Snowdon Sunrise Challenge Weekend - Summer Solstice Special
Celebrate the Summer Solstice from Snowdon’s summit: Welcome the longest day of the year with a guided night ascent to watch the sunrise over Snowdonia’s rugged peaks, followed by a weekend of relaxed walking and exploration.
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Group Size: Maximum 20
Level: Active Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Summit Snowdon at dawn on the solstice: Experience the unique magic of the summer solstice from the highest point in Wales.
Enjoy a fully guided adventure: Relax with meals, accommodation, and expert guidance, ensuring a safe and memorable experience.
Explore Snowdonia’s landscapes: Take in iconic views with additional walks through valleys, lakes, and woodlands.
Book today…
Welcome a new day from the summit of the highest mountain in Wales.
Join Large Outdoors for a truly special weekend as we celebrate the Summer Solstice with an unforgettable sunrise ascent of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). This challenge combines the thrill of reaching Wales’s highest peak with the timeless appeal of watching dawn break on the longest day of the year. With Snowdonia’s sweeping landscapes as your backdrop, witness the first light spreading over mountains, valleys, and lakes, creating an extraordinary start to the day.
Sit back and enjoy the Snowdon Sunrise
Guided by Large Outdoors mountain leaders, you’ll trek up Snowdon’s Llanberis Path through the quiet of the early morning, taking in starlit skies and the peaceful surroundings. Once at the summit, share the solstice moment with your fellow walkers, marking the turning point of the year in a setting of natural beauty.
Between the main challenge and additional guided walks, there’s plenty of time to unwind, explore, and make the most of Snowdonia’s diverse scenery from a comfortable base.
This event also presents a fantastic opportunity for a personal challenge or a chance to fundraise for a cause close to your heart. Taking on Snowdon at sunrise on the longest day of the year is a unique way to mark a personal milestone or support a charity, all while surrounded by the inspiring landscape of Snowdonia.
The Sunrise from Snowdon looking over the Pyg & Miners track
Suggested Itinerary - Summer Solstice Special
Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!
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Arrive in Llanberis and settle into our accommodation, where you’ll meet the group and share an early dinner at 7 pm. Your host will brief you on the night’s ascent, answering any questions and preparing everyone for the journey ahead. Then, take time to rest and get ready for the early start.
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As midnight approaches, we’ll have a light breakfast before setting off for Snowdon via the Llanberis Path. This steady, accessible route offers a gradual ascent, allowing us to reach the summit in time to watch dawn break over Snowdonia. With our expert guides leading the way, you’ll be well-supported throughout the walk as we join fellow walkers making the climb to mark this special solstice moment.
Reaching the summit as the solstice sunrise begins, we’ll take time to reflect and enjoy the view as the light spreads over Snowdonia’s wild terrain. Following this magical moment, we’ll descend and return to the accommodation for breakfast and a well-deserved rest. After some downtime and lunch, we’ll regroup for a shorter, scenic afternoon walk in Snowdonia, offering a chance to explore further while soaking in the atmosphere of the solstice weekend. We’ll round off the day with dinner and the chance to relax and reflect on the day’s experiences.
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After breakfast, we’ll pack up and set off for one last gentle walk to explore another corner of Snowdonia. This relaxed walk provides a final chance to soak in the national park’s beauty before we say our goodbyes. You’ll leave with lasting memories of the solstice sunrise and the accomplishment of summiting Snowdon on the longest day of the year, making this a weekend to remember.
Note: Some activities may require a short drive. Car sharing is encouraged for those without transport.
Taking in the Sunrise from Snowdon
The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year, when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. Occurring annually around 21st June, this event has been celebrated across cultures for thousands of years, symbolising light, growth, and renewal. For many, it’s a powerful moment to connect with nature and reflect, as the solstice represents a turning point, shifting the year from the increasing daylight of spring to the gentle progression toward autumn.
In 2025, the summer solstice will occur at 3:41 am on Saturday, 21st June. In Snowdonia, witnessing the solstice sunrise from the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) offers a remarkable way to honour this event. As the first rays of sunlight spread across the rugged landscape, you’ll be part of a unique experience that has inspired reverence and wonder for centuries.
Dol Peris provides the comfortable accommodation for this weekend…
Essential Information
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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 7pm 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 4HAwhat3words///according.unlisted.question
Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation.
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 Days 2 & 3 there could be a short drive to the start of the walk, we don't include transport and people normally car share.
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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 4HARoom 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).
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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.
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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.
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• 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.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.