Welsh 3000 - 3 Day Hike & Scramble

The Welsh 3000 is a hiking route that covers 15 peaks that are over 3000ft in Wales- Snowdonia, covering around 24 miles (dependent on the specific route). Although the ambitious and experienced mountain walkers challenge themselves to complete this in under 24 hours, we will cover the route over 3 days to make the most of the best scrambling and enjoy the great views North Wales has to offer. This includes summiting the highest mountain in Wales - Mt Snowdon. Note: a scramble is midway between hiking and climbing. In other words, it's hiking with some use of hands to stabilise yourself.

Day 1

Our first 8-9 hour hike will start in the Ogwen valley and head up the east ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen. This involves some mild and short-lived scrambling through ‘the choke’ (less than Grade 1). From the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen we’ll continue on a fantastic ridge walk along the Carneddau range over Carnedd Dafydd, Yr Elen, Carnedd Llewelyn (second highest mountain in Wales), Foel Grach, Garnedd Uchaf and Foel-fras. What a day! Grade: Walk Distance: 18.5 km Height gain: 1250m Time: 8-9 hrs

Day 2

Our Day 2 route will head straight up the North Ridge of Tryfan. The North Ridge is a Grade 1 scramble, and is a strong start to the day but can be made harder or easier depending on what is preferred (the benefit of being with someone that knows the variations well, like I do). The continuation to Glyder Fach is via Bristly Ridge is a slightly more difficult Grade 1 with challenging sections which are less avoidable than on Tryfan. After Glyder Fach is summited, then we continue to complete the Glderau 3000ft peaks with Glyder Fawr, Y Garn and Elidir Fawr. Grade scramble: 1 (some use of hands, relatively straight forward route) Distance: 18 km Height gain: 1400m Time: 8-9 hrs

Day 3

Our final day will take on the Snowdon Horseshoe, which involves the summits of Crib Goch, Snowdon and Lliwedd. Crib Goch has an exposed ridge. Although ‘just’ a grade 1 scramble participants do need a head for heights. We’ll take it slowly on this section, and because the group size is small (maximum four people), I will be able to coach you through the tricky sections. Grade scramble: 1 (some use of hands, relatively straight forward route) Distance: 11 km Height gain: 910m Time: 6-7 hrs