Summit Snowdon Challenge Weekend

Head for the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest peak in Wales, and enjoy fantastic accommodation and excellent food with your fellow challengers.


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

In a Nutshell:

  • Walk to the summit of Snowdon, led by a Mountain Leader and with a friendly and supportive group.

  • Enjoy more of Snowdonia National Park while you’re in the area with a relaxed, guided walk on the morning after your Snowdon ascent.

  • Feast on freshly prepared food and relax in our exclusive guesthouse.

  • Discover more about the history and nature of Snowdonia, making your summit attempt all that more special.


 
 

Summit the mighty Snowdon on a sociable weekend in North Wales!

Standing at 1085m above sea level, Snowdon is the highest peak in England and Wales, and dominates the scenery of North Wales. It’s a stunning triangular peak, recognisable from most places in the National Park, and with 9 different walking routes to the top. Views from the summit range from the isle of Anglesey over the hunderds of mountains of North Wales, and along the coast of the Irish Sea. You’ll even see England in the distance.

Join us for a great adventure! Alongside a friendly group and an experienced leader you'll take on the mighty Snowdon. This isn't a race, but a walk at a steady pace designed to experience one of the most popular peaks in the world. It's a sociable journey to the summit with a group of like-minded people who want to enjoy the scenery and the stories while your leader takes care of the navigation, safety, and pacing.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

To start our Snowdon walking weekend you’re welcome to arrive at our exclusive guest house from 5pm onwards, where your Large Outdoors host will be preparing dinner. You’ll meet our walking companions, settle down for the evening, and begin looking forward to the weekend!

After dinner - which will be served around 8pm - we’ll run through plans for the Snowdon walk the next day, while gazing out of the windows at views of the mountains of North Wales. Then the evening is yours to enjoy the comfy sofas and prepare yourself for the adventures ahead!

Day 2

Today is the day... it’s time to head out to Snowdon. The exact route we choose will depend on the weather forecast for the day, and our guide will consider this and let you know the evening before. Having this flexibility means we can get you the best side of the mountain considering where the weather is coming from!

Route options include:

Miners’ Track -  One of the most popular routes, the trail starts high on the mountain at Pen y Pass, winds its way into the atmospheric Cwm Glaslyn and past the tremendous crags of Crib Goch. After one steep zig-zag we reach the summit ridge and then the top. This is a great trail for the impressive rocky cliffs and lakes of Eastern Snowdon.

Watkin Path - Wandering up the south of Snowdon, this path begins in the Nant Gwynant valley through woodland, before heading up into Cwm Llan, past waterfalls and old mine workings. We then climb up to the Bwlch y Saethau, one of the mythical places King Arthur was killed, before the final ascent to the summit. This is a good route for Snowdon’s slate-mining history as well as seeing the wild Cwm Tregalan.

Ranger Path - The traditional way to the summit before Llanberis took over, the Ranger’s Path heads up the western side of the mountain. With the summit visible right from the start, this trail alternates between steep bits and gentle bits, leading to a more measured ascent than some of the shorter and sharper routes. A great trail for the quieter side of the mountain, and views of the western valleys.

Once we’re all safely down the mountain, it’s time to celebrate your achievement! We may head to a local pub, or back to the hostel. Your host will begin preparing dinner, and you can enjoy the evening with a drink or two, re-living your adventure with a big smile on your face now that you’ve succeeded!

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast it’s time to pack up and leave the accommodation. We organise a shorter walk on Sunday for those of you who want to stay around for it. This will be a pleasant stroll along the valley or around local woodland, and we’ll aim to finish walking around lunchtime.

Possible options include:

The Mawddach Estuary - This stunning stretch of wide sandy estuary with the Mawddach river at its heart is a protected area for salt marsh habitat and local woodlands, and there’s a great trail running up its southern side.

The woods of Betws-y-Coed - Spilling out over the great Conwy Valley, the forests that crowd the slopes above the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed have several walking trails in them, where we can admire the forested slopes and streams rushing down to the main river below.

Please note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. 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 - the cost for these journeys is not included.

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 some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. 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 - the cost for these journeys is not included.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • 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.

    • 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 Leisurely 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.

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

Book your Summit Snowdon Challenge Weekend