This turns the challenge into much nicer adventure holiday!
The National 3 Peaks Challenge is often completed to raise money for a chosen charity but is also done for fun, as well as the sense of accomplishment that comes from summiting the mountains.
The total walking distance of the National 3 Peaks Challenge is 23 miles (37km) with an ascent of 10,052 feet (3064 metres).
Alternatively, opt for the traditional National 3 Peaks Challenge in 24 hours.
Here at Mountaineerin, we believe in providing a high-quality and honest service while working to industry guidelines and the law.
The highest mountain in Scotland at 1345m
The highest mountain in England at 978m
The highest mountain in Wales at 1085m
3 nights B&B in between each peak
Mini-bus transport throughout the challenge
Challenging
Items that are included in the cost of the tour price.
Items that are not included in the cost of the tour price.
Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all everything you need to know about this trip.
3 nights B&B included 👍🏼
Trips run from April to October. For a private group (6 or more) please contact us!
10:0 – Pick up from Warrington
15:00 – Pick up from Glasgow (Station and/or Airport)
15:30 – Arrive at hotel, biefing and Q&A session with guide
07:00 – Breakfast
08:00 – Transfer to Ben Nevis start point
08:15 – Final preparation
08:30 – Start challenge (Begin Ben Nevis)
12:00 – Summit Ben Nevis
15:30 – Transfer to Lake District (transfer includes a 45 minute maximum driver rest stop. This is a VOSA legal requirement)
19:30 – Arrive at Hotel
08:00 – Transfer to Wasdale Head
09:30 – Begin Scafell Pike ascent
12:00 – Summit Scafell Pike
14:00 – Transfer to North Wales
19:00 – Arrive at Hotel
08:00 – Transfer to Pen y pass
08:30 – Begin Snowdon ascent
11:30 – Summit Snowdon
14:00 – Complete challenge at Pen y pass
14:15 – Transfer to drop off point (Chester & Warrington Stations)
You will still complete the 3 Peaks but you’ll stay at a B&B/ hotel each night rather than sleeping in the bus on the way to each stop.
The mountains in the three peaks challenge are:
All three mountains are formidable challenges in their own right, and it really depends on your experience and ability as to which one will be the most difficult for you.
The usual trodden pony track up Ben Nevis requires no technical ability to reach the summit however you can expect to be ascending constantly for around 3 hours.
Scafell Pike is the shortest of the 3 peaks with a height of 978m but with a starting elevation of around 90m the ascent is still considerable. The route to the summit is around half the distance of that of Ben Nevis making for a steep ascent which will take most only about 2 hours.
Snowdon is often regarded as the easier of the 3 peaks, due to the elevation of the main starting point being just over 300m, making the ascent the shortest out of all 3 peaks.
For most groups each mountain will take between 4 – 6 hours to complete, at least half of that time will be spent walking uphill with limited rest breaks to avoid losing too much time.
The total distance is 23 miles in three stages, with a total ascent of 3,064 metres.
The National Three Peaks Challenge includes climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours, so it is reasonably challenging.
However, the challenge is successfully completed by thousands of people each year. If you are in reasonable shape or have past experience trekking, you should be fine.
You don’t require any mountaineering experience for the 3 peaks challenge.
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain and is usually climbed first. It presents a straightforward but relentless challenge.
Scafell Pike begins with a steep climb that can be challenging.
Snowdon is the last mountain to climb, which makes it a challenge as you will be worn out from the previous two.
This is a difficult question to answer!
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks covers a distance of 24 miles with a total ascent of 1,600m and it is usually completed in one go over a 12 hour period.
The National 3 Peaks also covers a distance of around 24 miles but with 3,064 meters of ascent.
During the National 3 Peaks you will spend around 4-6 hours climbing each mountain but you will have a few hours in between each mountain to rest or sleep on the mini-bus.
No – Any age can take part.
No. There are a couple of rocky steps but nothing we would class as a climb or scramble.
Absolutely. About 6 weeks prior to your challenge you will receive a health questionnaire which allows us to check if there is anything else we need to or could do to support you in your challenge.
If you believe you would need extra support for any reason just let us know and we can discuss this further.
Here at Mountaineerin, we provide bespoke packages for groups of 6 or more people.
Our Open Bus National 3 Peaks Challenge events are organised into groups of 10.
