The Three Peaks Challenge - Basic Information
Interested but confused?
This page offers basic information regarding the Three Peaks Challenge. If you have heard about the challenge, and are interested - but are confused by all of the information available - then this page is for you. If you know what the challenge is, but require more detailed information, please use the links menu on your left.
What is the Three Peaks Challenge?
There are two well known challenges - the National Three Peaks Challenge (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon), and the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge (Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough). The National challenge is over 24 hours, and requires transport between the peaks, the Yorkshire challenge is over 12 hours and teams walk between the peaks. Both are refered to as "the Three Peaks Challenge".
The National challenge involves walking to the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, the Yorkshire challenge involves climbing 3 high peaks in Yorkshire..! However, both present a huge challenge to walkers, and the Yorkshire event is often used as a training event for the National challenge. The National challenge requires full logistical support for the walkers - minibus, drivers, fuel, route, food, communications, etc. The Yorkshire event requires no support, & walkers can be self-sufficient for the classic circular challenge route.
Both challenges require walkers to complete around 25 miles of hiking on a variety of surfaces (grass, open moorland, bog and moss, rocky track, tarmac road) and despite often being referred to as a 'climb', no physical climbing with ropes etc., is encountered..!
Financially, the Yorkshire event can be organised at a fraction of the price of the National Three Peaks Challenge, as very little logistical support is required.
When Is The Three Peaks Challenge?
Both the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and the National Three Peaks Challenge, are completely on public rights of way, and as such, can be attempted at any time. There are many organised events which you can take part in, or if you are confident of your abilities, you can organise your own challenge.
Due to weather conditions, most people will attempt the challenges between April and late September. Outside of these dates will increase the chances of winter weather, making the challenge much more demanding (and also more dangerous - probably requiring winter walking equipment and previous winter mountain experience).
To gain the best daylight advantage, the end of June offers the longest daylight hours, but is also by far the busiest period for this challenge.
Three Peaks Challenge - Costs
Obviously one of the biggest questions is "how much will it cost?". These costs will, of course, vary depending where you are travelling from, what level of accommodation you may choose, any professional help you require (ie, drivers or mountain guides), any outdoor clothing or kit you have - or may have to buy, maps or guidebooks, and any entry fees if entering an organised event (which may provide some of the above).
Below is a rough guide for costs for both Three Peaks Challenges:
This page offers basic information regarding the Three Peaks Challenge. If you have heard about the challenge, and are interested - but are confused by all of the information available - then this page is for you. If you know what the challenge is, but require more detailed information, please use the links menu on your left.
What is the Three Peaks Challenge?
There are two well known challenges - the National Three Peaks Challenge (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon), and the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge (Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough). The National challenge is over 24 hours, and requires transport between the peaks, the Yorkshire challenge is over 12 hours and teams walk between the peaks. Both are refered to as "the Three Peaks Challenge".
The National challenge involves walking to the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, the Yorkshire challenge involves climbing 3 high peaks in Yorkshire..! However, both present a huge challenge to walkers, and the Yorkshire event is often used as a training event for the National challenge. The National challenge requires full logistical support for the walkers - minibus, drivers, fuel, route, food, communications, etc. The Yorkshire event requires no support, & walkers can be self-sufficient for the classic circular challenge route.
Both challenges require walkers to complete around 25 miles of hiking on a variety of surfaces (grass, open moorland, bog and moss, rocky track, tarmac road) and despite often being referred to as a 'climb', no physical climbing with ropes etc., is encountered..!
Financially, the Yorkshire event can be organised at a fraction of the price of the National Three Peaks Challenge, as very little logistical support is required.
When Is The Three Peaks Challenge?
Both the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and the National Three Peaks Challenge, are completely on public rights of way, and as such, can be attempted at any time. There are many organised events which you can take part in, or if you are confident of your abilities, you can organise your own challenge.
Due to weather conditions, most people will attempt the challenges between April and late September. Outside of these dates will increase the chances of winter weather, making the challenge much more demanding (and also more dangerous - probably requiring winter walking equipment and previous winter mountain experience).
To gain the best daylight advantage, the end of June offers the longest daylight hours, but is also by far the busiest period for this challenge.
Three Peaks Challenge - Costs
Obviously one of the biggest questions is "how much will it cost?". These costs will, of course, vary depending where you are travelling from, what level of accommodation you may choose, any professional help you require (ie, drivers or mountain guides), any outdoor clothing or kit you have - or may have to buy, maps or guidebooks, and any entry fees if entering an organised event (which may provide some of the above).
Below is a rough guide for costs for both Three Peaks Challenges:
|
National Three Peaks Challenge
Travel to Fort William: £? Travel home from Llanberis: £? B&B accommodation Fort William: £30-£50 Minibus/MPV hire: £400-£600 Fuel: £250-£300 Food (weekend): £30 Maps: £30 Walking Clothing/kit: As required Event Entry Fees: Team of 6-8 (own transport): £500-£2500 Team of 6-8 (guide & transport): £2000 Individual (guide & transport): £350 Charity events may ask walkers to raise anywhere from £1000 to £6000 to enter..! |
Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
Travel to Horton-In-Ribblesdale: £? Travel home from Horton: £? B&B accommodation Horton: £30-£50 Mininbus/MPV hire: N/A Fuel: N/A Food (day): £15 Maps: £5 Walking clothing/kit: As required Event Entry Fees: Team of 4: £120-£200 Individual: £35-£50 Charity events may ask walkers to raise £100 - £1000 to enter an organised event. |
Three Peaks Challenge - Kit Requirements
For both Three Peaks Challenges, you will need a team to walk with, and each of your team members will need to correct walking kit, suitable for serious weather conditions in the British mountains. Unless you are a keen walker anyhow, then you will need to purchase items from a walking or outdoor clothing store. The more expensive purchases may include walking boots, waterproof jacket, and a rucksack. At the cheaper end of the scale, these may cost a total of £150-£200 or so. Please see out 'kit list' for full details.
