Welsh Three-Thousanders from Pen-y-Pass
Snowdonia/Eryri Walk
Nat Park - Snowdonia - Snowdonia Challenge Route
County/Area - Gwynedd & Conwy
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 31.5 miles / 51.2 km Ascent - 11900 feet / 3606 metres
Time - 27 hours 40 minutes Grade - severe
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL17 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer OL17 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 115 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 115 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
This is one of the great endurance walks of Snowdonia (Eryri). It is not for novices and should only be attempted if you are fit, competent and able to navigate in poor visibility. The route can be subject to rapid changes in weather and what might be a nice day when you start could soon become a nightmare. Whatever the circumstances always be prepared to abort and admit defeat.
For most people completing 50 km on flat, easy surfaces will be a challenge. To complete the same distance over tough mountain terrain including ascending (and descending) a height equivalent to a third of Everest then you have put the route into context and perhaps immediately decided to leave it until another year! There are some sections where speed is impossible and this is compounded when tiredness starts to take over.
There have been many theories put forward about the route and the one given here begins at Pen-y-pass and finishes at Aber Falls. Obviously there are many ways this can be completed and the route provided here is based on personal preference and includes the hardest sections in the first two thirds of the route. However do not underestimate the final third as you are crossing remote areas far from major roads with any problems increased by fatigue.
At this stage it would be best to define the peaks in order of appearance. They are :-
Peak | Height ft | Height m | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Crib Goch | 3028 | 923 |
2 | Garnedd Ugain | 3494 | 1065 |
3 | Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) | 3560 | 1085 |
4 | Elidir Fawr | 3031 | 924 |
5 | Y Garn | 3106 | 947 |
6 | Glyder Fawr | 3277 | 999 |
7 | Glyder Fach | 3261 | 994 |
8 | Tryfan | 3002 | 915 |
9 | Pen yr Ole Wen | 3208 | 978 |
10 | Carnedd Dafydd | 3425 | 1044 |
11 | Carnedd Llewelyn | 3490 | 1064 |
12 | Yr Elen | 3156 | 962 |
13 | Foel Grach | 3202 | 976 |
14 | Garnedd Uchaf | 3038 | 926 |
15 | Foel-fras | 3090 | 942 |
The fittest will complete this route during the hours of daylight in summer but for those less used to walking then completion in two or three convenient sections spread over a couple of days would be more appropriate.
Much of the route is covered in the walks contained on this website so the broad outline given below should suffice :-
A - Starting from Pen-y-pass follow walk 3036 and descend from Snowdon towards Llanberis as far as Derlwyn (grid ref. 589588) before dropping down to the main road west of Nant Peris. This is "off path" and care needs to be taken to keep away from crags. If in doubt head down to Llanberis and walk up the road.
B - Locate the lane by the Chapel in Nant Peris (grid ref. SH605585) and follow the path into Cwm Dudodyn. Reaching a footbridge (grid ref. SH608596) strike off due north for the summit of Elidir Fawr. This ascent is one of the least interesting of the route and is a real test of character. From Elidir Fawr the onward route to Tryfan is straightforward with the descent from Glyder Fach best accomplished down the steep scree path just to the west of Bristly Ridge. Care also needs to be taken in locating the descent route down the north ridge of Tryfan. If in doubt retrace your steps to Bwlch tryfan ans use the Heather Terrace. Parts of this section are covered in walk 3019, walk 1186, walk 1088 and walk 3001 although most of them have been described in reverse order!
C - Having completed the descent from Tryfan attack Pen yr Ole Wen by the west ridge as described in walk 1150, which takes you through to Carnedd Llewellyn. The next summit, Yr Elen, is and an out and back route from Carnedd Llewellyn before you regain the main ridge and head north to Foel Grach. The remainder of the route from here to the Aber Falls car park is covered in walk 3021.
D - Give yourself a pat on the back!
Other walks nearby
Walk 2650 | Tryfan, the Glyders & Y Garn | very hard | 8.0 miles |
Walk 1088 | Glyder Ridge traverse | hard | 5.5 miles |
Walk 1186 | Y Garn from Ogwen Cottage | mod/hard | 4.5 miles |
Walk 3019 | Y Garn & Carnedd y Filiast Ogwen Cottage | hard | 8.5 miles |
Walk 3062 | Pen yr Ole Wen | moderate | 5.0 miles |
Walk 2417 | Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr and Tryfan from Idwal Cottage | mod/hard | 6.5 miles |
Walk 1137 | Y Garn (Route 2) from Ogwen Cottage | mod/hard | 4.5 miles |
Walk 2680 | Circuit of Llyn Idwal | easy | 2.8 miles |
Walk 1192 | Yr Aran | mod/hard | 6.5 miles |
Walk 1103 | Snowdon & Cwm Llan horseshoe | very hard | 13.0 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Great Mountain Days in Snowdonia
Inspirational guidebook to 40 great mountain day walks and scrambles in Snowdonia. Inspirational routes for all abilities across the National Park with routes up Snowdon and Moel Eilio, the Glyderau, the Carneddau, Eifionydd, Siabod and the Moelwynion, Rhinogydd (the Harlech Dome), Migneint and the Arans and Cadair Idris and the Tarrens.
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Snowdonia: 30 Low-level and easy walks - North
Guidebook describing 30 walks in Snowdonia, Wales. Routes are mostly low level and on clear paths and showcase the region's beautiful scenery and rich history and culture. Part of a 2-volume set, this northern volume includes the Snowdon area, the Ogwen and Conwy Valleys, Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert, Ffestiniog and the coast.
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Mountain Weather
Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.