A guide on how to hike The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge in 24 Hours.
The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge isn't as well known as the National or the Yorkshire challenges, but is still challenging, even for those that hike regularly.
I've put together this guide on my experience including training, preparation and things we learnt during for the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge.
The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge involves hiking 17 miles (27.4km) and an ascent of 2,334 metres (7657ft), usually within the space of 24 hours.
The mountains you hike:
1. Pen-Y-Fan (in south Wales)
2. Cadair Idris (in mid-Wales)
3. Snowdon (in north Wales)
How to do the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge
If you want to take part in the challenge you can join an organised group trip or organise it yourself.
As a group of 8, we decided to go organise it ourselves, so we could go at our own pace.
Organising the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge yourself
Hiking the three peaks in 24 hours is very physically demanding and when you go to do the challenge, you will want everything planned carefully to ensure you can focus purely on the challenge itself, rather than logistics. Here are a list of things to think about BEFORE you go to Wales.
1. Decide when you are doing the challenge
Pick a time when you are going to do the challenge. We chose to do our challenge in September for a number of reasons:
The weather - September is perfect hiking weather, it's not too hot and it's not too cold
Visibility - we wanted to enjoy the stunning views and knew Sept would more likely better
Avoiding school holidays - we didn't want to have to deal with the peaks being too busy with families, the roads would be clearer for travel and accommodation would have more availability
2. Write out a plan for each day and include:
How long each hike will take you (and allow extra time)
How long the travel is to and between each peak - they aren't that close together
When and where you will be eating - there aren't that many restaurants and supermarkets near each of the peaks, so you may need to work out places en-route as well as buying food and snacks in advance to take with you
When and where you will be resting - book accommodation in advance
What time the sun sets - You do not want to be hiking in the dark! Even with head torches these peaks are challenging and the bits we did in the dark where the hardest
3. Training
Do as much training before as you can:
Make sure you train on an incline - a hill, a mountain, steps, the stepper at the gym. You can go walking as much as you want, but it's the incline that people find the hardest and which you really need to train for
Do long walks that are plus 5 hours. During the challenge you will be walking for much longer (and mostly uphill), so you need to build stamina, know what you're going to do about going to the toilet, if you're doing it with people get used to what each person is like in that situation etc.
Train in the gear you will be doing the challenge in - wear in your hiking boots, get used to your rucksack, know that the shorts you're wearing won't be rubbing, try different snacks (I tried energy gels on a practice hike and they made me feel bad... very glad I realised before doing the actual thing!)
Test out the map - we used All Trails for each our hikes and we practised using it beforehand so we knew how it worked and that it could be trusted - BEST APP EVER!
Welsh Three Peaks Challenge Pack List
Here is a pack list of everything you need to do the challenge:
Hiking boots - we did see some people doing the hikes in trainers, but doing all three your ankles need support and some of the routes can be slippery, so you need grip
Head torches - even if you have no plan to be hiking in the dark, get a head torch. One of the peaks took us way longer than expected and we didn't manage to get back before dark, it could have been seriously dangerous if we had had no torches with us
Rucksack - you will need your hands available at all times so you don't want to be carrying anything
Waterproof jacket - the weather is very unpredictable in Wales (especially up a mountain), make sure you carry this with you even if the forecast looks good
Layers - it may seem warm when you set off, but trust me the top of the peaks have a completely different climate and it gets COLD up there
Water - take more water than you think you need as you can't get more once you start
Snacks - protein bars are good to keep you going as well as bananas and even crisps
The Three Peaks
We decided to do our peaks in the following order:
First - Pen Y Fan - this was the closest peak to London and we didn't want to be driving too far before starting
Second - Cadair Idris - this one is on the way to Snowdon
Third - Snowdon - we wanted this to be the peak we finished on and to do this one at sunrise
1. PEN Y FAN
Route: Pen Y Fan Corn Du and Cwm Llwch Circular Route (on All Trails app)
Time to Hike (round trip): approx. 4 hours
Car Park: Cwm Gwdi Car Park
The smallest of the three peaks (but the tallest peak in South Wales), the hike to the top of Pen Y Fan takes you through breathtaking landscapes of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Pen Y Fan stands at 886 meters (2,907 feet) and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and rolling hills. The diverse terrain includes rocky paths, grassy slopes, and occasional steep sections. This peak is a great one to start on as it isn't too challenging.
We found this a pleasant hike that started quite hard but had a lot of flat areas and the descent was pretty easy. The views are stunning and you are walking amongst the clouds.
