The National UK Three Peaks Challenge
3 Peaks Route
What is the Three Peaks Challenge?
This mountain climbing event involves scaling the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, often attempted within a continuous 24 hours, a walking distance of 40kms. Note that these are not the three highest mountains in the UK, but in each mainland country making up part of the UK..!
The 3 Peaks involved in this challenge are:
Ben Nevis (Scotland) - 1344 metres high
Scafell Pike (England) - 978 metres high
Snowdon (Wales) - 1085 metres high
Apart from climbing and descending each mountain, you will need to travel between them, some 450 miles. The map on the left shows the typical driving route, but click here for a regularly updated route on an interactive Google map (also shown at the foot of this page). Smaller teams may use a private car or MPV, whilst larger teams will require a minibus. Bear in mind newer minibuses are limited to 62 mph, and drivers are required to have D1 catagory on their drivers licence.
Typical Three Peaks Challenge itinerary:
Most 3 Peaks Challenges start in the north, then head south. This is mainly for logistical reasons, reducing the travel distance home after the challenge - but it is of course possible to start with Snowdon then head north..! The following 24 hour itinerary is based on a north to south challenge during a weekend...
Friday: Travel to Fort William. Overnight stay.
Saturday 0600: Climb Ben Nevis (5 hours)
Saturday 1100: End Ben Nevis, drive to Wasdale (6 hours)
Saturday 1700: Climb Scafell Pike (4 hours)
Saturday 2100: End Scafell Pike, drive to Llanderis (5 hours)
Sunday 0200: Climb Snowdon (4 hours)
Sunday 0600: End Challenge - TOTAL = 24 hours
Sunday: Travel home from north Wales.
Itinerary variations:
The above itinerary is based on a challenge organised for the end of June, when daylight hours are at their longest. It will only require a small part of the walking in fading light, probably the start of Snowdon. It is also popular to start late afternoon finishing Ben Nevis at dusk, thus enabling most of the first driving leg to be completed in the dark. This does, however, mean a late finish in north Wales - so an overnight stay would be recommended.
The above also assumes climbing Scafell Pike from Wasdale (aiming for 4 hours on the peak). Scafell Pike may also be climbed from Seathwaite (near Keswick) but the walking route takes roughly an hour longer - compensated by the drive being an hour shorter..! If you are in a slower vehicle, and your climbers are quite fast on the hills, then this option may be of some benefit to you.
.
This mountain climbing event involves scaling the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, often attempted within a continuous 24 hours, a walking distance of 40kms. Note that these are not the three highest mountains in the UK, but in each mainland country making up part of the UK..!
The 3 Peaks involved in this challenge are:
Ben Nevis (Scotland) - 1344 metres high
Scafell Pike (England) - 978 metres high
Snowdon (Wales) - 1085 metres high
Apart from climbing and descending each mountain, you will need to travel between them, some 450 miles. The map on the left shows the typical driving route, but click here for a regularly updated route on an interactive Google map (also shown at the foot of this page). Smaller teams may use a private car or MPV, whilst larger teams will require a minibus. Bear in mind newer minibuses are limited to 62 mph, and drivers are required to have D1 catagory on their drivers licence.
Typical Three Peaks Challenge itinerary:
Most 3 Peaks Challenges start in the north, then head south. This is mainly for logistical reasons, reducing the travel distance home after the challenge - but it is of course possible to start with Snowdon then head north..! The following 24 hour itinerary is based on a north to south challenge during a weekend...
Friday: Travel to Fort William. Overnight stay.
Saturday 0600: Climb Ben Nevis (5 hours)
Saturday 1100: End Ben Nevis, drive to Wasdale (6 hours)
Saturday 1700: Climb Scafell Pike (4 hours)
Saturday 2100: End Scafell Pike, drive to Llanderis (5 hours)
Sunday 0200: Climb Snowdon (4 hours)
Sunday 0600: End Challenge - TOTAL = 24 hours
Sunday: Travel home from north Wales.
Itinerary variations:
The above itinerary is based on a challenge organised for the end of June, when daylight hours are at their longest. It will only require a small part of the walking in fading light, probably the start of Snowdon. It is also popular to start late afternoon finishing Ben Nevis at dusk, thus enabling most of the first driving leg to be completed in the dark. This does, however, mean a late finish in north Wales - so an overnight stay would be recommended.
The above also assumes climbing Scafell Pike from Wasdale (aiming for 4 hours on the peak). Scafell Pike may also be climbed from Seathwaite (near Keswick) but the walking route takes roughly an hour longer - compensated by the drive being an hour shorter..! If you are in a slower vehicle, and your climbers are quite fast on the hills, then this option may be of some benefit to you.
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View Three Peaks Challenge - Driving Route in a larger map
Three Peaks Challenge
Completed the Three Peaks Challenge? Then why not try to win £1000 cash for your team in the 2011 3 Peaks Mountain Rally Challenge?
