The Welsh 3000s challenge | A complete guide to Wales’ toughest day hike
The Welsh 3000s is possibly the most challenging and iconic day hike in Wales.
I have attempted the challenge three times, failing on my first attempt before succesfully completing it twice.
In 2021, I tackled it with a group of three others and called it a day on the roadside in the Ogwen Valley.
in 2022, I completed it solo in 14 hours 42 minutes whilst vlogging the entirety of it.
In 2023, I tackled it from north to south (Starting on Foel Fras and finishing on Snowdon) with a group of 2 others in 10 hours 54 minutes.
Calling upon my three attempts at the challenge and over a decade of experience hiking in Snowdonia, I have created this detailed guide on the Welsh 3000s, outlining what the challenge is, how to prepare for it, and the best way to complete it.
I also have included everything from images, maps, GPS co-ordinates, and GPX routes.
If there’s anything that isn’t included on this blog, then feel free to drop me an email or a DM on Instagram.
Good luck and happy hiking.
What is the Welsh 3000s?
The Welsh 3000s are the 15 mountains in Wales that have a height of 3000 feet or more.
All of the peaks are situated in Snowdonia National park and are spread across three mountain ranges: The Snowdon Massif, The Glyderau, and The Carneddau.
The Snowdon Massif
1. Crib Goch, 3028ft
2. Garnedd Ugain, 3494ft
3. Snowdon, 3559ft
The Glyderau
4. Elidir Fawr, 3031ft
5. Y Garn, 3106ft
6. Glyder Fawr, 3284ft
7. Glyder Fach, 3261ft
8. Tryfan, 3011ft
The Carneddau
9. Pen yr Ole Wen, 3208ft
10. Carnedd Dafydd, 3425ft
11. Carnedd Llewelyn, 3490ft
12. Yr Elen, 3156ft
13. Foel Grach, 3202ft
14. Garnedd Gwenllian, 3038ft
15. Foel-Fras, 3090ft
What is the Welsh 3000s challenge?
The challenge is to summit all 15 peaks within 24 hours. The 24-hour time limit starts when you reach your first peak and stops as soon as you reach the last.
From the first peak to the last the challenge is around 38-42km in length and involves 3,100m of elevation gain.
However when you factor in the hike up to the first peak and the descent down from the last peak, the challenge is over 50km in length and involves nearly 3,800m of elevation gain.
How difficult is the Welsh 3000s?
In a short answer it is extremely difficult.
The hike is over 50km in length and involves nearly 4,000m of elevation gain.
Although you don’t need to be a fell runner, you should be a very fit and experienced mountain walker.
At a bare minimum you should have
A very good base of aerobic fitness
Plenty of experience of hiking in the mountains for long periods (6-8+ hours)
Experience tackling grade one scrambles
A good level of navigational skills.
You should have also previously hiked all three mountain ranges involved in the challenge (Snowdon, Glyderau, and the Carneddau).
This way you will not only understand the physical demands of the challenge but also have prior experience and knowledge of the route.
The distance from Crib Goch to Foel Fras in KM
When to tackle the Welsh 3000s?
There is no perfect time of year to take on the challenge as the weather will play a pivotal role in determining if you complete it, the time it takes, and what type of experience you have.
Depending on your fitness levels and the type of experience you would like to have, I would recommend taking on this challenge between the start of April and the end of September.
In theory the ideal date to tackle the Welsh 3000s would be around the summer Solstice (21st June).
As this is the longest day of the year you will have around 17 hours of daylight to hike in. In addition, the temperature shouldn’t be too hot as it won’t be the height of the Welsh summer.
The best advice I can give is to be flexible with your dates.
Taking on this challenge in the wrong conditions will not only be a drain on both energy and morale, but potentially dangerous.
The perfect conditions would be a dry overcast day, with great visibility, and a small amount of wind.
However being Wales and given the unpredictability of the mountains, this is extremely unlikely.
You will probably have to compromise on one of the above, but make sure that isn’t visibility.
Unless you’re a sadist, no one enjoys hiking 50km and not being able to see a thing.
Part of what makes this challenge so special is the landscape and views in encompasses.
