Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge
This is no longer a public event but we love arranging private Welsh 3 Peak challenges where we adapt the itinerary to suit you. Whether it's for you and your friends/famly, a birthday gift or a Corporate Day/Charity event, please email us [email protected] to find out more.
The stunning mountainous terrains of Wales is home to the mighty Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge.
The challenge covers the length of the country by conquering the highest mountain in three different mountain ranges of North, Mid and South Wales.
The mountains include Snowdon in North Wales, Cadair Idris in Mid Wales and Pen-Y-Fan in South Wales accumulating a total of 2864m of ascent in a single day.
Wales supplies some of the best scenery that the UK has to offer and The Welsh 3 Peaks will not leave you disappointed with three different mountain ranges to experience.
Unlike the National Three Peaks Challenge, the travel between the mountains is fairly short so the The Welsh 3 Peaks Trek can be completed in a single day, albeit a long one.
Snowdon 1085M (3560ft)
Cadair Idris 893M (2930ft)
Pen-y-Fan 886M (2907ft)
The meeting point for the adventure is at Llanberis Mountain Railway Train Station (LL55 4TT) at 05:00.
We will depart for Pen y Fan, the most southern mountain of the trio. Situated in the Brecon Beacons, it is an outdoor adventure paradise for trekkers and mountaineers.
The Challenge Brief will be completed before we start to trek the smallest mountain of the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge.
After descending Pen y Fan, we are swiftly on our way to the next spectacular mountain of Cadair Idris, where we are confronted with the second mountain of challenge at nearly 900m tall.
If we are really lucky, we will be treated to a second dose of beautiful views of stunning mountain terrain but we can’t guarantee the weather unfortunately; it is Wales after all!
With two mountains complete and the back of the challenge broken, there is just one more mountain to conquer. Our tired legs but strong hearts, will push us through to the final and highest mountain of The Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge (and Wales!); Mount Snowdon.
With all three mountains summited, the participants are then able to collect their vehicles for their onward travel / accommodation.
Itinerary Overview (Approx Timings – please view as a guide only)
05:00 Meet at Llanberis Mountain Railway Train Station (LL55 4TT)
05:15 Depart for Pen y Fan (Driving time 3 hours)
08:15 Event Briefing
08:30 Start Pen y Fan (Trekking time 2 hours)
10:30 Depart for Cadair Idris (Driving time 2 hours)
12:30 Start Cadair Idris (Trekking time 4 hours)
16:30 Depart for Snowdon (Driving time 1.5 hours)
18:00 Start Snowdon (Trekking time 5 hours)
23:00 Finish
What's included:
>> Mountain Guides
>> Shuttle Transport (During the Challenge)
>> Light Refreshments & Fluids
>> 3 Peaks Finisher Medal
What's not included:
>> Transport to / from Wales
>> Accommodation
>> Personal Insurance
>> Food
All Challenge Central events require a minimum participation level in order to operate. On very rare occasions if this level is not reached with 3 months to go, we may unfortunately have to cancel the challenge date. Bookings can either be refunded in full or transferred to another Challenge Central event within the next 18 months. Please find our full Terms and Conditions here.
Downloadable Kit List available here
Clothing:
>> Walking Socks
>> Waterproof Socks
>> Walking Boots
>> Base Layers - Shorts, Tights, Upper Body
>> Walking Trousers
>> Rain Jacket
>> Fleece / Warm Jumper
>> Hat / Gloves / Scarf
>> Walking / Wind Proof Jacket
Luggage / Packing Equipment:
>> Day Ruck Sack (This would be a Personal Preference regarding which size however 40-45L in our opinion would be fine - Example)
>> Packing Sacks and Dry Sacks
>> Camelbak / Water Bottle (This would be a Personal Preference regarding which size Camelbak however 2L in our opinion would be fine - Example)
Hygiene & Health:
>> Toilet Paper
>> Hand Towel and Flannel
>> Prescribed Medication (if applicable)
Walking Equipment:
>> Head Torch & Spare Batteries
>> Mini First Aid Kit** / Pain Killers / Blister Plasters / Vaseline
>> Insect Repellent / Sun Cream / Sun Glasses
>> Whistle / Compass
>> Mobile Phone
Nutrition (suggestions only):
>> Energy Bars / Trek Bars
>> Nuts / Seeds / Dry Fruit
>> Malt Loaf / Banana Cake
>> Sweets (e.g Jelly Babies)
>> Protein Shake
>> Protein / Recovery Bars
Other Optional Equipment:
>> Walking Poles
>> Camera
>> Maps
>> Emergency Equipment – Silver Blanket / Survival Bag**
**Our Mountain Team will also have Emergency Equipment and Maps with them.
We are pleased to provide all trekking participants with a special discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor Ltd which is available to use both in their stores and online through their website.
*Terms & Conditions apply.
Physical fitness and walking experience are both very important however the ethos of Challenge Central is to take on a challenge, not to be the quickest.
The challenge involves walking for approximately 12 hours in one single day so should not be considered very easy however it is possible to achieve with correct preparation. We encourage in the build up to the challenge, participants undertake physical activity for at least 3 months. All challengers will receive a plan to help support with their training.
The best and most relevant training you can do would be to walk up and down mountains or hills. We appreciate that this is not always possible due to location however anything with a gradient will help prepare you for the real thing.
If you do not have access to any hills then you can create your own in the gym. Walk up hills on the treadmill, take steps on the climber or go up and down stairs. Any movement that involves stepping up is beneficial.
Failing the first two training options, the next best thing would be to improve the strength of muscles required in the challenge. Performing exercises such as squats, lunges and step ups will help increase the strength of your leg muscles. You can progress by holding weights to increase intensity. We recommend you speak to your gym instructor if you are unsure.
Of course not, no one will be left behind.
We will always have a leader right at the front and a mountain guide at the back of the group to show the way. Challengers are not permitted to overtake the front leader or fall behind the back guide. Commonly this results in 3 smaller groups; a front group, back group and one in the middle. No one will be forced to walk faster or slower than they are able to.
Due to time constraints on this challenge, we do have a responsibility to our challengers to maintain a reasonable pace as detailed under our itinerary. Should any participant not be able to achieve this pace during the event, they will be asked to withdraw from parts of or the remaining sections of the challenge.
We do not supply food on the trip however we recommend you bring food that is energy dense, light to carry and easy to eat on the mountain.
Keeping yourself hydrated is very important, before, during and after the mountain.
The amount of water required varies for each individual and very weather dependent. As a rule of thumb however, we recommend a minimum of 3 litres for the event.
We strongly recommend anyone who has a medical condition should seek approval from their GP / Consultant before signing up to a challenge. When registering for the event, you are agreeing to be fit and healthy enough to take part.
The Health and safety of all participants and members of staff are paramount to us. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, we may require a letter from a medical professional stating that you are fit enough to undergo the activity. Please refer to 6.6 in our Terms & Conditions.
Any lost property can be collected from our HQ in Letchworth, Hertfordshire or we can post the belongings out to you. If posted, please note you will be charged P&P plus a £10 admin fee in advance of the items being delivered. Please refer to 6.5 in our Terms & Conditions.
Yes, Challenge Central have both public and employer liability cover from our Tour Operator insurance. This covers us for the costs of legal fees resulting from claims of negligence against Challenge Central. If you would like to view a copy, please get in contact.
Our insurance does not cover participants personally if Challenge Central is not at fault.