An Ultra Run Spanning 38 Miles, 24 Summits and 4,700 Meters of Climbing Along the Northeast-to-Southwest Skyline of Snowdonia National Park, from Conwy to Nebo.
This stunning skyline presents a fantastic challenge, and this blog provides all the information you'll need to give it a go. First devised and completed by Chris Wearne in May 2014 and accessible to view on GOFAR, read about how my buddy Jack Oliver and I took on the route a decade later, setting a new record time of 11 hours and 28 minutes.
The Snowdonia Skyline: The Ultimate Ultra-Run Challenge
If you're an ultra-runner looking for your next epic adventure, the Snowdonia Skyline should be on your radar. This remarkable route offers an exhilarating journey across one of the UK's most stunning landscapes, combining the thrill of endurance running and fantastic scrambling along with the breathtaking beauty of Snowdonia National Park.
What Is the Snowdonia Skyline?
The Snowdonia Skyline is a formidable ultra-run that spans 38 miles from Conwy to Nebo, tracing the dramatic northeast-to-southwest skyline of Snowdonia National Park. Along the way, you'll tackle 24 summits and ascend a staggering 4,700 meters (over 15,000 feet). This route is a true test of endurance, skill, and mental fortitude, offering a unique opportunity to experience the wild, rugged beauty of North Wales in a way few others have. The route was devised and first completed by Chris Wearne in an unsupported run taking 23 hours 56 minutes in May 2014 including a 3-hour bivvy on Foel Grach.
The Route: A Closer Look
The route begins at the National Park boundary in Conwy, a historic walled town on the north coast of Wales. From there, it heads straight into the heart of Snowdonia, following the skyline that links some of the region's most iconic peaks.
You'll traverse the full skyline of the Carneddau, a remote and wild range that offers spectacular views and a sense of isolation that's hard to find elsewhere in the UK. Then, it's on to the Glyderau, home to the famous Tryfan North Ridge and Bristly Ridge scrambles, which will test your technical climbing skills. The route continues through the Snowdon range, where you'll tackle Crib Goch, a knife-edge ridge that requires a head for heights. Finally, the journey ends with the Nantlle Ridge, a lesser-known but equally beautiful range that leads you down to Nebo, your finishing point.
Throughout the run, you'll need to navigate challenging terrain, including steep ascents and descents, rocky scrambles, and exposed ridges. The Snowdonia Skyline isn't just about physical endurance; it's about mental toughness, to keep pushing on to the National Park boundary in the southwest.
Key Highlights
The Carneddau Range: This vast, often overlooked range offers solitude and sweeping views. The feeling of being alone on these high, grassy plateaus is both humbling and inspiring.
Tryfan North Ridge and Bristly Ridge: These Grade 1 scrambles are highlights of the route. They offer a mix of hands-on climbing and stunning views that make the effort worthwhile.
Crib Goch: One of the most famous ridges in the UK, Crib Goch is not for the faint-hearted. This exposed, narrow ridge will test your nerves as much as your legs.
The Snowdon Range: Summiting Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, is a bucket-list achievement for any runner. The views from the top are unmatched, especially at sunrise or sunset.
The Nantlle Ridge: This lesser-known section of the route offers a peaceful and scenic conclusion to your journey, with fewer crowds and stunning vistas.
Planning Your Run
Given the length and difficulty of the Snowdonia Skyline, thorough preparation is essential. Here are some tips to help you plan your adventure:
Training: Build up your endurance and strength, focusing on hill running, technical scrambles, and long-distance stamina. The route's elevation gain is significant, so be prepared for sustained climbs and descents. I do offer ultra running coaching and with all my ultra running achievements and experience, I can help you train for events like the Snowdonia Skyline
Navigation: While the route follows a logical skyline, it's crucial to have strong navigation skills. The weather in Snowdonia can change rapidly, and visibility can drop without warning. Carry a map, compass, and GPS device, and know how to use them.
Gear: Pack light but ensure you have the essentials, including weatherproof clothing, a first-aid kit, and enough food and water to sustain you. Consider carrying a bivvy bag in case of emergencies. Being an ambassador for INOV8 for the past three years, their kit has never let me down and with being super lightweight too, is built for ultra running
Support: There are provisions at four key points along the route—Ogwen, Pen y Pass, Yr Wyddfa, and Rhyd Ddu—where you can restock supplies. However, many runners choose to complete the route unsupported for an added challenge, but the options are always there if needed.