Being able to soak in the glorious mountain views not only distracts you from the discomfort of the challenge, but makes the entire experience more enjoyable and memorable.
If you’re worried about hiking in the dark, I would recommend taking on the challenge when there is a full moon. This way if you do end up hiking after the sun sets you have some form of additional light to help illuminate the route.
What is the Welsh 3000s route?
There are three ways in which you can tackle the Welsh 3,000 Challenge which I have briefly outlined below.
If you wish to try and break the official record of 4 hours 10 minutes and 48 seconds set by Finlay Wild in 2019, then you must start the challenge on the summit of Snowdon and finish on Foel Fras.
For a full description of the route which begins on Crib Goch and finishes on Foel Fras (This is the route I took for my successful solo attempt in 2022) check out my separate blog post below.
1. Start on Snowdon and finish on Foel-Fras (South to North)
This is usually chosen by those who wish to camp/bivvy on the summit of Snowdon.
You would hike up to the summit of Snowdon the night before and start your challenge as soon as you wake up, dropping off your camping gear when you reach the roadside at Nant peris.
Pros of this route include; being breaking up the route so it is slightly less demanding on the day, and potentially not having to tackle Crib Goch in the dark.
The cons include having to carry your camping gear and extra food up and down Snowdon, alongside probably not getting a good night’s sleep. Although you probably won’t get a good one anyway.
A link to the route on OS maps can be found here.
Crib Goch
2. Start on Crib Goch and finish on Foel-Fras (South to North)
This is the shortest route of the three and the one which I took for my successful solo attempt in 2022.
Although it is easier and shorter than starting on Snowdon, it may mean you may have to ascend and navigate Crib Goch in the dark.
This ridge is no joke so please consider your own ability and weather conditions before attempting this route.
A link to the route on OS maps can be found here.
While a detailed guide and overview on the route can be found here.
3. Start at Foel-Fras and finish on Snowdon (North to south)
I took this route for my successful attempt in 2023.
I initially thought is was going to be easier than the usual south to north route because the the climbs would be slightly less demanding in this direction.
However I was definitely wrong.
Climbing Snowdon after over 35km and nearly 3000ft of walking in your legs nearly broke me. I was in a dark dark hole which I nearly didn’t escape from.
The pros of this route are:
You can run/speed hike the Carneddau while you a fresh. This is delightful and will make you feel that you are making great time.
You get to finish on Snowdon, which has the best view of all the peaks
When you finish, you will be far closer to civilisation - You have the option of descending down to Llanberis or the Pen-y-Pass. Both of these are not only have served by public transport but also have accommodation nearby.
The cons of this route are:
You have to climb up to Crib Goch last - this is a horrifically steep, scree filled ascent which makes climbing up to Elidir Fawr feel like a walk in the park.
You have to navigate Crib Goch when you are very fatigued and potentially in the dark.
You have to descend Snowdon once you have finished - Descending the Llanberis path with severely blistered feet is the worst mountain experience of my life
You have to drive back to the arse end of nowhere to pick up your car - not ideal if you are tired and just want something to eat.
A link to the route on OS maps can be found here.
This route descend down the Llanberis path which is the least technical and easiest route down
Crib Goch
Where does the Welsh 3000s start?
If you are tackling the route from south to North (recommended), the start point will be the Pen-y-Pass car park.
This car park is pre-booking only during the busier summer months (£25 a day) and gets booked up extremely quickly.
Outside of the summer months the Pen-y-Pass is operated a first come first served basis, costing £10 for 24 hours.
If you cant secure a space at the Pen-y-Pass then the next closest place to park is in the official lay-bys just past to the Pen Y Gwryd Hotel.
This costs £4 for all day parking and will add an extra 1.8km and 90m of elevation gain to your walk.
From here the walk up to the Pen-y-Pass should take around 20 minutes if you follow the road.
Where does the Welsh 3000s Finish
If you are tackling the route from south to north, you will finish the Welsh 3,000s challenge on the summit of Foel Fras.
From this summit you have the option to descend down to two separate car parks which are located on opposite sides of Foel Fras.
Of the two I would recommend finishing at the car park above Aber Falls.