Three Peaks Challenge - Transport
For the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, you will need to get to and from Horton-In-Ribblesdale, the start of the challenge. Luckily, this has a railway station on the Settle to Carlisle line. However, most people will travel by car.
For the National Three Peaks Challenge, you will need to get to Fort William to start the challenge, transport between the peaks, then transport home from north Wales after completing the challenge. For safety and comfort reasons, your drivers should not take any part in the walking during the challenge. Most popular choices are MPV 7 seaters, or 15/17 seater minibuses. Please see our info regarding transport for this event.
Three Peaks Challenge - Navigation
None of the Three Peaks Challenges are on waymarked routes. For both challenges, you will need a basic understanding of navigation using maps, and if visibility is poor, compass bearings. Many teams with little experience come to grief on Scafell Pike in testing conditions, sometimes with serious consequences. If you have any concerns regarding your navigational abilities in less than perfect weather conditions, then please consider hiring a local mountain guide (around £150 per mountain for up to 8 walkers).
Three Peaks Challenge - Accommodation
If you live local to Yorkshire, then you may not require any accommodation when attempting that challenge. However, most people will start walking by around 7am, so allow for time to travel there. It's also nice to be able to enjoy a celebratory drink or two after completing the challenge, so arranging somewhere to stay can be a good idea - make a full weekend of it..!
Horton-In-Ribblesdale has a number of bunkhouses, B&B's, and a campsite. Camping costs around £5 per person per night, and the bunkhouses start from around £15pppn, so you won't need to break the bank. Settle is about 6 miles south, and has much more variety.
If your challenge is the National Three Peaks Challenge, then most people will start at Fort William, and finish in Llanberis. Both have camping, youth hostels, bunkhouses, and of course B&B's and hotels.
Your weekend will be much more enjoyable if you decide to stay overnight either before or after your challenge - both if you've the time and money. Many people spend a full day travelling to Fort William - start the challenge - then travel home straight after finishing - and nearly all regret it..! Taking some time to relax after travelling up to the Highlands is very worthwhile, and gives you the chance to soak up a bit of this magical atmosphere. Overnight at the finish gives everyone (including the drivers) the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy what you've just achieved...!
For both Three Peaks Challenges, you will need a team to walk with, and each of your team members will need to correct walking kit, suitable for serious weather conditions in the British mountains. Unless you are a keen walker anyhow, then you will need to purchase items from a walking or outdoor clothing store. The more expensive purchases may include walking boots, waterproof jacket, and a rucksack. At the cheaper end of the scale, these may cost a total of £150-£200 or so. Please see out 'kit list' for full details.
Three Peaks Challenge - Transport
For the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, you will need to get to and from Horton-In-Ribblesdale, the start of the challenge. Luckily, this has a railway station on the Settle to Carlisle line. However, most people will travel by car.
For the National Three Peaks Challenge, you will need to get to Fort William to start the challenge, transport between the peaks, then transport home from north Wales after completing the challenge. For safety and comfort reasons, your drivers should not take any part in the walking during the challenge. Most popular choices are MPV 7 seaters, or 15/17 seater minibuses. Please see our info regarding transport for this event.
Three Peaks Challenge - Navigation
None of the Three Peaks Challenges are on waymarked routes. For both challenges, you will need a basic understanding of navigation using maps, and if visibility is poor, compass bearings. Many teams with little experience come to grief on Scafell Pike in testing conditions, sometimes with serious consequences. If you have any concerns regarding your navigational abilities in less than perfect weather conditions, then please consider hiring a local mountain guide (around £150 per mountain for up to 8 walkers).
Three Peaks Challenge - Accommodation
If you live local to Yorkshire, then you may not require any accommodation when attempting that challenge. However, most people will start walking by around 7am, so allow for time to travel there. It's also nice to be able to enjoy a celebratory drink or two after completing the challenge, so arranging somewhere to stay can be a good idea - make a full weekend of it..!
Horton-In-Ribblesdale has a number of bunkhouses, B&B's, and a campsite. Camping costs around £5 per person per night, and the bunkhouses start from around £15pppn, so you won't need to break the bank. Settle is about 6 miles south, and has much more variety.
If your challenge is the National Three Peaks Challenge, then most people will start at Fort William, and finish in Llanberis. Both have camping, youth hostels, bunkhouses, and of course B&B's and hotels.
Your weekend will be much more enjoyable if you decide to stay overnight either before or after your challenge - both if you've the time and money. Many people spend a full day travelling to Fort William - start the challenge - then travel home straight after finishing - and nearly all regret it..! Taking some time to relax after travelling up to the Highlands is very worthwhile, and gives you the chance to soak up a bit of this magical atmosphere. Overnight at the finish gives everyone (including the drivers) the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy what you've just achieved...!