Timing: Most runners aim to complete the Snowdonia Skyline in under 16 hours, but this will depend on your fitness level, the weather, and how much you stop to enjoy the views. Starting early in the morning or even running through the night can help you maximize daylight hours.
A Run to Remember
The Snowdonia Skyline is more than just a run; it's an adventure that will push you to your limits and reward you with some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK. Whether you're chasing a personal best or simply looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of Snowdonia, this route offers an unforgettable experience.
For those ready to take on the challenge, the Snowdonia Skyline is a must-do. Lace-up your fell shoes, pack your gear, and get ready to conquer one of the most spectacular ultra-runs the UK has to offer.
Taking on the Snowdonia Skyline: An Epic Day in the Hills
This run had been on my list for quite some time, but the opportunity to give it a go just never seemed to line up—until now. My friend Jack Oliver and I originally had plans to go climbing in Scotland for four days, but the unpredictable summer weather had other ideas. Instead of cancelling the trip entirely, we decided to challenge ourselves on the one sunny day sandwiched between bouts of wet weather by attempting the Snowdonia Skyline.
We arrived the night before and were treated to a spectacular sunset over the bay at Conwy, which only fueled our excitement for what lay ahead. The 5:00 am alarm came quickly, and after a quick breakfast, we found ourselves standing at the National Park boundary at the foot of Conwy Mountain, ready to tackle our first summit of the day. By 5:30 am, we were off at a steady pace, rewarded right away with stunning views of the sunrise to the east.
The first four hours took us across the Carneddau range, a stretch of rolling grassy ridges that offered some of the most runnable terrain on the entire route. We relished the opportunity to move quickly, taking in the sight of clouds rolling over the ridges and spotting the occasional Carneddau pony. The early morning coolness was a blessing, but as the day progressed, the heat started to kick in.
Our next major challenge was climbing out of Ogwen up Tryfan’s north ridge. The warm sunshine made the 600-meter ascent tough, but the exhilarating scrambling on this mountain more than made up for it. Reaching the summit of Tryfan was a highlight, and the rocky descent down the south ridge was followed by more thrilling scrambling up Bristly Ridge. This led us to the rugged plateaus of Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr, before we descended towards the bustling Pen Y Pass, where families and hikers were gearing up for their own Snowdon adventures.
By midday, the heat had become a real challenge, especially as we pushed uphill towards Crib Goch. This outrageous ridgeline offered spectacular views across Snowdonia National Park as we worked our way toward Crib-y-Ddysgl. After reaching the busy summit of Snowdon, we were happy to leave the crowds behind and run along the long ridgeline of Llechog toward Rhyd-Ddu, grateful for the chance to refill our water bottles from the streams on the way down.
The final stretch of the run took us over the Nantlle Ridge toward Nebo. It was just after 2:00 pm when we left Rhyd-Ddu and began the steep climb up Y Garn. Determined to push our pace, we dug deep to find every bit of energy we had left, hoping to finish in under 12 hours. We had both forgotten just how long the Nantlle Ridge was, but with seven tops and mostly runnable terrain, we managed to cover the ground efficiently. The views from the Nantlle Ridge were breathtaking, reminding us of the incredible distance we had covered and just how stunning this National Park truly is.
As we descended from the Ridge, we pushed as hard as we could, finally reaching the National Park boundary just outside Nebo with a new record time of 11 hours and 28 minutes, smashing the previous record of 15 hours and 43 minutes set by Dean Russell and Bertie Goffe. The route is fantastic, and we'd highly recommend it to any ultra-runner looking for a brilliant day in the hills. With 60 kilometres and 4,700 meters of ascent, it’s more than half of any of the UK’s 'Big Three' rounds. Whether you're training for the Bob Graham Round, Paddy Buckley Round, or Ramsay’s Round, or just looking to enjoy a spectacular day in Snowdonia, this run is the perfect challenge.
If you're aiming to boost your performance and need expert advice, knowledge, and experience in ultra-running, I'd be thrilled to help you unlock your full potential. With a track record of amazing results from athletes I've worked with, I'm excited to support you on your journey to success. Contact me at info@jamesgibsoncoaching.co.uk on www.jamesgibsoncoaching.co.uk and we can have a chat about helping you improve your performance.
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