This is because the route back is very easy to navigate and it is also closer to both the Pen-y-Pass and a McDonalds.
How to reach the car park above Aber Falls from Foel Fras?
From Foel Fras head north for one mile, making the descent down to the saddle beneath Y Drum.
Once at the saddle, Llyn Anafon should be located down in the valley below you to your east (left hand side).
From the saddle simply make a B-line down to the lake.
the decline is very gentle, and the grass is extremely spongy so I literally just legged it down, falling over several times.
Once at the lake there is a wide bridleway which will slowly descend for 3.8km back down to the car park above Aber Falls.
By having a bridleway to follow it means you can switch off mentally and just plod on back to your car.
Also if you are being picked up, it gives that person the option to hike up and meet you at the lake. My partner did this when she supported me.
A word of warning the car park here extremely small and only has room for around 8 cars, so either drop it off the night before or get there super early.
Alternatively you can park at Bwlch y Ddeufaen .
I don’t have any experience of this route although it’s slightly shorter than the one to Aber falls,
The route from Foel Fras down to the car park above Aber Falls.
The logistics of the Welsh 3000s
Because of the length and one-way nature of the route, there are serval logistical issues you need to consider before you start the challenge.
Where are you going to park?
How are you going to get back to the start point?
Are you going to carry all your food or are you going to re-supply?
The two main options I would consider are:
1. Have a support car
They can drop you off at the Pen-y-Pass and can pick you up from the finish point.
They can also meet you at the two road crossings in Nant Peris and the Ogwen Valley to top up your supplies alongside providing moral support.
Having a support car also means you can change your clothes and carry a lighter pack as you will be able to drop off and pick up gear between the three mountain ranges.
This is the easiest and most practical option which requires the help of a dedicated individual.
2. Take two cars
Park one at the car park at the finish above Aber falls and park one at the Pen-y-Pass.
This option not only requires more planning, the Pen-y-Pass is pre booking only in the summer months and the Aber Falls car park is very small, but also involves driving after completing the challenge which can be dangerous.
If taking two cars I would recommend dropping off a car the night before to preserve some sleep.
I would also stash drop some food and supplies at both check points in Nant Peris (near the Vaynol Arms) and at the eastern end of Llyn Ogwen on the side of the A5.
This will mean you have a lighter pack which will save your energy in the long run.
The view From Carnedd Daffydd
Completing the challenge with a single car
You could complete this challenge with one car, but it would make things extremely difficult.
You would either have to pre-book some form of accommodation or a taxi, or coincidentally finish your challenge at the same time as someone else and hope they are generous enough to give you a lift.
If you are going for the single car option, I would tackle the route from North to south.
The car park above Aber falls is a significant distance from civilisation and signal is very poor, so trying to get back from here would be a recipe for disaster.
By finishing on Snowdon you have the option to hike down to Llanberis where there is signal, food, and accommodation.
Alternatively you can hike down the Pyg or the Ranger track to the Pen-y-pass where you will find toilets and a YHA hostel, so if you didn’t have signal you can use their phone to call a taxi.
Tryfan and the Ogwen valley
Are there places to re-supply on route?
The route is made up of three mountain ranges which are separated by two roads.
Both roads have places nearby which you can refill your water at.
However there are no places of note to purchase food, so you will have to rely on support or stash drop supplies.
1. The A4086 separating Snowdon from the Glyderau
This road passes through Nant Peris, which is the start point for the ascent up to Elidir Fawr.
If you have a support car, I recommend that they meet you at the car park behind the Vaynol Arms as you will pass this pub regardless of the route.
If not, I would recommend stashing food and supplies in one of the fields behind the pub in order to get you through to the Ogwen Valley.
You can refill your water at the roadside as there is tap built into the wall opposite the Llanberis mountain rescue centre.
2. The A5 in the Ogwen valley
This separates the Glyderau from the Carneddau. The route will take you will past a small cottage ((W3W: ///picture.upset.robes) at the eastern end of Llyn Ogwen.
If you have a support car, I recommend they meet you on the roadside parking close to the cottage
If you look up Mountain odyssey mountaineering on google maps, it will be is a good indicator of where to park.
