Snowdon Sunrise Challenge Weekend

Combine a spectacular Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) sunrise summit climb with guided hikes around brilliant landscape features and accommodation for the weekend.


Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Group Size: Maximum 20
Level: Active Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Enjoy the beautiful, memorable experience of walking in wonderment under a dark sky before seeing dawn breaking across the mountains of Snowdonia (Eryri National Park).

  • Challenge yourself to summit the highest mountain in Wales!

  • Let your Large Outdoors guide take care of logistics and navigation, leaving you to enjoy this magical sunrise experience.

  • Enjoy the comforts of a lovely guesthouse with meals provided..


 

How do we grade our walks?

 

Welcome a new day from the summit of the highest mountain in Wales

This weekend blends comfortable accommodation, brilliant company, guided walks through breathtaking scenery, and an unforgettable sunrise summit of Snowdon.

We lead Snowdon Sunrise Guided Walks throughout the summer, but this is an opportunity to extend your trip, get some more walking in, socialise with your fellow walkers, and make a weekend of it!

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

The mountain scenery and picturesque setting of Llanberis are usually enough to create a rush of excitement as you pitch up at Dol Peris Guesthouse, our base for the weekend. Step through the doorway (anytime from 5pm onwards) and that excitement tends to build after you’re introduced to your companions for the weekend and the conversations and laughter ring out from the cottage.

While you’re settling in, your Large Outdoors host will be preparing the evening meal - served around 8pm - for the group and trying to get a word in edgeways to outline the plans for the weekend ahead!

Day 2

Today we head out for a walk which tends to be shorter and gentler than our normal Saturday yomps, given tomorrow’s challenge. So, for this one we plan routes that are about exploring the area’s delights.

Possible routes include:

Llyn Crafnant and Betws-y-Coed Forest - This is an area of low hills, rolling forest-clad scenery and quiet lakes tucked away from the busier parts of the mountains, making it an excellent place to head out for a few hours’ fresh air. There are excellent views from rises in the trail, but otherwise it’s an easy wander through constantly changing countryside. We’ll visit several lakes, and if it’s hot we even give you the chance to have a paddle!

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Ogwen - One of the most famous mountain features in Snowdonia, Cwm Idwal is the hanging valley that inspired Darwin, and where the brooding gash of the Devil’s Kitchen watches over the valley below. We head out on a rambling walk to circuit Llyn Idwal, walk up to the beautiful Llyn Bochlwyd next to Tryfan, and perhaps also take the path that runs behind Llyn Ogwen, which has its own Arthurian legend!

We aim to finish today’s walk at around 2pm and then head back to the accommodation for a bit of rest and relaxation. It’s also a good time to prepare the snacks you might want to enjoy at the summit. We’ll then enjoy an early dinner - prepared by your host - before setting that early alarm for the adventure ahead!

Day 3

Our exact timings depend on when the sunrise will be for the date of your chosen trip, but it will certainly be an early-hours-of-the-morning start to begin our ascent of Snowdon (1085m) in time for sunrise at the top.

Our guide will follow the Llanberis path, a longer route up Snowdon which offers a gentler gradient. Normally, the route is popular with walkers in the daytime, so enjoy that special feeling of having the mountain to yourself (apart from your other companions of course!) as you stride out under the watchful eye of the moon or the glittery canopy of stars.

After 3-4 hours walking and with light creeping in, you’ll be able to make out the beautiful views as the day unfolds. Once at Snowdon’s summit, we allow ample time for people to simply sit and enjoy the moment, as most will be transfixed by the sight of the sunrise, which magically seems to make most people forget the fact that they’ve got up at ‘silly o-clock’ to get there!

We’ll then wind our way down from the summit and head back to the guesthouse. There should be time for a quick breakfast for those who need to re-fuel, before checking out at 10am. Rest assured the magic of the sunrise experience will stay with you for the remainder of the day, as you leave the weekend buzzing in the knowledge you’ve climbed the highest peak in Wales at a time when most people are still in the land of nod.

Please note: On Day 2 there could be a short drive, where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

Good to Know

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm.
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    Dol Peris
    High Street
    Llanberis
    Gwynedd
    LL55 4HA

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    Parking: There is limited parking available at the accommodation and plenty of pay-and-display car parks nearby.

    Public Transport: The easiest way to get to Dol Peris on public transport is a train to Bangor and then the S2 bus from Bangor Train Station to Llanberis. Please check service/timetables before travelling.

    Taxi: A taxi from Bangor Train Station to Llanberis can cost around £30.

    Please Note: On Day 2 there could be a short drive to the start of the walk, we don't include transport and people normally car share. 

    Finish Time: We will finish on the final day at 10am, when we check out of the accommodation.

  • We’ll be staying in the lovely Dol Peris guesthouse on this trip. It’s a spacious and cosy converted farmhouse set on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, so it’s perfectly placed for our itinerary. With views towards the forests and mountains, it’s a haven that we love coming back to. Wi-Fi is available, there’s a handy drying room and even a wood-burning stove for extra comfort!

    Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    Dol Peris
    High Street
    Llanberis
    Gwynedd
    LL55 4HA

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Double/Twin Room
    Single Room (shared bathroom)

    There are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a room - with single beds, no bunks - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). Double/Twin Rooms sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are shared with other rooms or en-suite). Single Rooms are for one participant and have a single bed (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).

  • Included:

    • 2 nights accommodation in a guesthouse - we have taken over exclusive use of the accommodation, so it will just be Large Outdoors participants staying.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on 2 days (Day 2 & Day 3) through the magical Snowdonia National Park.

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk and Day 3’s sunrise walk.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the weekend mean we may need to jump on a local bus. This cost is not included.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation, or there’s a handy shop next door.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is graded as Active Plus. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
    Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share. Some of our possible routes for the weekend mean we may need to jump on a local bus - the cost for these journeys is not included.

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

  • The first designated National Park in Wales, Snowdonia includes Wales’ highest mountain, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), and an array of other peaks. Beyond the mountains, there are valleys, sandy estuaries, glacial lakes, forests and miles of walking trails.

    Bounded by the Rivers Conwy and Dovey in the east and south, the view to the north and west stretches over the sea where, on a clear day, you can see the Llyn Peninsula, Cardigan Bay and even Ireland. Nestled among the mountains, you’ll find the history of the area in the form of sheep farming, forestry, and slate mining, and settlements dating back thousands of years.

  • What have you most enjoyed about your trip? “Everything! Accommodation; leaders; catering; participants; hikes/walks and weather was amazing!” Amanda, May 2023

    I wanted to say that your two staff members were so welcoming, knowledgeable and made the whole experience magical…I am still blown away from the experience…it’s been mind blowing, I felt safe and most of all it’s been a massive personal achievement on so many levels and it’s all down to your team. Julie, May 2023

    What have you most enjoyed about your trip? “Meeting a group of like minded people. Friendly guides. Accommodation was great. Great location, spacious rooms.” Karen, May 2023

 

Dol Peris provides the comfortable accommodation for this weekend - see photos below:

Book your Snowdon Sunrise Challenge Weekend