THE SNOWDONIA CHALLENGE - 25TH June 2022

the snowdonia challenge 2022

Pull together a team of four fearless challengers and join us this summer for our epic, three-activity team event. 

Experience the beautiful Snowdonia National Park on this amazing one-day team event, cycling 40 miles, summitting Snowdon and canoeing Llyn Gwynant.

Kicking off from our event base in Llanberis in the heart of Snowdonia, with a 20-mile cycle along gorgeous country roads, you’ll swap your bikes for boots at the foot of Snowdon to trek the tallest mountain in England and Wales. After a few happy snaps and some spectacular panoramas at the top, it’s back down you go to meet your bikes at the bottom.

Once at Snowdon's foot, you can revive your energy with some refreshments, before getting back into your cycling gear and into the saddle for a ten mile stretch to the shore of Llyn Gwynant.

Here, you meet your Canadian canoes and conquer a course on the lake. There’s no need for canoeing experience or equipment, as we provide everything you need, including experienced canoeing guides ready to help you out at the drop of a paddle.

Back on land, it’s time for your triumphant 10-mile pedal to the finish line.

faqs

the snowdonia challenge 2022

The Snowdonia Challenge is open to all fitness levels, providing you train beforehand. Your team will cycle and trek a large distance in one day, so please be prepared for this.

The more you train, the more you will enjoy the challenge. It is a great incentive to train and get fit, whilst at the same time knowing you are raising funds for the cause closest to your heart.

No canoeing experience is needed for the challenge. We will have qualified instructors at the lake, who will give all teams a briefing before you get into your boats. A team of first-aid trained challenge guides will always be at hand.

The majority of the 40 miles cycling is on road. There is one off road section, which is an old coach road. The old coach road is a stone-strewn rough track, which goes on for approx 2.5 miles and is steep.

Your equipment for climbing Snowdon is transported to the mountain check in point so it is waiting for you when you finish the first cycle leg. It is then transported back to the finish line once the final team leaves the mountain check in base.

We would recommend a hybrid bike for the challenge. We have however had teams take part on road bikes before who have carried them on some parts of the 2.5-mile off road section. A mountain bike would of course be fine too.

Canoe experience is not necessary for this challenge. Your team of four will use two Canadian style canoes, which are tied together to form a raft. The canoes, paddles and buoyancy aids are provided.

It is essential that you come prepared with the correct equipment for the challenge.

A cycling helmet is essential and we insist that you have walking boots or fell running shoes for the hiking element of the challenge.

Trainers are not allowed. You must also have a map, compass and appropriate waterproof clothing.

Don't worry if you haven't confirmed your team of four people yet, you can register now to secure your place and then send us details of your other team members as soon as they are confirmed.

Your registration fee of £195 per team is used to administer the challenge.

Your challenge costs of £700 per team cover:

Full event support, including fundraising advice and sponsor forms, route cards and equipment lists.

Qualified event marshals

First aid support

Certificates

Medals

Trophies for winning teams

T-shirts

Post event refreshments

Canoeing equipment hire

Next

day 1 | friday

compulsory challenge briefing

Our challenge begins with registration at our event base in Llanberis on Friday evening from 5pm, followed by a compulsory safety and challenge briefing at 8pm, where your epic team charity challenge is explained in full and you have the chance to ask questions and meet other teams. We recommend you get an early night as you’ll be up at the #CENSOR# of dawn tomorrow!

day 2 | saturday

challenge day | ready, set, race!

Rise and shine to challenge day! You start your three-activity event with a twenty-mile cycle. Meeting at our starting line in Llanberis, the heart of Snowdonia, we set you off in your teams in one-minute intervals and then you tackle a charming, clearly-marked route on A or B-class country roads.

There's no need to worry about getting lost, as we'll have lots of clear sign posts as well as marshalls to guide you along the way. Be prepared for some steep climbs, though: it is Snowdonia after all!

Coming to the end of your cycle, you'll see our Dream Team waiting with your trekking gear at the foot of Snowdon.

Here, you swap your bikes for boots (or fell running shoes) and we'll look after your cycling gear as you trek the tallest mountain in England and Wales via the Rhyd Ddu path. This will reward you with some wonderful views from the top and keep your fingers crossed for a clear day, so you can spot Ireland across the sea.

Then it's back down you go to meet us and your bikes at the bottom, ready to take on your second cycling stretch. You'll be pleased to know this is half as long as the first and after ten miles, you'll dismount at Llyn Gwynant. 

Oh buoy! You know what this means? It's time for the canoeing section! No canoeing experience is needed and we provide all equipment, including life vests and two Canadian-style canoes per team, rafted together to keep you together. We recommend you bring a change of (waterproof) clothes for this section.

Our experienced canoeing guides will give you a short briefing, before you tackle a buoy-marked course on the pretty, fresh-water lake.

Arriving on dry land, you've got one final pedal to the finish-line. 

This ten-mile push will have you climbing Pen y Pass and then it's all down-hill. Your team will end the day with a hair-raising descent down to the finish line at Llanberis.