Carneddau 3000s
The Carneddau 3000s visits all four Welsh 3000-foot summits in the Carneddau range — Carnedd Llewelyn, Carnedd Dafydd, Pen yr Ole Wen and Foel Grach — in a 32 km circuit above Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Carneddau 3000s
The Carneddau form the largest area of high ground above 900 m in Wales — a vast, rolling plateau north of the Ogwen valley that stretches to the North Wales coast. The range contains four of the fifteen Welsh 3000-foot summits and the Carneddau section of the Welsh 3000s challenge.
Done as a standalone circuit, the Carneddau 3000s is a 32 km round from Ogwen taking in Pen yr Ole Wen (978 m), Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 m), Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064 m) and Foel Grach (976 m). The plateau is navigationally demanding in mist — its featureless character fools many navigators.
The route
From Ogwen car park: steep ascent of Pen yr Ole Wen's south ridge. North to Carnedd Dafydd and the plateau. East to Carnedd Llewelyn and north to Foel Grach. Return south via the Cwm Llafar or the Afon Lloer route.
Getting there & logistics
Base: Ogwen Valley. Bus from Bethesda and Bangor (year-round, summer more frequent).
Best time: April to November. The Carneddau plateau carries snow late in the year.
Safety
The Carneddau plateau is genuinely featureless in mist — compass navigation essential. Corniced in winter. In an emergency: call 999 or 112, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue. Ogwen Valley MRT. Pre-register SMS 999.
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