The Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge
Take on, Snowdon – Cader Idris – Pen y Fan in under 24hrs
If you fancy taking on the epic Mountain challenge of the Welsh 3 Peaks in one day, but don’t know how best to organise the logistics or to ensure that what you are doing is safe. Then why not join us, we will take all the external issues and worry away to ensure that you can concentrate on the challenge itself. The challenge is a mental and physical one, but one that is made so much easier by being in the great outdoors at some of Wales’s most beautiful and iconic places.
The day is a long one. Be prepared to be at the foot of the first peak at 0600hrs and to finish the last peak around Midnight. We make the logistics as easy as possible by transporting you between peaks and can also arrange the travel back to the starting point, your car or nearest train station to ensure the things run smoothly for you.
This is an ideal challenge for a group of friends, a sports club, charity orgainisation or work colleagues
Pricing guidelines for Private trips
Our packages really are bespoke and we can arrange as little or as much as you want. The best way to get an accurate price, is to get in touch and discuss what the options are and what works best for your group. The following is a guide of the prices based on Hike, Transport, refreshments only.
- 2 persons private trip = £400pp
- 3-4 persons private trip = £315pp
- 5-6 persons trip = £190pp
- School/College/Sports Clubs/Corporate groups = please contact us to discuss
Cost includes, transport, mountain guides and refreshments between peaks.
To discuss options and please contact us on
Looking for another walking experience or team challenge in the Mountains why not check out our other packages coming for 2024. Which include.
- The National 3 Peaks
- The Welsh 3000’s
- The Fan Dance Team Challenge
- 2 Day (One Night) Team Challenge – Brecon Beacons
- WILD WELSH WALKS
To discuss these and get more detail, please contact us.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————The 3 Peaks Challenge – Example Logistics
Wales has many iconic and beautiful mountains and there is no better challenge for seeing and experiencing the diversity of these than taking on The Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge. And to make it a decent challenge we will have 24 hours to complete it.
Timings – Approximately – 6am Start Finish by Midnight (18 hrs) Which gives us a bit of flex time.
We have taken groups via Pen y Fan, Cadair Idris, Snowdon or via Snowdon, Cadair Idris, Pen y Fan.
Which is better? It’s difficult to say, and there are positives for both, but we do believe it is psychologically slightly easier doing it North to South!! But we can work the logistics around what is best for you.
South to North Logistics in More Detail
Starting in the Brecon Beacons and Pen y Fan. “The Fan” is a hike infamous with the military, especially the special forces, making this a fitting place to start. The plan will be to start our ascend at 0600hrs.
Once finished we will make our way along the 86-mile journey through mid-Wales to Cader Idris. It is in our humble opinion that this is the best and possibly the hardest 3 to climb. But the views are worth it. The drive to Cadair is also a very special one!
Once Cader Idris is conquered we will make the 57-mile journey North to Wales and England’s highest peak Snowdon. A real challenge to finish on. The Drive to Snowdon, is not bad either.
And starting in Snowdon, is doing the route in reverse. Starting on the highest point means that once you get to Pen y Fan, you will know you have done it!
What we’ll provide
- Transport from designated pickups in. If you are travelling from another area of the UK, we can arrange a suitable location to meet you or accommodation for you.
- Transport between each climb and back to pick up your Vehicle at agreed location.
- Light snacks and refreshments along the way
- Mountain Leader Guide and support staff.
- Transport will be either people carrier, 4×4 or mini bus (depends on group size)
Why do the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge and Why do it with Us?
- The 3 peaks mentioned are iconic sites in Wales. They are naturally beautiful and offer so much to those who do them. Not only in terms of physical exertion but just being out on the mountains and the completion of such a challenge does so much for your wellbeing.
- Doing it with a group gives you support and encouragement through the difficult bits. It helps to create and build friendships and it’s a great feeling to share an achievement with a likeminded group that have been through it with you.
- These must do peaks in Wales.
- We all lead busy lives and planning such a trip can be daunting and prevent you doing it, so let us do the logistics.
- Safety – You will be looked after and supported by us all the way. The mountains can be a dangerous place, especially if the weather changes and or fatigue sets in. We will manage this for you. And will have experience Mountain leaders supporting you.
- Confidence – Sometimes we can’t find the right people to go with and you may not have the confidence to go it alone.
- Logistics – We know where the car parks are, the best routes up the mountains and the roads through Wales to each location. To make it all run as smoothly as possible.
Fitness
We will not be running up or down the Mountains. We will be Walking/Hiking them. This is a Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge, not race – Other than racing the Sun!
However, in the time allocated the speed of the walks/hikes will have to be a brisk one. There will be time to stop on the paths to the summits for drinks, photos and a breath! and time at the top to enjoy the views and achievement.