Just note that the valley can get extremely busy, especially on weekends, so you may have trouble finding a space.
If you don’t have a support car, I would recommend stashing both food and water around the cottage to get you through to the finish point.
If you did want to refill your water or use the toilet, there are facilities available at Gwern Gof Uchaf campsite.
Unless you plan on descending or ascending Tryfan’s north face, which I would not recommended, this will add an extra kilometre to your route.
What gear to wear and bring?
This will depend on the time of year and the weather in which you are taking on the challenge.
The key theme is that your gear is lightweight, comfortable, functional, and has been tried and tested in the mountains.
Stick with gear you have used before and certainly don’t go breaking in new boots on this walk.
I would recommend you wear and pack the following:
A comfortable pair of hiking boots or trail shoes
You will be tackling all types of terrain from steep rocky scrambles, wide grassy ascent, loose scree, and marshy bog so having the appropriate footwear is a must.
As you will be walking for 50km comfort is key – I’d recommend a pair of mid ankle boots which will offer protection, grip, and stability and help prevent any loose scree and bog getting into your shoes.
I wore Nike Pegasus 3 Gore-tex trail shoes for the Snowdon range as there is no scree to tackle.
I then switched to my Inov8 roclight 345 GTX at Nant Peris for the remainder of the challenge.
A quality waterproof jacket
The weather in the mountains is fickle and can change in an instant, so making sure you stay warm and dry is essential.
Even if its not forecast to rain, a waterproof jacket will offer extra warmth and protection from the wind.
As well as being waterproof, the jacket should ideally be lightweight, functional and breathable.
I wore a Föhn Polartec Waterproof Jacket, which is comfortable, functional, and lightweight. Its also a bright orange colour so I can easily be spotted if something goes wrong.
A functional hiking backpack
It should have padded shoulders alongside chest and waist straps to help disperse the weight.
Comfort and weight again are key here as you will have this back on your back for 50km.
Ideally you want a smaller day pack (between 15-25 Litres) that will provide enough room for clothes, food, water and accessories.
I used the Osprey talon 22 litre daypack.
Alongside chest and waist straps, it has a compartment to house a water bladder, a vented back plate, and pockets on the waist straps.
A head torch and a backup torch
Chances are you are going to be starting and finishing your hike in the dark, so a head torch is essential.
Make sure you head torch is fully charged or has new batteries, and always bring a spare set of batteries or a power bank just incase.
I also brought a high-powered rechargeable bike light as a back up, just incase my head torch failed.
A paper map and reliable offline map of the route
There’s nothing wrong with using your phone for navigation.
Just make sure you are using a proper hiking app ( not google maps), have the route plotted and saved for offline use, and don’t become reliant on it.
I planned my route using OS Maps premium service, which I would recommend as they are the official map provider of the UK.
I then downloaded the route to my phone for offline use so I could use it in aeroplane mode to conserve battery.
I also took a physical OS map of Snowdonia as an emergency backup.
Beanie and lightweight gloves – As I knew I would be hiking before sunrise and after sunset I put these in just in case the temperature dropped got cold. I didn’t end up using them, but they weigh very little and were there in case of an emergency.
lightweight, warm, mid layer – I carried this the Föhn Polartec Grid Fleece, it packs down super small and weighs very little. I didn’t end up wearing it, but it was in my backpack just incase.
A power bank and charging cable - Essential if you are using your phone to navigate. I have 25,000MAh one which has solar panels on it. Its not much bigger than a smart phone and weighs very little.
A hat and sun cream - Protects you from the sun. I have a lightweight mesh cap from Columbia which is machine washable.
Good socks - Ones that are breathable and dont cause blisters - Do not wear grip socks as I did on my 2023 attempt, as your feet will end up completely f*cked
Other things to consider
First aid kit – I took blister plasters and painkillers but also consider an emergency blanket
Camera - if you have good visibility then the views are worth capturing
Toilet paper & hand sanitiser – When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. Just make sure it’s a appropriate place, away from water, and you don’t leave your toilet paper on the mountain.