2. CADAIR IDRIS
Route: Cadair Idris, Craig Lwyd and Tal-y-Llyn Circular Route (on All Trails app)
Time to Hike (round trip): approx. 6 hours
Car Park: Dol Idris Car Park
Climbing Cadair Idris offers hikers views of one of Snowdonia's most iconic mountain landscapes. Standing at 893 meters (2,930 feet), Cadair Idris offers diverse terrain and stunning views of the Welsh countryside, from lush valleys to craggy ridges, making the journey as visually rewarding as it is physically engaging. As you ascend, the landscape unfolds, revealing panoramic vistas of the Mawddach Estuary, Barmouth, and the expansive Snowdonia mountain range. Reaching the summit, Penygadair, grants you awe-inspiring 360-degree views, making the effort worthwhile.
Cadair Idris is fairly tough and I personally found it the hardest of the three peaks. We were already tired from doing Pen Y Fan a few hours before and Cadair Idris is a long old hike to the top. Coming down was extremely tough as there wasn't a clear path and we found ourselves descending on a lot of loose rocks which was physically and mentally challenging, constantly having to think about where you next step. It took us longer than expected and we ended up having about an hour in the dark, which is why it's always important to carry your head torch with you.
3. SNOWDON
Route: Snowdon via Miner's Track and Pyg Circular (on All Trails app)
Time to Hike (round trip): approx. 6 hours
Car Park: Pen Y Pass Car Park (you need to book your car parking space in advance)
Mount Snowdon, stands proudly as the highest peak in Wales at 1,085 meters (3,560 feet), offers an unforgettable hiking experience in Snowdonia National Park. The journey is adorned with breathtaking scenery, from cascading waterfalls to glacial lakes.
We wanted to try and get to the top of Snowdon for sunrise and our plan was to do the Miner's Track and Pyg Circular. The reason we chose this route is because in relation to where we were staying, the starting point was closest. We did a lot of research and discovered that the Miner's Track was the easiest to do in the dark (pretty much a steep path), it then took a steep incline (when it was light) to the summit.
When we arrived in the car park (which you NEED to book in advance), it was quite dark and I took us through the gate that mentioned the Pyg Track. This was the wrong one and we ended up doing the steepest part of the mountain in the pitch black with just our head torches. It was an amazing experience looking back, but at the time it was terrifying and a lot of the hike up is scrambling and pulling yourself up rocks in the pitch black. We ended up doing the Miner's Track on the way back which takes a LONG time as it's pretty much flat and we just wanted to be done. The summit is absolutely freezing (because it's so high up), so it is really important to bring warm clothes with you for this bit.
Where to Stay During the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge
Accommodation near Pen Y Fan
YHA Brecon Beacons
Libanus, Brecon LD3 8NH
Cost: £25 each (£100 for a camping pod that sleeps x4 people)
Location: 15 min drive to start Pen Y Fan
We loved staying at this hostel in the Brecon Beacons. The surroundings are beautiful and they have lots of sleeping options include shared dorms, camping pods (which we did) as well as sleeping pods.
Accommodation near Snowdon
Lledr House Hostel
Pont-y-pant, Dolwyddelan LL25 0DQ
Cost: £21 each (£165 for a private room for x8 people)
Location: 25 min drive to start Snowdon
A very good, affordable option near Snowdon. We ended up arriving very late and only slept for a couple of hours but it was comfortable and clean. There is also a kitchen to cook your own food if you want.
Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia
Conway Rd, Dolgarrog, Conwy LL32 8QE
Cost: £65 each (£130 for a king room for x2 people)
Location: 30 min from Snowdon
We stayed here after we had finished as a treat. They have the Wave Spa which you can get a pass for £25 and use the spa facilities as well as booking treatments. The hotel also has a really nice restaurant, big spacious rooms and a bar.
Our Itinerary for the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge
Our aim was to get to the top of Mount Snowdon within 24 hours of starting the challenge. Here was our schedule and plan:
Day 1 - Travel and prep day
10:00 - leave London and head to Wales
Supermarket shop for food and snacks
19:00 - dinner at hostel (YHA Brecon Beacons)
Day 2 - First two peaks - Pen Y Fan and Cadair Idris
06:30 - wake up and breakfast
06:45 - leave hostel
07:00 - arrive at Pen Y Fan and start first hike
11:00 - finish first peak (Pen Y Fan)
12:00 - grab lunch at service station en-route to second peak (Cadair Idris) - we stopped at Texaco, 95 Station Road, Builth Wells LD2 3SS (petrol station with a Co-Op and Greggs)
14:30 - arrive at Cadair Idris and start second hike
18:30 - finish second peak (Cadair Idris)
19:30 - go to hostel (Lledr House)
21:00 - bedtime
Day 2 - Third peak - Mount Snowdon
02:00 - wake up and leave hostel
03:00 - start hike of Mount Snowdon
09:00 - finish third peak (Mount Snowdon)
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