14 Peaks Experience | Welsh 3000s Challenge

Accommodation

• 4 nights' hotel accommodation
  
  

The hotel is situated in the picturesque Alpine-style village centre, positioning you perfectly for a potter around the pretty streets or taking a wander along the banks of the idyllic River Conwy.

Single room supplement

If you would prefer your own room this can usually be accommodated, though an extra charge would apply and is not possible at the bothy.

Twin rooms

Solo explorers will be matched up with a likeminded traveller to share with as the rooms in Betws-Y-Coed will be on a twin basis.

Locally-sourced food

Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

Kit list

• Mountain walking boots
• Walking socks
• Walking trousers
• Walking poles (optional)
• Base layers
• Warm fleece or softshell mid layer
• Waterproof & windproof jacket – the weather can change quickly in the mountains so it’s essential to carry one, even in summer
• Waterproof trousers
• Hat and gloves – even in summer it can get cold at altitude
• Sun cream, sun glasses, insect repellent and a sun hat
• Day backpack – to carry hydration, lunch, snacks and spare clothing
• Small first aid kit including blister kit and ibuprofen
• Head torch

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Betws-y-Coed
Betws-y-Coed
Clwyd
LL24
UK

Getting there

• By air

  The closest international airports are Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport. It is approximately a 1 hour 40 minute taxi transfer from Liverpool John Lennon Airport or 2 hour 10 minute transfer from Manchester Airport to the tour start point in Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by rail to Betws-Y-Coed. It is approximately a 2 hour taxi transfer to either airport from the tour end point in Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by rail from Bangor.

• By rail

  The tour start point is in Betws-y-Coed which has its own station. From Wrexham Station, it is a 1 hour taxi transfer to the tour start point in Bala or alternatively travel by bus from Wrexham via Arriva X94. From the tour end point in Betws-y-Coed, there’s a train station walking distance from your hotel. Bangor Station is a 45 minute taxi transfer from Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by bus from Betws-y-Coed.

• By road

  The tour start point in Betws-y-Coed is located on the A470, and less than 1.5 hours from M56 and M54 motorways. The tour end point in Trearddur Bay is located less than 30 minutes from the A5, and less than 1.5 hours from the M56 and less than 3 hours from the M54 motorways.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival and welcome

  Arrive at your accommodation in Betws-y-Coed between 16:00 and 17:00 for check-in.

  You’ll be staying in a quality hotel with comfortable bedrooms, each with ensuite bathroom and tea/coffee-making facilities. It’s a traditional Victorian property dating back to the 1800s, situated in the centre of the pretty village of Betws-y-Coed.

  This evening you’ll enjoy a welcome meal in the hotel restaurant. Get to know your guides and fellow walkers over a meal, a pint and a route map of the iconic Welsh 3000s.

• Day 2 | Carneddau mountains

  Once you’re fueled up for a tough day of hiking with breakfast, you'll be driven to your starting point. Your epic hiking experience will begin near the northerly point of Snowdonia.

  Head straight up into the Carneddau (“the cairns”) mountain range. A large plateau covering 10% of the area of Snowdonia, the Carneddau features six of your Welsh peaks. Pick them off one by one, beginning with Foel Fras at 942, taking in the third highest peak in Snowdonia, Carnedd Llewelyn at 1,064m, and finishing your big day on Pen Yr Ole Wen at 978m.

  From here you’ll be taken back to your accommodation for a well-earned rest.

  Betws-y-Coed offers a number of bars, restaurants and cafes within walking distance of your accommodation.

• Day 3 | The rugged Tryfan

  After a good night’s rest, get your walking boots on for the second day of your Snowdonia hiking adventure.

  You’ll pick up where you left off yesterday, starting with Tryfan. At 915m it’s the lowest of the 14 peaks, but what it’s lacking in height it makes up for in ruggedness. It’s a sign of what’s to come today, with the Glyderau being a range of big slabby peaks. A real contrast to yesterday.

  You’ll conquer five more challenging peaks today. Pause for the classic photo on Glyder Fach’s famous cantilever stone, before concluding day two by summitting Ellidir Fawr and descending to Nant Peris. From here we’ll take you back to your hotel.

