4 Lesser-Known UK Charity Challenges
If you’re interested in outdoor charity challenges or looking to raise money for a good cause by getting active, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the National Three Peaks Challenge. You may even have read about it on this site. It’s the big one. The best-known and most popular mountain challenge in the UK. But biggest isn’t always best.
At Climb Snowdon, we know of a whole host of smaller and lesser-known challenges perfectly suited to charity fundraising. And, to put it bluntly, they’re all a lot better than the National Three Peaks. They’re more fun, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, and don’t involve spending upwards of ten hours of your day on the motorway.
With this in mind, we created a guide to four of the best lesser-known charity challenges in and around Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Eryri (Snowdonia).
Snowdon 6
- Circular: Starting/ending in the village of Llanberis
- Distance: 39 km / 24 miles (round trip)
- Total Ascent: 2633 metres / 8639 feet
Overview
If summiting Yr Wyddfa doesn’t sound like enough of a challenge, how about you do it three times in one day? The incredible Snowdon 6 Challenge sees you explore all six of the main Yr Wyddfa paths, heading up and down three times for the most comprehensive account of the mountain you’re ever likely to get. If you want an experience that is physically tough, or you like the idea of seeing Yr Wyddfa from every angle, this is the challenge for you.
Route
The challenge starts and finishes at Llanberis village, with a short transfer to the start point in Nant Gwynant. On your first ascent, your group will hike up the spectacular Watkin Path, the longest and oldest public right of way on Yr Wyddfa, before turning around and coming down via the historic Miners Track. Here, you will enjoy remarkable views of the Snowdon Horseshoe including Y Lliwedd, Yr Wyddfa, Garnedd Ugain and Crib Goch.
Having completed the first of three summits, we refuel at Pen Y Pass before climbing the rugged PYG Track back to the summit. With gorgeous views back down the valley and over Llyn Peris and Llyn Padarn lakes, there’s plenty of inspiration to keep you going. The second descent is via the more secluded and peaceful Rhyd Ddu path.
Another quick refuel is in order before we head up Ranger Path on our final climb to the summit. It’s back down the ever-popular Llanberis Path for the last leg of the challenge, enabling us to finish in the village with a refreshing beverage and some well-earned grub!
As with all Climb Snowdon challenges, qualified Mountain Leaders will guide your group to help with navigation, provide technical advice, offer support the entire way and of course make sure you keep a good pace. Our leaders are also a font of local knowledge and can provide insights into the area’s history, geology and unique character.
Who is it for?
The Snowdon 6 is ideal for groups of around 12 or more. Participants should have a good level of fitness, as this is a long day out on the paths. There’s no scrambling involved in the route, so this isn’t a particularly technical challenge. However, it does take you over rocky and uneven terrain, so confidence and experience moving through mountain environments will help. The big thing here is muscular and cardiovascular fitness. You can build up to the challenge by heading out for long multi-hour walks on the weekend, jogging a few times a week, and doing a little strength training in the gym or at home.
Find out more and book your challenge »
Snowdon 360
- Circular: Starting/ending in the village of Llanberis
- Distance: 48 km / 29 miles (round trip)
- Total Ascent: 2250 metres / 7381 feet
Overview
Climb a mountain and walk a marathon in the same day? Another one for the completionists out there, the enormously enjoyable Snowdon 360 Challenge takes you on a full circumnavigation of Yr Wyddfa. Starting and finishing in Llanberis, your group will experience Yr Wyddfa from every angle, exploring its secret cwms and following several lesser-known paths as you immerse yourself in the region’s breathtaking landscapes and remarkable natural wealth.
Route
From Llanberis, you’ll begin the challenge by ascending to Yr Wyddfa’s summit. That should get the blood pumping and the legs warmed up! Having taken in the gorgeous views over the coast and Eryri (as long as the weather plays nice), we head down to Pen Y Pass, where we can briefly rest up and refuel.
With your break over, we’ll begin circumnavigating the mountain, heading past the old copper mines on our way to historic Beddgelert, home of the faithful but unfortunate hound who gives the village its name. Finally, we join the epic Snowdonia Slate Trail and work our way back to Llanberis.
Blending incredible natural beauty with a rewarding insight into the region’s human history, this challenge has a little bit of something for everyone. The Snowdon 360 Challenge in particular is a good demonstration of the value of walking with a knowledgeable guide. With so much to see and a lot of history and mythology to enjoy, the local expertise our guides contribute really enhances the experience.
Who’s it for?
The Snowdon 360 is also a great option for groups of around 12 or more. Though it may seem like this isn’t as tough as the Snowdon 6, the route contains almost as much altitude gain and is a pretty hefty 10 km longer. As such, it calls for a good level of physical fitness and endurance.
We recommend getting some regular cardiovascular exercise into your schedule and trying to walk, run, swim, or cycle up to five times a week before taking on this challenge. As it’s a single-day event, you won’t be carrying too heavy a load. However, attempting some longer hikes with a well-stocked rucksack in preparation is a good idea and will help you get a more accurate feel for the physical demands the challenge places on your body.
