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Welsh 3000s – Walking the Welsh 14 Peaks Challenge Guide and Map

By Dave Roberts   

on December 11, 2011    No ratings yet.

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Snowdonia National Park, The Carneddau, The Glyderau, Wales, Wyddfa - Snowdon

Welsh 3000s – Walking the Welsh 14 Peaks Challenge Guide and Map

Route Essentials

Route Summary

The premier hill walking challenge!

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

46.8 km

Ascent

3404 m

Time

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Difficulty

Epic Walk, Scrambling, Scrambling Grade 1

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Welsh 3000s – Walking the Welsh 14 Peaks Challenge Guide and Map Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Welsh 3000s – Walking the Welsh 14 Peaks Challenge Guide and Map

The walk across the Welsh 14 peaks challenge is one of the toughest walks in Snowdonia National Park.

An absolute must if you’re fit enough.

OS Map Required Explorer 017, BMC Map, Landranger 115

Welsh 3000s – Walking the Welsh 14 Peaks Challenge Route Description

The route above takes you up Crib Goch initially and then over Garnedd Ugain and Wyddfa, but you could just as easily ascend the PYG track and then descend over Garnedd Ugain and Crib Goch. The problem with that is that you’re going against flow of traffic on the Crib.

crib_goch_73_960

The descent to Cwm Glas is very steep, but grassy. This should not be attempted without very good nav skills in mist, and you should be confident in descending steep, mainly grassy slopes. You need to make a judgement call from the top, and do not follow the gps log slavishly!  Alternatively, you may need to walk to Llanberis and then to Nant Peris, adding a good few kms, but probably the safest option!

elidir_quarries_45_960

There’s a path from Llyn Glas to the Main road, then on to Nant Peris  and up Elidir. This is the killer ascent! Cross the Glyderau with few problems (the scree on the way up Glyder Fawr isn’t particularly nice though) but the descent to Cwm Tryfan can be. Either descend the horrible, but quick, scree slope or take the slightly longer, but much better on the knees, Miner Track. Decisions then if you’re going to scramble down from Tryfan on the North Ridge (shortest route) or return south and either to the Bwlch or down the Heather Terrace as on the map above. Glyderau and Tryfan Route.

Tryfan_620_102

This takes you to Gwern Gof Isaf and avoids Ogwen. This could be an issue if you’re depending on stopping there for snacks and facilities. However, if you’ve got a support vehicle, then it’s easier for them to park at Gwern Gof Isaf. You also avoid the tougher ascent of Pen yr Ole Wen from Ogwen, and instead you get to ascend a much more pleasant route!

Carneddau_2006_12_620

Over the Carneddau is easy enough if you get clear weather. A faint path contours around to Yr Elen, don’t forget Yr Elen! It’s easily done…

Carneddau_Snow_Nov_2008_620_92

Follow the ridge north as far as Bwlch Y Ddeufaen where you’ll need to organise a support vehicle. Or, slightly longer, you can descend to Llyn Anafon and walk down to Abergwyngregyn, though there isn’t anything there that’s likely to be open  by that time of day!

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

The premier hill walking challenge!

Route Start Location:

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
46.8 km 3404 m

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Epic Walk, Scrambling, Scrambling Grade 1

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

none noted

Hazards

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Public Transport:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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