The Three Peaks Challenge & UK Mountain Challenges

Welcome to our UK 3 Peaks Challenge and UK Mountain Challenges information website.

Many mountain, adventure and triple peak challenges exist in the UK, and one of the toughest and most popular is the National Three Peaks Challenge of Snowdon (Snowdonia - Wales), Scafell Pike (Lake District - Cumbria) and Ben Nevis (Highland - Scotland). Many groups will attempt the Three Peaks Challenge for charity, and often try to climb each peak within a 24 hour period.

This demanding Peak Challenge involves a total climb of around 10,000 feet, 24 miles walking, and 450 miles of driving - all in one day. Three Peaks Challenge teams have been known to raise over Ł100,000 from a single 3 Peak Challenge event, and each year charities organise Three Peaks Challenge events open to charity fundraising teams.

For most challenge teams, the trek begins at Fort William, climbing Ben Nevis from Glen Nevis on the Mountain Track, before the long drive to either Wasdale or Seathwaite in the English Lake District - to climb and descend Scafell Pike. Often Scafell Pike (not to be confused with Scafell) is climbed in the dark, where walkers often face difficult navigation and can fall behind schedule, making a 24 hour Three Peaks Challenge seem less likely. However, a continuous 3 Peaks Challenge is still possible..! From Scafell Pike, walkers drive to their final mountain peak - Snowdon, in north Wales and the heart of Snowdonia.

Three Peaks Challenge Details:

Most Three Peak Challenges will start in Scotland, then head south. Ben Nevis is the largest and longest of the peaks, and Snowdon the shortest. North Wales is also closer to home for most people, leaving a shorter drive at the end of the Three Peaks. Below is a Scottish start!

START: Most popular is the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, which offers easiest parking, as well as toilets and facilities. Alternative start locations are the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, or Achintee Farm, from the Ben Nevis Inn.

BEN NEVIS: The challenge of Ben Nevis is possibly the longest walk and highest climb you will encounter out of all of the three peaks. Starting at just a few metres above sea level, you will climb around 4,400 feet, over a distance of 5 miles. You should aim to complete this peak within around 5 hours to complete the challenge within 24 hours.

SCAFELL PIKE: Most challenge events will tackle Scafell Pike from Wasdale, although others will ascend and descend via the Corridor Route from Seathwaite. Often this part of the challenge will be undertaken in the dark, in around 4 hours or so, and navigation can be very difficult. Visiting the area before your challenge, or taking part in a training day is recommended. Scafell Pike is best approached via Lingmel Col.

SNOWDON: Arrive at Pen-Y-Pass to climb either the Miners Track, or Pyg Track on your final peak! From the summit of Snowdon, descend into Llanberis via the footpath close to the Snowdon Mountain Railway. To complete your Three Peaks Challenge in less than 24 hours, you should aim to climb this peak in 4 hours or less.

DRIVING: It is very important that you have a dedicated driver that won't be taking part in any of the walking or climbing. A full description of the recommended driving route can be downloaded/printed from here.

Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

The highest three mountains in the Yorkshire Dales provide our next mountain challenge. Starting and finishing at Horton-In-Ribblesdale, and taking in Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, this 24 mile route is usually attempted over a 12 hour period. This challenge makes excellent training for the national Three Peaks Challenge.

START/FINISH: All challenges will start and finish at Horton-In
-Ribblesdale for this circular walk. Horton has quite good facilities for the challenge walker considering the small size of the village. It also boasts the famous time-keeping/safety system at the Pen-Y-Ghent Cafe.

PEN-Y-GHENT: Pen-Y-Ghent

WHERNSIDE: Whernside

INGLEBOROUGH: Ingleborough