Find out more and book your challenge »
Snowdon Sea to Summit
- Circular: From Caernarfon Castle to Llanberis (Dolbadarn) Castle
- Distance: 30 km / 19 miles (round trip)
- Total Ascent: 1370 metres / 4495 feet
Overview
So far, we’ve looked at circular routes that see you start and finish in the same location. Now for something a little different. The Snowdon Sea to Summit Challenge takes you from Caernarfon Castle on the North Walian coast to the summit of Yr Wyddfa and then to your final destination, the atmospheric 12th-century Dolbadarn Castle in Llanberis. So, while it’s certainly a sea-to-summit route, it’s also one of Wales’s many castle-to-castle routes. An ideal option for those groups who want to cover a wider range of landscapes and travel 30 km in a straight line (more or less), this challenge is rich with history and unforgettable vistas.
Route
From 700-year-old Caernarfon Castle – one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages – we’ll explore the beautiful surrounding lowlands, taking in the Welsh Highland Railway and the magnificent Snowdonia Slate Trail. On reaching the Snowdon massif, we head up to Bwlch Maesgwm and take the Ranger path all the way to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Our journey ends at the stronghold of Dolbadarn Castle, which commands stunning views of Llyn Padarn and the Llanberis Pass, parts of which we’ve taken to help build Caernarfon Castle!.
You’ll be guided by one of our qualified, local mountain leaders, who’ll provide unique insights into the area’s history, geology, and natural beauty, leaving you free to immerse yourself in the landscape, without worrying about navigation or route planning.
Who’s it for?
We recommend the Snowdon Sea to Summit for groups of 12 or more. Though it features the least amount of altitude gain, it is still a long day out and participants should be comfortable sustaining several hours of activity over sometimes steep terrain. In our opinion, this is a great option if you want to rein in the physical challenge a little and focus more on the culture and history of the landscapes you’re moving through. As always, you’ll benefit from the insights and expertise of a qualified mountain leader along the way.
Find out more and book your challenge »
Snowdon Skyline
- Circular: Starting/ending in the village of Llanberis
- Distance: 22 km / 13 miles (round trip)
- Total Ascent: 2250 metres / 7381 feet
Overview
If you like the sound of the physical challenge of summiting multiple times but don’t want to take on Yr Wyddfa three times (as in the Snowdon 6), we’ve got just the adventure for you. The Snowdon Skyline Challenge is an exhilarating excursion that sees you roaming the Snowdon massif and hitting five unique summits along the way – Moel Eilio, Foel Gron, Foel Goch, Moel Cynghorion and Yr Wyddfa itself. It’s a truly brilliant way to explore the wider Eryri area and give Yr Wyddfa a little more context by walking the mountains and landscapes that surround it.
Route
Starting in Llanberis, you’ll first head up the slopes of Moel Eilio, a particular favourite among local walkers. Foel Gron and Foel Goch follow in quick succession, bringing you ever closer to the imposing summit of Yr Wyddfa. Next, it’s on to Moel Cynghorion, an ancient meeting place where community elders gathered to discuss political matters and how best to defend the local area from invaders.
Finally, you’ll join the Ranger path and make your way up Yr Wyddfa, the final peak on your five-strong itinerary. After celebrating your achievement with the wonderful views from the top, you’ll make your way back down to the village, following the Llanberis Path and the famous Snowdon Mountain Railway to the end of the challenge.
Who’s it for?
The Snowdon Skyline Challenge takes in more peaks, so is best suited to those with at least some experience walking in the mountains. That said, it features some of the most impressive views of Eryri you’ll find on any mountain challenge and guarantees a real sense of achievement on completion. Again, committing to cardiovascular and strength training in the run-up to the challenge will enhance your enjoyment and give you the best possible chance of making it through.
Find out more and book your challenge »
Bespoke Challenges
At Climb Snowdon, we also help organise bespoke charity challenges for groups that have a big idea and just need a little help and guidance pulling it off. Whether you want to adapt one of our existing challenges or you have something entirely new up your sleeve, our local knowledge and mountain expertise are invaluable for planning and execution.
For bespoke challenges, the best thing to do is get in touch and have a chat about your ideas. We’ll quickly be able to establish whether it’s feasible and what you need to make it work. We can then start bringing your dream challenge to fruition.
Charity challenges in other mountain regions
If you’re looking for charity challenges and fundraising opportunities outside of Wales, our sister companies may be able to help. Climb Ben Nevis is perfectly equipped to help you with any challenge around the UK’s highest mountain or a little further afield in the Scottish Highlands. Similarly, Climb Scafell Pike is your go-to organisation for charity challenges in the Lake District. We operate both businesses, so you know they run to the same high standards as Climb Snowdon. However, we always use local qualified mountain leaders who know the terrain and are best placed to deliver the kind of experience you want.
UK Charity Challenges with Climb Snowdon
The Climb Snowdon team benefits from extensive experience organising and executing charity challenges. We’ve been doing it for years and, in the process, helped raise a significant amount of money for charities. Whether you’re interested in one of the lesser-known challenges detailed in this guide or have an idea for a bespoke challenge, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch and we’ll get the ball rolling.