Paddy Buckley Round

Named after outdoor instructor Paddy Buckley, who devised the route in 1982, the Paddy Buckley Round is widely regarded as the hardest of the three classic UK mountain rounds — longer and more technical than the Bob Graham, with steeper, rougher terrain and fewer easy miles.

The route takes in the full range of Snowdonia's highest ground: the Snowdon horseshoe, the Glyderau, Tryfan, the Carneddau, the Moelwynion, the Rhinogydd fringe, Cnicht and more. It starts and finishes in Capel Curig, with road crossings at Pen-y-Pass, Ogwen, Bethesda and several remote points reachable by rough tracks.

The navigation is demanding throughout. Many sections cross pathless, heathery ground or steep cwm headwalls with no obvious line. The Rhinogydd section in particular — rough, bouldery, and rarely visited — is where many attempts slow or fail.

Fewer than 200 people had completed the round in its first three decades. Completion numbers have grown as fell running has expanded, but it remains a serious undertaking that demands extensive preparation and sound mountain judgement.

Unlike the Bob Graham, there is no official club — completions are logged informally within the fell running community. The traditional standard is 24 hours, but the route itself is the achievement regardless of time.

The round is usually split into five legs from Capel Curig. The exact line varies by individual choice and conditions.

Leg 1 — Capel Curig to Pen-y-Pass: Moel Siabod, then across to the Snowdon group — Yr Wyddfa, Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl. Technically demanding from the start. The Crib Goch ridge requires care in wind or wet.

Leg 2 — Pen-y-Pass to Ogwen: The Glyderau — Elidir Fawr, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Tryfan. Tryfan's north ridge in descent is slow and technical. Budget time here.

Leg 3 — Ogwen to Bethesda: The Carneddau — Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen, Foel Grach, Garnedd Uchaf, Foel-fras. Easier running but exposed in bad weather.

Leg 4 — the Moelwynion and Cnicht: Moel-yr-hydd, Moelwyn Mawr, Moelwyn Bach, Cnicht. Remote, rougher ground, longer between checkpoints.

Leg 5 — the Rhinogydd and return: The roughest leg. Ysgafell Wen, Moel Druman, Allt-fawr, then back north to Capel Curig. This is where the round is won or lost.

Start and finish at Capel Curig village (the Plas y Brenin car park is a common meeting point). The A5 corridor gives good vehicle access to most support points.

Public transport is limited. The Snowdon Sherpa bus (S2) runs along the A5 and up to Pen-y-Pass seasonally — useful for supporters. Most attempt crews use multiple vehicles.

Accommodation in Capel Curig is limited: Plas y Brenin (mountain centre), a few B&Bs and the Bryn Tyrch Inn. Llanberis (10 km) has more options and is used by many support crews for overnight.

Best time: May to September. The Rhinogydd section is particularly serious in winter. June gives the longest daylight for attempts spanning dusk and dawn.