Snowdonia’s spectacular hiking challenge — Welsh 3000s

Wales is unique in that its highest peaks are all clustered in one spectacular region, Northern Snowdonia. Spread across three contrasting mountain ranges, 15 summits above 3,000 feet (914 m) offer an enticing challenge for active hikers.

On the Welsh 3000s, you hike between all 15 peaks in one demanding, epic trip. There are many unforgettable moments: the Snowdon range allows you to stand on the roof of Wales, while the traverse of knife-edged Crib Goch is undoubtedly thrilling; the Glyderau offer sensational hiking, as well as hugely enjoyable scrambling on Glyder Fach and Tryfan; while the vast Carneddau are more remote, serene and a delight to traverse.

With uncompromising mountain terrain throughout, at least 30 miles (48 km) to cover and over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) of elevation gain to contend with, this is an undertaking that requires commitment, particularly if you plan to bite it off in one go. A good level of fitness and experience in the hills is required. You’ll need supportive hiking shoes or boots, as well as warm and waterproof layers. It’s also essential to carry plenty of water and food, with enough to spare should anything go wrong.

There are loads of ways to complete the Welsh 3000s. The only prerequisite is bagging each summit, so there are many route permutations. I’ve hiked many of these mountains time and time again; the likes of Tryfan, Crib Goch, Glyder Fach and Snowdon have become familiar favourites. However, I’ve only ever pieced all the Welsh 3000s together once and not in the usual way. Instead, I completed an unorthodox loop – starting and finishing my 21-hour adventure in Nant Peris, which made the day longer and more challenging but very rewarding too. Creating your own 3000s adventure is all part of the fun.

In this Collection, I’ve split the 3000s into three stages, one for each range. It’s designed so that if you wanted to complete the challenge over the course of a long weekend, you can. It starts at Pen-y-Pass and finishes at the car park at Bwlch y Ddeufaen, the most popular endpoint for those leaving a car. There are accommodation options at the end of the first stage in Nant Peris (or alternatively a little further on in Llanberis) and at YHA Idwal Cottage at the end of the second stage.

Of course, you can choose to push yourself to complete the whole thing in a day, or simply use this route as inspiration and tinker with it to make your own. Many even choose a north to south approach, finishing on the Snowdon massif.

You’ll also need to consider transport. A popular approach is to use two cars, leaving one as close to the end point as possible. To be more environmentally friendly, you could also create your own loop, thus starting and finishing in the same place. Another option is using the Snowdon Sherpa bus service by hiking to Bethesda from the traditional final summit, Foel-fras. However, these options are longer and more challenging.

Snowdonia can easily be reached by public transport. Bangor train station is on the North Wales Coast Line and from the city you can use bus services to access Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis, Bethesda and Idwal Cottage. For more information on the Snowdon Sherpa buses, see: gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Parking-roads-and-travel/Travel-passes/Snowdon-Sherpa.aspx