and it is breathtaking as you take in the views as you lower yourself down in mid-air. The nerves quickly disappeared and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I am sure it is something I will never come close to doing again.
Throughout, the staff were exceptional, making me feel safe and confident at all times. They were chatty and relaxed and really added to the ease and enjoyment of the experience.
Overall, if you are looking for stunning views you will enjoy the stadium walk, for something for all the family try out the zip line, and for an adrenaline hit do the drop. It is great to see the well-loved Principality Stadium expanding to offer more and it’s certainly something to add to your Cardiff bucket list.