WELSH 3000s CHALLENGE - ULTIMATE GUIDE

The Welsh 3000s challenge is a classic hiking route in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. It covers 15 mountain summits, each over 3000ft (914m). It can either be done in a single push within 24hrs, over a long weekend or split over multiple weekends.

I recently had the pleasure of guiding a client to complete the Welsh 3000’s challenge. The challenge was split over three weekends, the reason for doing this is it provided a gradual increase in difficulty and technicality. From a guides perspective it allowed me to assess the clients experience and fitness, as we progressed to more technical, harder terrain. Also ending with Crib Goch and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) means for a much more exciting finish to the challenge.

It makes more sense in reverse for the single push or within 24hrs, finishing with the final 3000s summit Foel Fras, the benefit of tackling the harder/steeper terrain first, leaving the long walk across the Carneddau to the finish.

View of Carneddau from Carnedd y Ddelw

1. Foel-fras - 3090ft/942m

The trig point on the summit can either be the start to your journey or the end.

2. Carnedd Gwenllian/Carnedd Uchaf - 3038ft/926m

Carnedd Uchaf means 'highest cairn'. Although the peak was renamed in 2009 to Carnedd Gwenllian, in honour of Wales’s ‘lost princess’. Gwenllian was the daughter of Llywelyn, the last prince of Wales. Born in 1282, the year her father was killed, she was snatched from her home and held at the abbey at Sempringham, Lincolnshire, living the rest of her life there as a nun and dying at the age of 54.

3. Foel Grach - 3202ft/976m

On a clear day there are amazing views from Foel Grach, the Isle of Man and even the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland can be seen from the summit. An emergency refuge was built just below the summit, by the Clwb Mynydda Gogledd Cymru (Mountaineering Club of North Wales) in 1964, it can offer a temporary shelter in difficult conditions.

4. Carnedd Llywelyn - 3490ft/1064m

The second highest mountain in Wales at 1064m in height. Named after Llywelyn the prince of Wales. Although it is unknown which welsh prince, either the 'Llywelyn the Great' and his son and successor Dafydd Ap Llywelyn, the first Prince of Wales. Or, it could be the last princes of Wales who succeeded him and were also called Llywelyn and Dafydd.

5. Yr Elen - 3156ft/962m

Feels like an inconvenience descending across to Yr Elen only to return, but a necessary diversion to complete the Welsh 3000’s and there are some great views from this summit. It is believed Yr Elen was named after Eleanor de Monfort, the consort of Llywelyn Ap Gruffudd.

6. Carnedd Dafydd - 3425ft/1044m

Carnedd Dafydd is the third highest peak in Wales and the second highest in the Carneddau massif. On a good, clear day the views are spectacular, with Eryri (Snowdon), the Isle of Anglesey and the Glyderau. The name translates as Dafydd's (or David's) cairn, like that of Carnedd Llewelyn (Llywelyn's cairn).

7. Pen yr Ole Wen - 3208ft/978m

The end of the Carneddau mountains, Pen yr Ole Wen provides the most spectacular view of my favourite mountain in Eryri national park, Tryfan stands tall, providing a good view of the challenge ahead. The famous Pinnacle ridge scramble sits below this summit and it's a steep descent down Ogwen cottage if you do choose this route. Alternatively head west and descend towards Tal y Llyn Ogwen

8. Tryfan - 3011ft/918m

Tryfan looks spectacular and with so many scrambling routes to choose from this is my favourite mountain in Eryri. The North Ridge looks dramatic from the bottom but can be done as a Grade 1 scramble, although do not underestimate the terrain. I have seen a number of accidents, the mountain is made treacherous in high winds and rain. In winter above 600 metres the weather can turn, the mountain can be challenging for even the most experienced climbers, its easy stray off the main route, especially in difficult weather conditions.

View of Tryfan and Llyn Idwal

9. Glyder Fach - 3261ft/994m

Ankle breaker territory, Glyder is Welsh for heap of stones and after traversing the Glyder’s you will understand, why it was given this name. This part of the Welsh 3000s slows your journey quite dramatically, but is a spectacular part of the challenge, you will pass through what is called Castell y Gwynt which are a collection of tall sky scraper type rocks which is near the summit, also don’t forget to take a photo on the Cantilever Stone a natural phenomenon.

10. Glyder Fawr - 3284ft/1001m

Glyder fawr is the bigger of two peaks, at 1,001m it is the highest mountain in the Glyderau and the fifth highest in Snowdonia.

11. Y Garn - 3106ft/947m

After the glyders, Y Garn is a welcome break from finding your footing. In windy weather weather a large open wind break shelter near the summit offers a resting place and perhaps a good opportunity for some food.

12. Elidir Fawr - 3031ft/924m

Elidir Fawr overlooks the Dinorwic quarry, and under your feet, deep inside Elidir Fawr is the Dinorwig Power Station, built in 1974 within the tunnels and caverns, it was built inside the mountain in an effort to preserve the natural beauty of Snowdonia National Park. At that time it was the largest civil engineering contract ever awarded by the UK government costing £425 million and taking 10 years to complete.

13. Crib Goch - 3028ft/923m

Another favourite, due to it's knife edge rocky ridgeline, this Grade 1 scramble can be deceiving, high winds and low cloud can make this traverse treacherous, so take care and if in doubt hire a guide for the day. A guide will help navigate the difficult sections of the ridgeline and provide a confidence boost if necessary.

14. Garnedd Ugain - 3494ft/1065m

Not very exciting although great views across the horseshoe, this peak can feel like a trig point, on the way to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).

15. Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) - 3559ft/1085m

The highest peak in Wales and what a way to complete the challenge.

Welsh 3000s Route Maps

Welsh 3000s Challenge - 24hr route map

Summits 1 to 7 - Foel Fras, Carnedd Gwenllian, Foel Grach, Carnedd Llywelyn, Yr Elen, Carnedd Dafydd and Pen yr Ole Wen

Summits 7 to 12 - Tryfan, Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr, Yr Garn and Elidir Fawr

Summits 12 to 15 - Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain and Yr Wyddfa

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