The National Three Peaks Challenge is one of the most popular hiking challenges in the UK. It’s often the focus of many UK charity fundraising projects and can be a massively rewarding challenge for complete beginners and experienced hikers alike. This article will tell you everything you need to know about it!
So, let’s start with the basics…
What is the National Three Peaks Challenge?
The National Three Peaks Challenge is a very tough hiking challenge that involves climbing the highest peaks of Scotland, England, and Wales within 24 hours. The total hiking distance is 23 miles (37km) and includes a total ascent of 3,064 metres (10,052ft). That’s twice the ascent of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, over a similar total walking distance!
What’s more though, it also involves a painstaking 11 hours of driving to transfer between mountains, making the challenge all the more difficult!
Which are the Highest Peaks in the UK ?
The three mountains involved in the 3 Peaks Challenge are none other than the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales:
- Scafell Pike in England – 978m / 3,209 ft.
- Ben Nevis in Scotland – 1,345m / 4,409ft.
- Snowdon in Wales – 1,085m / 3,560 ft.
The 3 Peaks Challenge in 24 Hours - Timings & Schedules
There are several different ways of completing the 3 Peaks Challenge, but to reach all three mountain summits in 24 hours, you’ll have to be extremely efficient and have a well planned route. Here’s an idea of what a Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hrs itinerary might look like:
Itinerary 1 - Hiking in Daylight
This is probably the most common schedule for the Three Peaks Challenge as it involves hiking entirely in daylight. The hike starts with Ben Nevis in the evening, driving six hours in the dark (which is a good chance for a snooze) and then climbing Scafell Pike early morning before completing the challenge on Snowdon later afternoon.
- 5pm – 10pm: Climb Ben Nevis (5 hrs).
- 10pm – 4am: Drive from Ben Nevis to Scafell Pike (6 hrs).
- 4am – 8am: Climb Scafell Pike (4 hrs).
- 8am – 1pm: Drive from Scafell Pike to Snowdon (5 hrs).
- 1pm – 5pm: Climb Snowdon and complete the challenge (4 hrs).
Itinerary 2 - Snowdon Summit at Sunrise
This option feels much more like a long day as opposed to 24 hours across two days. It involves getting an early start on Ben Nevis, transferring early afternoon and climbing Scafell Pike in the evening before completing the trio with a beautiful Sunrise on Snowdon.
- 6am – 11am: Climb Ben Nevis (5 hrs).
- 11am – 5pm: Drive from Ben Nevis to Scafell Pike (6 hrs).
- 5pm – 9pm: Climb Scafell Pike (4 hrs).
- 9pm – 2am: Drive from Scafell Pike to Snowdon (5 hrs).
- 2am – 6am: Climb Snowdon and complete the challenge (4 hrs).
Itinerary 3 - Scafell Pike in the Dark
This is perhaps my least favourite option as it involves hiking Scafell Pike entirely in the dark. That being said, it’s a good option if you’re wanting to avoid traffic on the mountain as Scafell Pike in particular can get pretty busy during the summer months.
- 12pm – 5pm: Climb Ben Nevis (5 hrs).
- 5pm – 11pm: Drive from Ben Nevis to Scafell Pike (6 hrs).
- 11pm – 3am: Climb Scafell Pike (4 hrs).
- 3am – 8am: Drive from Scafell Pike to Snowdon (5 hrs).
- 8am – 12pm: Climb Snowdon and complete the challenge (4 hrs).
Tips for Completing the Three Peaks Challenge
Here are a few tips to help you make things run a little smoother on the day you attempt the Three Peaks Challenge:
- Do a test run. The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a much more condensed version of the challenge and while it involves only half the altitude gain, it’s a great way of getting a bit of practice before the big day.
- Take plenty of food and snacks. It’s a long day and you’ll need all the energy you can get.
- Keep a consistent pace. You’ll find that a slow but steady pace will work better than sprinting and then having to stop when you’re out of breath.
Three Peaks Challenge - FAQs
Most people find it takes roughly 13 hours of hiking and 11 hours of driving between peaks, hence the challenge of completing all three peaks in 24 hours.
Ben Nevis is widely considered to be the hardest of the Three Peaks Challenge. It’s the highest peak and is often subject to harsher weather conditions. That’s why most people tend to start with Ben Nevis when completing the Three Peaks Challenge.
No. You’ll most likely need a fair bit of training before attempting the Three Peaks Challenge. The challenge involves a total of 23 miles (37 Km) of hiking and, most importantly, a total ascent is 10,052ft (3,064 metres), which most people will struggle to complete without training.
The best time of year to attempt the Three Peaks Challenge is in summer, usually around June/July. Despite it being the busiest time of year on hiking trails in the UK, it’s also when you’ll get the most daylight hours (so you’re not hiking in the dark much) and the best weather.
Sure, kids can do the Three Peaks Challenge but it won’t be easy. It’s a heck of a challenge for most adults, so most tour operators have a minimum age requirement of 14. With that in mind, I wouldn’t recommend it for children under the age of 14.