It’s worth noting that each Mountain on its own, in the time we have allocated would require a good walking pace and decent level of fitness. The fact and more importantly that we will be doing 3 in 17 hours will require the ability to recover quickly and show good stamina to repeat.
If you are starting from a point where you have not done any physical exercise for a long time. We would expect you to train accordingly for the event, by performing quickly paced hikes, up hills/mountains/coast path to get use to the undulating ground you will face and the strain it puts on the body.
As with any training it is important to start off as early as possible with your training and build up slowly and steadily to the required fitness. In reality the fitness training requires you to get out into the great outdoors and walk. It will improve your fitness, health and give you the experience of exploring new places – so all good.
This challenge is achievable for all, it does not require super fitness levels, but it does require a strong mind and the will power to go again and again and to keep going up when the peaks get steep! It really is all in the mind. (And a little bit in the legs!!!!)
THINGS TO CONSIDER
February v June
An interesting fact, February is the driest yet coldest month on average in Wales. Whilst June is also traditionally warm, with long daylight hours. What does this mean for the Welsh 3 Peaks. First things first, you can never second guess the weather in the mountains no matter what the season is. June 2020, we had serious rain in PYF, a heat wave in Cader Idris and cold and dark on the descent from Snowdon.
However, it is definitely worth noting that there is a very good chance February will be tougher. There will be less daylight hours, so temperatures will drop, and movement will be slower. However, hiking the mountains in the dark is special and something you will not forget.
It is all about being prepared and a full kit list will be sent out to those who are registered.
Snowdon
Height – 1085m
Miles to be Covered – 7.5miles
Path to be taken – (The path may vary depending on weather and other such factors)
We will Start just off the A4086 and make our way up the Miners Track. This is an ideal way to either start the day or last peak as the first 2 miles are a gentle incline, great to loosen the legs early in the morning of after all the travelling and previous peaks. The miners track also has some great views. Miles 3 and 4 also have wonderful views but are rather steep! Once we reach the Summit, we will descend via the Llanberis Path a well-trodden and marked out route to return us to the minibus.
The Mountain
Snowdon comes from the old English name “Snow Hill” (I have seen snow on the peak in June) It is the highest Mountain in Wales and England. However, it has many (approx 8) well defined paths to the summit all of varying degrees of difficult, these traits all make it the most climbed mountain in the UK as well as being Wales’s 3rd most visited tourist attraction and that is another reason.
As with all our routes, if the weather dictates, we may change them at the last moment.
Starting or Finishing on Snowdon
Allows us to beat the crowds – especially in June
It also allows the logistics to flow better, with less time spent on the bus.
Cader Idris
Height – 893m
Miles to be Covered – 6 miles
Path to be taken – (The path may vary depending on weather and other such factors)
We will park up on at the Cader Idris car park just off the A487 and make our way up the Minffordd Path, we will also descend via this route. The Minffordd Path is described as a hard strenuous walk, and I would not disagree with that. With the first 1.5 miles being a slog. But saying that it really is a great location and great views and sense of being in the wilds. Definitely one of my favourite walks in Wales or anywhere.
The Mountain
Cader Idris is situated on the southern end of the Snowdonia National Park near to the historic town of Dolgellau. It is the 9th highest peak in Wales and the highest in Mid Wales. Like all of the 3 peaks the location is steeped in ancient Welsh history and mythology and when you are in the midst of Cader Idris you can see and feel why. It is our humble opinion that this is the toughest of the 3 climbs and the most remote. Although guidebooks say it gets very busy, it is less busy than the others and this could be that it is a harder walk than the others!
Cader Idris
Height – 886m
Miles to be Covered – 4.2miles
Path to be taken – (The path may vary depending on weather and other such factors)
We will park up opposite the Story Arms Outdoor Centre on the A470. From here will head up from the iconic red telephone box. And head straight up (with a slight downhill blip) till we get to the first peak “Corn Du” once we reach this point it’s a slight decline and incline before reaching the summit. We will then return via the same. Although this might be the lesser of the 3 peaks, it’s a great part of the challenge and the incline from the Storey arms is as tough as any section throughout the day.
The Mountain
Pen y Fan has become infamous with the British Army, particularly the Special Forces who use this climb to the summit (and a bit more!!!) as part of their selection process known as the “fan dance”. It is also the highest Peak in the UK, south of Cader Idris and offers great views across the South Wales Valleys.
Like all of the Routes on the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge the Mountains can be an unforgiven place and its quite common to have 3 or 4 seasons in one climb. But it’s certainly an experience that will stay with you for some time.
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