1 guide will accompany a group of 10 people on our open challenges and the guide will be with the group for the entire challenge.
So, you might be wondering what happens if someone gets injured or can’t complete the challenge and does that mean every one has to stop the challenge?
Well, it really depends on where this happens on the mountain. But for example if someone wanted to drop out and they were lower down it may be possible to allow that person to return alone. However every situation is different, so it’s hard to foresee every eventuality or variable.
The reality is our guides manage the group and the pace to attempt the challenge within 24 hours and very rarely do entire groups have to retreat without reaching the summit.
From our experience, any drop outs are normally due to fitness and as this usually happens lower down on the mountain, the guide would manage this early on.
Obviously we cannot foresee injuries but I can say we haven’t had a group turn back this year on any mountainside because of an injury.
The walking pace for the National 3 Peaks will be set by the guide in order to set a pace in which the group can attempt to complete the challenge within 24 hours.
This pace will be a moderate to fast walk. Any breaks will be minimal and simply to drink, have a quick snack or catch your breath.
The group will not at any point stop for longer than a couple of minutes to rest. If you are well off the pace or struggling the guide may need to discuss how this might be managed going forward.
It should be noted this is not a leisurely walk!
We also offer the Three Peaks over 3 days for those who would like to experience the mountains at a less challenging pace.
A certificate of achievement will be sent out after the challenge for you to show off to all your friends.
he total walking distance is approximately 23 miles (37 kilometers), with an ascent of over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).
Training ideas are provided after booking however we suggest cardiovascular exercise such as walking, swimming and cycling are all good activities for training for the challenge.
The fitter you are the more enjoyment you are likely to get from the challenge.
Transport will be in a mini-bus and you will have a dedicated driver for the duration of the challenge.
We will cover around 450 miles on the trip which takes an average of 10 hours to drive.
During your transfer to Scafell Pike we will take a 45 minute maximum driver rest stop as this is a VOSA legal requirement.
Pick ups are:
Drop offs are:
We only stop at each if required obviously.
We cannot guarantee a drop off time due to the many variables involved in the event. If booking onward transport e advise booking Open or Anytime tickets or booking on the day.
Yes. Your kit is normally split into a day pack which you will carry on the mountains and a bag that will remain on the bus.
After reviewing our kit list, risk assessments and procedures, it would not be defensible to go against the recommendations set out.
With this in mind Mountaineerin will be advising that all participants need to wear walking boots with ankle support as per our kit list.
The terrain on all 3 mountains is rocky, very slippy when wet and given the nature of the event with people progressively getting more fatigued boots provide the best way of reducing the risk of strains, sprains or worse. We appreciate an ankle injury is not always a major problem however in mountain terrain far from help it can pose significant logistical issues and seriously impact the event.
As per our kit list all participants are expected to be suitable equipped with the correct recommend footwear which is walking boots. You may be refused participation if you do not have the appropriate footwear.
For the National 3 Peaks Challenge, you will need common trekking kit such as walking boots (with ankle support), 20-40 litre backpack, waterproof jacket & trousers, first aid kit, head torch and trekking snacks and water.
To help you prepare for the National 3 Peaks Challenge we have put together this essential kit list to ensure you have everything you need to complete this iconic challenge.
Footwear
Rucksacks & Bags
Recommended Clothing
Trekking Equipment
Some ideas of this are provided in the supporting documents after booking.
We do suggest snacking whilst on the mountains as you will not stop for any length of time for a break. Things such as nuts, cereal bars, granola, sweets, chocolate, energy bars are all good options.
The bulk of your food will be eaten whilst travelling on the bus and this can be sandwiches, pasta or anything you fancy really.
Food can often be bought in Fort William before the challenge, at services during or you can bring your own.
Yes, Mountaineerin Ltd is insured for all the activities it offers.
We also recommend getting personal trip insurance to cover you for loss or damage to any items or personal injury.
At present there are no current additional measures required to comply with government guidance regarding Covid-19. We will continue to monitor the situation should the situation change.
We recommend you take out suitable insurance for your chosen activity.
Mountaineerin is an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
This licence ensures that Mountaineerin operates within the parameters and spirit of the Award.
The licence also provides an opportunity for the DofE to assess Mountaineerin’s suitability to deliver Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.
