Welsh 3000s: 14 Peaks Challenge Fell Running

This is the ultimate Snowdonia fell running adventure. Traverse the three main mountain ranges, the Snowdon Massif, the Glyderau and the Carneddau. Summit all of Snowdonia’s peaks over 3000ft as fast as you can, from Snowdon to Foel Fras.

Course Title: Welsh 3000s – fell running Challenge over one day.
Duration: Fell running challenge – guided traverse with full valley support, with a professional mountain runner.
Cost: £700 per group
Group Size: 1+ (additional guides can be available depending on the abilities and size of the group)
Location: Snowdonia, North Wales.

Traditionally known as the 14 Peaks Challenge, with various route options, the total mileage covered from start to finish is in excess of 30 miles. A support team is provided on the day. The traverse of the Welsh 3000’s is a serious undertaking. In adverse weather conditions, variations to the route may be substituted.

Your group can run this at your pace knowing that whatever your fitness we have a leader who can set an appropriate pace for the group.

To assist your personal success we offer a professional sponsored fell runner Carlton Rowlands. He currently is based in Chamonix. Carlton will guide you around at an incredible pace with constant communication with the ground team providing support for refreshments and injuries.

Carlton Rowlands is a professional trail runner, qualified Mountain Leader and Osteopath.

From his base in Chamonix – Mont-Blanc, Carlton represents Team Vibram as an elite runner on the Ultra Trail World Tour with notable finishes in events such as the UTMB, Laverado trail, TDS, CCC, MIUT, Restronica trail corsica and Ultra Trail Australia to name but a few races.

In his clinical profession as a GOsC registered osteopath he has an additional interest in running biomechanics and lower limb injuries. Underpinned by science and research he is fascinated by the getting the best out of the bodies we have, to relieve pain and more to search for performance. He has received international academic accolades for his research on barefoot running and subsequently presents theory and practical sessions on running efficiency.

Add to this Carlton’s ML qualification he is highly adept at handling groups and very familiar with all the UK’s national parks. He is motivated to help you enjoy the best of the British mountains, whether that be a simple weekend adventure, to learn or improve your mountain navigation or to discover your peak performance.

Northbound Traverse of the Welsh 3000s

We will start this magnificent journey before dawn from Pen y Pass car park.

The Peaks

The Snowdon Range

  • Yr Wyddfa – Snowdon 1085m (3560ft) the highest point in the British Isles outside Scotland
  • Garnedd (or Carnedd) Ugain 1065m (3495ft) on the Crib y Ddysgl ridge
  • Crib Goch 923m (3028ft) the knife-edged and exposed arête with steep drops either side

After completing the first 3 summits of the Snowdon group we will descend to Nant Peris to our first check point and refreshments.

The Glyderau Range

A long, steady ascent to the first summit of the Glyderau range, Elidar Fawr is followed by 4 further summits, rocky ridges and the iconic ‘Adam and Eve’ stones on Tryfan.

  • Elidar Fawr 923m (3029ft)
  • Y Garn 947m (3107ft)
  • Glyder Fawr 999m (3279ft)
  • Castell y Gwynt 972m (3189ft) If this rocky feature summit is included we have 16 summits
  • Glyder Fach 994m (3262ft)
  • Tryfan 915m (3002ft) and the iconic summit stones of Adam and Eve. Joe’s favourite mountain

A steep descent takes us into the Ogwen Valley for our second check-point and refreshments

The Carneddau Range

You need to focus the mind for another steep ascent to the broad summit of Pen Yr Ole Wen, the start of the Carneddau range.

  • Pen yr Ole Wen 978m (3209ft)
  • Carnedd Dafydd 1044m (3424ft)
  • Carnedd Llewelyn 1064m (3491ft)
  • Yr Elen 962m (3156ft)
  • Foel Grach 976m (3202ft)
  • Foel Fras 942m (3091ft) is the offical, final and remotest peak of the northbound traverse
  • Garnedd Uchaf 926m (3038ft) classed as the 15th Peak, excluding Castell y Gwynt on the Glyderau

The final summit on the Welsh 3000’s is Foel Fras. If time permits we will take a detour and summit Garnedd Uchaf before descending to Bwlch Y Ddeufean or the coast at Abergwyngregan, where you will be collected by the support team.

Previous Experience/Fitness

You will need to be a fit mountain fell runner. A head for heights is necessary. Do not under-estimate this challenge. Ascents and descents are demanding. Some ridges are exposed with steep drops. It is far more strenuous and requires more stamina than the National 3 Peaks Challenge.

Equipment

You will need clothing and footwear that is appropriate for mountain walking conditions. A kit list, estimate timings, route information details will be provided on booking.

Look for the contact page link on the booking form to enquire about the dates and details of all upcoming activities and courses.

We are happy to arrange private guiding or instruction to suit requirements.

Contact us to make a booking enquiry

Let the challenge begin! This is a wonderful route, with spectacular views, weather permitting. If you prefer to complete this over a more leisurely period of time, other than our 24 hour or 3 Day Traverse, then please contact us.