top of page

The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge in 24 Hours

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.



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.



Mount Snowdon
Mount Snowdon



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



Mount Snowdon sunrise
Mount Snowdon 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


Pen Y Fan


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.



Pen Y Fan


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



Cadair Idris


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


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.



Cadair Idris





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


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.



Mount Snowdon sunrise


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.



YHA Brecon Beacons




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.



Lledr House Hostel


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.



Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia Wave Spa





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)



Mount Snowdon
Mount Snowdon

30 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page