Question 1

Day 1. Arrive Snowdonia

Answer

Your hotel is located in the colourful mountain village of Llanberis in Snowdonia National Park. Free car parking is available at the hotel or it is a 20 minute taxi journey from Bangor Train Station.

Question 2

Day 2. Bike. Trek. Kayak

Answer

Bike – approx 10 miles (220m ascent & 180m descent)
Trek – approx 9 miles (945m ascent & 1060m descent)
Kayak – approx 2.5 miles Following an early breakfast, we’ll meet at 8.30am in Llanberis and split into teams of no more than 10 people per team for your bike allocations and safety briefing. It’s then time to jump in the saddle to start pedalling a stunning route around Snowdonia National Park.

Your journey takes you along the shores of Llyn Padarn, through beautiful Welsh countryside and quaint villages with the peak of Snowdon looming in the distance.Arriving at the base of the mountain you’ll swap your bikes for boots, collect your homemade packed lunch and begin your ascent of the highest peak in Wales, the mighty Snowdon.

You’ll ascend via one of the more quieter routes, the Snowdon Ranger Trail on the west side of the mountain which carves its way through picturesque farmlands, past beautiful lakes and then follows the ridgeline all the way to the summit. On reaching the peak, there’s time for a victory photo and a quick breather before your descent to the northwest via the more gradual Llanberis Path, finishing in Llanberis itself.

The grand finale of the day will see you paddling around Llyn Padarn, completing a large circuit of the lake, to smash through the finish line and celebrate with a glass of bubbles with your fellow teammates. Challenge complete! All being well, you should finish around 4.00pm – 5.00pm

Question 3

Evening Prior information

Answer

We recommend arriving in Inverness the night prior to the start of your trip so you have the chance to meet the crew and your fellow adventurers and attend a trip briefing. This is at your own expense allowing you the flexibility to book and have dinner where you wish. More info will be provided when you sign up for the challenge. If you are arriving by train, a transfer can be arranged for you at a set time from Inverness station to the hotel if pre-booked prior to the event start date.

Question 4

Day 1. Bike and paddle

Answer

First leg: Bike approx. 45 miles Perched on a cliff overlooking the River Ness is Inverness Castle marking an impressive start to your adventure from the east coast of Scotland. Following a briefing and in your team accompanied by your tour Leader, your bike journey begins following the River Ness. Passing along the southern shores Loch Ness keep an eye out for the mysterious Nessie before your route winds its way and through the picturesque landscape of the Great Glen. You will arrive in Fort Augustus for lunch enjoying the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. Your afternoon continues with short 9-mile ride on a mixture of cycle paths and road continuing through the Great Glen. Ben Nevis will be looming in the distance before you arrive in Loch Lochy where you’ll change your bikes for boats.
Second leg: Canoe approx. 2 miles You will be kitted out with a double Canadian canoe, buoyancy aid and paddle and receive a full briefing prior to your canoe down the beautiful Laggan Corridor. This is a stunning sheltered section of the Caledonian Canal of which you will be accompanied by canoe guides. Following a full day of adventure you’ll overnight near the banks of the canal in a friendly Scottish Highland hostel.

Question 5

Day 3. Bike and trek

Answer

Third leg: Bike approx. 22 miles Following breakfast at the hostel from the self-catering kitchen, ensure you place your day-pack ready with your trekking kit and hiking boots in the support vehicle which will meet you at the finish of your cycling leg. It’s then time to jump back in the saddle of your bike and pedal 22 miles to reach the base of Ben Nevis.
Fourth and final leg: Trek Ben Nevis approx. 8.5 miles Swapping your bikes for boots, your ascent begins of the highest mountain in the UK, the mighty Ben Nevis, at 1,345 metres. Accompanied by your Mountain Leader the trek begins from Glen Nevis and follows The Mountain Track which is in fact the old access route to the now ruined Observatory and was designed as a rough bridle path for ponies. The track climbs steeply via several small zig-zags to the saddle by Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (known as the halfway lochan) at 570m, then ascends the remaining 700 metres up the stony west flank of Ben Nevis in a series of larger, but less steep, zig-zags that criss-cross the face of the mountain’s western side leading to the rocky summit plateau. The trek to the summit takes approximately 4 hours and involves 1,370m of ascent. Whilst standing on the highest point in the UK, the sense of achievement is huge as you take in the awe-inspiring views of the Scottish Highlands. There’s time for a photo snap of your epic achievement before the descent taking approximately 2.5 hours. All being well your challenge should be completed by 6pm. Please allow extra time if you are planning onward travel after the adventure.

Question 6

Evening Prior

Answer

Arrive in Caernarfon in North Wales to meet your group and mountain leader. Accommodation is in a simple local hotel

Question 7

Day 1. Pen Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn

Answer

After a traditional Welsh breakfast your trek will start in the Ogwen Valley. Trek along Llyn Ogwen, a shallow ribbon lake, and head towards the first peak. A scramble sees you summit Pen Ole Wen standing at 978ms - the seventh highest Welsh peak.Then head to the finest ridge walk in Snowdonia as your route continues northwards towards Carnedd Dafydd, the third highest peak in Wales at 1044 metres and then onto the dome-shaped plateau to summit Carnedd Llewelyn, the second highest peak by relative height in Wales at 1064 metres. This area is the largest expanse of uninhabited highland in England and Wales and the view of all the peaks of the Carneddau is spectacular, especially if covered in snow. Then its time to descend back to Ogwen and a warm fire back at the hotel. Trekking time: approx. 6 – 7 hours
Trekking distance: approx. 15km
Trekking ascent: 980m

Question 8

Day 2: Traverse Y Glyderau Range (3 Peaks)

Answer

3 peaks down and 4 to go! Today sees you cross one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Britain, Y Glyderau. Your route climbs steeply from the Olgwen valley floor into the Glyderau range. Following a dramatic ridgeline you’ll arrive at the summit of Y Garn at 947m, the tenth highest peak in Wales. Enjoy views of the previous days peaks of Pen Yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn and across to Tryfan and Snowdon in the distance. After a short descent you will climb to the summit of Glydyr Fawr 1001m, the highest peak in the Glyderau range. The route traverses the plateau to Glyderau with some of the most iconic features in Snowdonia including Castell Y Gwynt and the Cantilever Stone. Cross a boulder field to Glyder Fach at 994m, the final summit of the day! Trekking time: approx. 7 – 8 hours
Trekking distance: approx. 12km
Trekking ascent: 1061m

Question 9

Day 3: Snowdon range (1 Peak)

Answer

Today you will summit your final peak - Snowdon, the highest point in Wales, at 1085 metres. The route follows a rocky path that contours along the hillside before traversing below the famous ridgeline of Crib Goch and above the picturesque mountain lake of Llyn Llydaw. You’ll then make your way up to zig zags to the the crest of the ridge marked by a finger post, Bwlch Glas. If conditions permit, you’ll make your way along the ridgeline to the trig point marking the summit of Snowdon. Descent via the Miners Track to your starting point at Pen-y-Pass and celebrate conquering the seven summits of Wales. Trekking time: approx. 5 – 7 hours
Trekking distance: approx. 12km
Trekking ascent: 800m

Question 10