Waterproof over trousers – A great lightweight option to protect your legs from the elements.
Lightweight hiking poles – Helps with both the ascents and descents.
Compression socks - Helps with circulation and hides my calves.
A change of clothes – A nice morale boost. I changed my shoes, socks, and shorts at Nant peris as they were very wet. I then swapped my top at the Ogwen valley as it stank.
How to fuel for the Welsh 3000s?
I joke that the Welsh 3000s is two challenges, a hiking one and an eating one.
The truth is hydration and nutrition is integral to completing this challenge and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Without sounding like a budget David Goggins, your body is capable of much more than you imagine.
If you fuel it properly and have the mental resilience to carry on going when things are tough, you will be amazed what it is capable of.
What and how much water to drink?
How much will depend on:
The weather
Your physiology (I’m a sweaty hiker so I need more fluid than normal),
Your fitness levels and how long you expect to spend on each mountain,
How much you drink before you start.
You’re going to sweat and loose plenty of salts while doing so.
For that reason I recommend you use some form of electrolytes/ salt supplement to replenish what you’ve lost and prevent overhydration and cramp.
I’d recommend using precision hydration electrolyte tablets which you can just drop into a bottle of water and are easy to carry.
Also consider using a isotonic sports drink or carb powder to help stay hydrated and take on extra calories and energy.
On my first attempt I stashed Lucozade sport, and on the second I used High 5 carb powder which I put into my hydro pack.
Below are some rough estimates of how much you’ll need.
Before you start – 500-750ml of fluid with electrolytes to make sure you don’t start dehydrated
Snowdon – 1-2 litres of fluid
Glyderau - 2-3 litres of fluid
Carneddau – 2-3 litres of fluid
Remember than there are places to refill water at both Nant peris and the Ogwen Valley, so you don’t have to carry it all with you from the start.
I’d advise consuming 500 -750ml of water with some electrolytes at both these checkpoints. This will not only keep you hydrated but will mean you won’t have to carry as much water with you over the mountains.
Remember that that a litre of water weighs roughly 1kg.
You can get bottles which allow you to safely refill water from streams and rivers, however there aren’t too many water sources up on the mountains, so I’d advise carrying your water.
Finally, I would recommend having a hydration pack as you can drink on the go.
I used a Osprey 3 litre bladder and a 750ml collapsible running water bottle.
The summit of Glyder Fawr
What to eat?
The secret here is make sure you consume something before you start, at both checkpoints, and eat frequently when you are on the mountains.
Although you may not be running the challenge, I would class the 3,000s as an ultra-style event as you covering 50km and hiking for anywhere between 10-20 hours.
During my attempt in 2022, my Garmin watch said I burnt over 6,000 calories during the 17 hours I was hiking for, which equates to around 350 calories an hour
Without going into the science of things “Research findings support the consumption of 1 gram per kilogram of bodyweight per hour for men, and 0.8 grams per kilogram of bodyweight per hour for women during ultra events”
As an 80kg male I was aiming for around 60-80g of carbs and around 250-300 calories per hour.
Looking back towards Snowdon and the Glyderau from Carnedd Llewellyn
What you eat is down to personal preference and should be food that you have tried and tested on hikes before.
Don’t rely solely on sugary snacks as your body will just end up crashing. In addition you may end up with stomach issues.
I’d recommended calorie dense foods, which have good mixture of carbohydrate sources alongside some protein. Also consider salty foods which will help replenish the salts you would have lost.
Below is what I consumed on my successful attempt in 2022:
Overnight oats with protein - before I stared at 4am
3 bananas
4 snickers bars
3 cliff bars
2 battle bites protein bars
A pack of Haribo giant strawbs
A pack of Haribo tangfastics
2 SIS energy gels
A pack of Welsh cakes
2 cans of Fanta
2 double sausage and egg baps – At Nant Peris
A king Pot noodle and a pack of cooked prawns – At Ogwen valley
Bag of sausage rolls
Lidl hazelnut doughnut
4 servings of High 5 carb powder – Around 200g of carbs
The key for me was eating something every 45 minutes to an hour, even if didn’t feel like it. This was to keep my energy levels high and prevent hitting the dreaded wall or ‘bonking’.