  Kick your boots off, fill your stomach and sleep well.

• Day 4 | Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa

  Saving the biggest til last! The Snowdon Massif is home to Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales at 1,085m high.

  It’s also the busiest peak in the national park, with around 500,000 visitors each year. Which is why we saved the biggest til Monday. So while everyone else is at work, you can enjoy this monolith of a mountain.

  Make sure you’ve brought your head for heights. Today you’ll warm up with a grade 1 scramble up Crib Goch, followed by a knife-edge traverse. Completing this is a badge of honour in itself.

  Next on your bucket list is Crib Y Ddysgyl, the second highest peak in Snowdonia at 1,065m. And finally, ascend Snowdon itself.

  Take it easy at last, as you enjoy the walk down. And get ready to celebrate your achievement with a well-earned beer or two in the local pub.

• Day 5 | Depart

  Enjoy your final breakfast in your Welsh mountain home before packing your bags ready for check out.

  After an incredible three days conquering Snowdonia’s 14 Peaks together, it’ll be (socially distanced) bear hugs all round with your new hiking buddies.

Included

• Hike the 14 highest peaks in Snowdonia National Park
• 4 nights' accommodation in a 3-star hotel with breakfast
• 3 days of guided hiking in stunning mountain scenery
• Voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails
• A mountain leader for a high guide:guest ratio
• Maximum group size of 8 for a truly personal experience
• Welcome evening meal with your guides
• All transport during the trip
• 1 native tree planted in the woodland

Caring for the world as you do

This adventure supports local, independent businesses. Local guides are always used – people who will give you a more authentic experience and share the hidden secrets only local adventurers can bring. And because this is their home, they have a truly active interest in caring for their environment.

The carbon footprint of all trips is measured and reduced to be as low as possible. Any carbon that is yet to be mitigated is off-set through a local tree planting project. One tree exceeds what is needed to offset the emissions of your low carbon adventure holiday.

Here is a summary of the Sustainability Policy:

Economic responsibility

• Keeping it local

  Working exclusively with local, independently-owned businesses to ensure your money goes straight into the communities that you're visiting.

• Fair pay for quality service

  Treating partners fairly for the high standards of service they deliver to you, whilst still ensuring value for money.

• Supporting local producers

  Local, independent shops, accommodation, bars and eateries are used and encouraged.

Environmental responsibility

• Low carbon travel

  Ensuring the carbon footprint of this adventure is offset by planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch.

  Responsibility is taken for ensuring the carbon footprint of your travel is offset. By working with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, the unavoidable carbon emissions created by travel are offset, but also new, biodiverse woodland areas within the UK are created that will benefit both the planet and the community. Planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch, is helping to increase the available natural habitat for the UK’s native wildlife. Species such as bullfinches, beavers, the brimstone butterfly and many more are all benefitting from this.

• Avoiding single-use plastics

  Reusable aluminium bottles are provided on arrival at your accommodation and packed lunches use more sustainable wrapping such as paper bags or wax paper wrap.

• Locally sourced food

  Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

• Blue Flag Award

  Partnering with one of the first boat tour operators in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Sustainable Boat Tour Operator status.

Social responsibility

• Small group tours

  The primary concern with tourism in the UK’s wild spaces is to ensure it only has a positive impact on the local communities and culture so for this reason small group trips never exceed 15 guests.

• Live like a local

  Learning the history and culture of a region plays a big role in your travelling experience – it’s what brings a place to life.

• Read the landscape

  The historical significance of the area is brought to life by the local guides who help you understand the features of the landscape.

• Learn the language

  Keeping local languages alive is sacred, so you’re encouraged to learn simple words and phrases during your time on the adventure.

• Understanding farming culture

  Respecting the countryside code and understanding farming practices are important for visitors to the area.

Adventure promise

Making travel better for everyone

The Adventure Promise is simple and honest. It’s the commitment that this challenge will always do right by you, local communities and the world we live in:

• Payment Instalments
• Flexible Booking
• Low Carbon
• Low Impact
• Support Local
• All Abilities
• Covid Secure

Costs