Perched high on a hillside above Bala, Alula is an off-grid cabin built for slowing down. Think a log burner, an outdoor bath with a view across the valley and night skies full of stars. Our roving reporters Emma, Merry and Coal spent a weekend here in September 2026 and came home completely recharged. With Eryri on the doorstep, it is a cosy base for two and their dogs.
For dogs...
One flat £35 fee covers your whole pack, with no limit on the number of dogs. That is a rare find and a brilliant deal for multi-dog households.
A welcome pack with treats, a bowl, a towel and poop bags will be waiting. Merry and Coal called it excellent service – and they were even allowed a quick cuddle on the bed.
The garden around the cabin is fully enclosed, so dogs can potter about while you put the kettle on. The fence is around a metre high, so keep a closer eye on athletic breeds.
For humans...
Off-grid does not mean roughing it. There is a hot shower, a woodburner with logs and kindling supplied, and a king size bed with Piglet in Bed bedding. A sunken outdoor bath sits on the decking, perfectly placed to soak in the view.
There is no TV, but there are books, board games and blankets for stargazing. As Emma put it: “Off-grid, off the map and surrounded by nothing but nature. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Bala is under ten minutes away by car for pubs, cafes and supplies, and Rhug Estate farm shop is close by for breakfast or provisions to cook back at the cabin.
- Dog Bowls
- Dog Treats
- Enclosed Play
- Log Burner
- Multiple Dogs Allowed
- Parking
- Rural Walks
- Welcome Hamper
Good to know
Overview
Alula is a one-bedroom off-grid cabin high on the hillside above Bala, looking down the valley towards the peaks of Eryri. It sleeps two adults in a king size bed.
The cabin runs on solar power, with USB-C sockets only, and has a composting toilet and a hot shower. Inside you will find a kitchen with a hob and fridge, a woodburner, blackout blinds, books and board games. Dark Arts coffee beans with a grinder, loose leaf tea, olive oil, salt and pepper are provided, along with Faith in Nature toiletries and towels. Spare wellies are there if you need them.
Outside, the decking has a sunken outdoor bath and there is a fire pit for stargazing. One big bag of logs and one of kindling are included, with unlimited firewood available for £20. There is mobile signal at the cabin.
For The Dogs
Dogs are welcome for a flat fee of £35 per stay, however many you bring. A welcome pack with a water bowl, towel, poop bags and treats is provided.
The garden is fully enclosed with a fence around one metre high, so athletic breeds may be able to jump it. Alula is on a working farm and livestock are often in the fields, so keep dogs on a lead to and from the cabin and shut the gates behind you.
Practicalities
Arrival & departure
Check in time: 3pm
Check out time: 10am
Parking
Park by the field and walk around 150 metres uphill to the cabin. A wheelbarrow is left by the parking area to help carry your bags.
Getting there
Around 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Liverpool and 2 hours 15 minutes from Manchester. The nearest train station is Ruabon, about 40 minutes by taxi.
Special Instructions
Precise location details and What3Words directions to the parking area and cabin are provided after booking.
The Area
Alula is a stone’s throw from Eryri National Park, with walks for every ability. Emma recommends quieter peaks such as Moel Siabod or Cadair Idris over the crowds on Yr Wyddfa. For something gentler, Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) is close by and you can walk as far along the shore as you like before turning back.
On a wet day, head for a waterfall. Dolgoch Falls is stunning, Pistyll Rhaeadr is a dramatic drive over the hills into Powys, and the woodland trail on the quieter side of Swallow Falls was Merry and Coal’s favourite walk of the trip, with plenty of off-lead time.
For food, Rhug Estate and the Bryntirion Inn both welcome dogs and are a short drive from the cabin, and Ty Coffi in Bala is a good stop for a late lunch.
For more places to stay, walks and beaches, see our guide to dog friendly North Wales.
Alula is listed in affiliation with Shacks.
Visit their website for more information and to book this pooch-perfect hillside hideaway.
