Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Sunrise Challenge: Guided Walk
Summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) at sunrise with a Large Outdoors guide and a sociable group of walkers for a rewarding and unforgettable walking challenge.
Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 9 miles (14.5km)
Duration: Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours
Level: Active Plus (see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here)
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Please Note: The exact time to meet will change throughout the year, based on sunrise times, but you’ll be meeting in the early hours of the date you book (between 00:30am and 03:00am).
In a Nutshell:
Summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) at sunrise: Enjoy a guided night-time walk to witness the first light from Wales' highest peak.
Guided by experienced leaders: Walk under the stars with the reassurance of expert Large Outdoors guides.
Ideal for a bucket list or charity challenge: Achieve a personal goal or fundraise for a cause close to your heart.
Experience Eryri (Snowdonia) in a new light: Discover the tranquillity and beauty of the National Park in the early hours.
Sociable group adventure: Share the experience with like-minded walkers, creating unforgettable memories together.
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Fancy this as your charity challenge?
Experience the Magic of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) at Sunrise: A Bucket List Adventure and Charity Challenge
Join Large Outdoors for the Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Sunrise Challenge, a unique opportunity to ascend Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) during the night and witness the sunrise from Wales' highest peak. This guided walk not only offers the chance to tick off a personal bucket list item but also serves as an inspiring charity challenge. Walking under the stars, you'll experience the serene beauty of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in a whole new light. Our experienced guides ensure a safe and enjoyable journey, allowing you to focus on the experience and the cause you're supporting.
Suggested Itinerary
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!
You’ll meet your Large Outdoors guide in Llanberis in the early hours of your chosen date (between 00:30am and 03:00am), depending on sunrise times. This is the starting point for your walking challenge, where you’ll join fellow participants on this bucket list adventure. Before setting off, your guide will check that everyone’s head torches are ready to light the way (an essential – see Compulsory Kit List below).
The group will take the Llanberis Path, the most gradual of the six main routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). This well-trodden path is ideal for a group walk, allowing you to move at a safe and sociable pace under the guidance of an experienced leader. As you ascend through the darkness of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve, you’ll marvel at the night sky sprinkled with stars (clouds permitting!). The peace and quiet of the surroundings make it a truly reflective experience, whether you’re undertaking this as a personal goal or a charity challenge.
Reaching the summit just as dawn breaks, you’ll experience the magic of sunrise at 1,085m (3,560ft), as the sun slowly illuminates the surrounding mountains, valleys, and lakes. This is a moment to celebrate – whether by snapping photos of the stunning vistas, enjoying a flask of coffee, or simply soaking in the accomplishment of ticking off this bucket list experience. It’s also a meaningful way to mark a personal milestone or create unforgettable memories with family and friends. For the romantics, it’s even an ideal setting for a special proposal!
Once the sun has risen, the group will begin the descent together, retracing the Llanberis Path. The daylight offers new perspectives of the route, with views across the stunning Eryri landscape. As you descend, the sense of achievement will sink in, knowing you’ve completed an inspiring group walking challenge. Most groups finish the experience in 6-8 hours, returning to Llanberis with memories to treasure.
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: The exact time to meet will change, based on sunrise times, throughout the year - but you’ll be meeting in the early hours of the date you book (between 00:30am and 03:00am). Please check your email confirmation upon booking for your meeting time.
Meeting Location:
Llanberis Interchange (Bus Stop) *
Llanberis
LL55 4TY* Llanberis Interchange is a set of bus stops located off the A4086, adjacent to Llanberis Community Centre (Y Ganolfan). See our exact meeting location here (view in Satellite mode).
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Parking: There is a pay-and-display car park at Llanberis Community Centre, and others nearby, including Ger Y Llyn (Lakeside) Car Park and Electric Mountain Car Park. These are located off the A4086, along the south side of Llyn (Lake) Padarn.
Public Transport: Llanberis is located 10.6 miles from Bangor Train Station, with services to/from Holyhead and Crewe. Bus services are available to/from Bangor. Timetables and meeting time means an overnight stay is generally required if using public transport.
Finish Time: Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours.
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Included:
A Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your walk.
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.
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 General (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.
DON’T FORGET:
To bring your head torch - you will not be allowed to start the walk if you don’t have a working head torch with you.
Warm clothes (layers advised) - please remember on the mountain at night it can be significantly colder than during the daytime. Even during the summer months, a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, plus warm layers, hat and gloves are compulsory kit for this experience. It can be 20C in the daytime but hovering around freezing at night on the summit.
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“The experience itself was amazing but the good connections with other attendees really made the trip. Had a real laugh with the group and that extends to our guide, who was great!” Craig, February 2021
“I loved the beautiful views and the sense of achievement. The guides were lovely and very knowledgeable.” Katy, May 2021
“Very well organised and our guides were really excellent. The experience was very relaxed and inclusive.” Laura, July 2021
“The whole experience was fantastic. Our guide was super helpful, he understood the groups abilities straight away and ensured that everyone was able to manage the walk and enjoy it. We had perfect weather too!” Michelle, July 2021
“I love achieving a challenge! Really appreciate that I felt comfortable to attend on my own. The guides made me feel really welcome and are incredibly supportive and encouraging. It's well organised, feel like you are in safe hands.” Verified participant, August 2021
“A really friendly, welcoming atmosphere. We were kept safe, educated about things around us, and we had a good laugh too!” Stephen, April 2022
“I enjoyed it very much. I thought David (guide) was very nice, he was patient kind and made an effort to speak with everyone. He took it steady and was informative and knowledgable.” Sam, June 2023
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What level of fitness is needed? This trip is rated as Active Plus and you certainly need to be capable of managing ascent and descent - you’ll be summiting Wales’ highest mountain after all! You’ll be walking around 9 miles (14.5 km) on the day, so ensure your training walks are an appropriate length and don’t forget to include some hills!
Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.Is there a time limit? We generally allow up to 8 hours to complete the walk (up to the summit and back to the meeting location), which is adequate for the majority of participants. Our guides do their very best to accommodate the speed of the group they are leading, whilst providing the encouragement needed to complete the challenge. Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours.
Can I buy food/drink on the walk? There are no stops for water refills or food along the route, so you should bring sufficient water (at least 2-3 litres per person) and plenty of food. Please note that Hafod Eryri – the summit building - will not be open at the time of this sunrise experience.
Is there a toilet? There are usually public toilets available near the meeting location. Please note that Hafod Eryri – the summit building - will not be open at the time of this sunrise walk.
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.
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 activity and any additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.