Think about fuelling you body the same as maintaining a campfire fire, you have to keep it continuously topping it up otherwise it will go out.
Where to stay?
Now unless you live in Snowdonia you are going to have to factor in at least two nights accommodation to complete this challenge.
Where you sleep is down to a few factors including; personal preference, what options you have available to, the weather, and what time you plan on starting the challenge.
Driving any significant distance after this challenge would be utterly stupid so please don’t entertain that idea.
The night before my successful attempt in 2022, I stayed in my VW campervan in a layby on the side of A4086 beneath the Glyders, I also slept in the van after I completed it.
On my attempt in 2023 i slept in the Van at the Aber Falls car park and slept in the van the night afte.
If you don’t have a vehicle to sleep in or any mates nearby, there are several affordable accommodation options throughout the park including hostels and campsites.
The most ideal would be the YHA at the Pen-y-pass where you just walk across the road to start your challenge. Otherwise I’d recommend Llanberis.
The view from Y Garn
Reflections, summary, and final pieces of advice
If you get the right conditions and have put the training in, the views are phenomenal and the challenge one that will live long in the memory.
You will endure highs and lows but given the magnificent array of mountainous landscape which you are treated to, it makes everything worth it in the end.
Below is a summary of the 12 tips which I can offer anyone attempting the Welsh 3,000’s.
Save it for a good day – If you can, be flexible with dates so you can take this on in the best conditions possible. Poor conditions can be both energy and morale sapping alongside dangerous. One non-negotiable for me would be visibility, It impacts both navigation and views which has a huge impact on motivation.
Make sure you are fit enough – Rack up the mountain miles. You should be comfortable hiking and scrambling in the mountains on long distance hikes (8+ hours) which have significant amounts of elevation gain (1,500- 2000m).
Have experience hiking the entirety of the route – Break it down into 3 separate hikes across the 3 different ranges and use it as training days. It will not only improve your fitness but give you and understanding of both the challenge and the route.
Get your logistics on point – If you have a support vehicle, identify the locations and what times (roughly) they will meet you. If you are doing a two-car strategy, drop the car off and stash drop supplies the night before, and remember than the Pen-y- pass is pre-booking only in the summer.
Have the route downloaded offline on a proper hiking app – and also you know how to use it. I’d recommend OS Maps.
Have the correct gear – Essentials include appropriate footwear, waterproof jacket, backpack, extra layers, head torches, a map, and a power bank.
Hike with people on the same level as you - If you’re doing it with a friend or group, make sure they have a similar fitness level, and you understand what time you aim to complete it in.
If one person is significantly faster or slower than the other, it’s going to be frustrating for both people and will take the enjoyment out of the challenge.
Eat little and often – Eat something before you start, at both check points, alongside eating snacks every 45-60 minutes. Depending on your weight you should aim for 0.8-1 gram of carbs per kilo of bodyweight, and around 200-350 calories an hour.
Stay on top of your hydration – Don’t start dehydrated and look to carry between 1.5-2.5 litres of fluid per mountain range. Consume plenty of fluid at the two road crossings, where there are taps and consider using electrolytes and sports drinks to replace salts and keep energy levels up.
Don’t linger too long on the summits – Use each summit as a chance to rest, refuel, and hopefully enjoy the views, but don’t linger too long. Five minutes on each peak equates to extra 75 minutes, 10 minutes is 2.5 hours.
Break the challenge down – The scale of the challenge can be overwhelming. Break the hike down into the three mountain ranges, then each range into separate peaks.
Give yourself realistic time targets for each range and each peak. This gives you something to aim for and makes the hike seem more manageable.
Know your limits – Park your ego and don’t be afraid to pull the plug if things aren’t going your way. The mountains will always be there and you don’t want to end up hurting yourself or having to be rescued.
So there we have it, my detailed guide to the Welsh 3000s.
If you would like a full breakdown of the route alongside a recount of my successful attempt, check out my blog post below.
If you do have any further questions feel free to drop me a message on Instagram.
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For more travel, hiking, & photography inspiration around Wales check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite Welsh regions below.
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