Challenge yourself by conquering the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours in this iconic mountaineering challenge with Mountaineerin, the UK’s leading adventure holiday organisers.
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).
National Three Peaks trips run from May – October.
Alternatively, opt for the National 3 Peaks Challenge over 3 days for a more relaxed and comfortable itinerary.
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
1 night B&B in Fort William before the challenge begins
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.
Trips run from April to October. Below you can see our weekend and mid-week dates. For a private group (6 or more) please contact us
10:30 – Pick up in Warrington or Northwest agreed location (if needed)
15:00 – Pick up Glasgow Central Station or/and International Airport (if needed)
15:30 – Transfer to Hotel/B&B
18:00 – Arrive at hotel
20:00 – Challenge Briefing and Q&A session
07:00 – Breakfast
08:00 – Transfer to Ben Nevis start point
08:15 – Final preparation
08:30 – Start challenge (Begin Ben Nevis)
11:30 – Summit Ben Nevis
13:30 – Transfer to Wasdale Head (transfer includes a 45 minute maximum driver rest stop. This is a VOSA legal requirement)
20:30 – Begin Scafell Pike ascent
23:00 – Summit Scafell Pike
01:00 – Transfer to Pen y pass
01:00 – Transfer to Pen y pass
05:30 – Begin Snowdon ascent
08:00 – Summit Snowdon
09:30 – Complete challenge at Pen y pass
10:00 – Transfer to drop off point
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 amount of time it takes to do the three peaks challenge depends on lots of factors such as:
Many groups are successful in completing the challenge in 24 hours.
Groups usually spend around 4-6 hours ascending and descending each mountain.
Around 10 hours will be spent in the mini-bus driving between each destination.
Yes. In fact, the National Three Peaks Challenge aims to climb the tallest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) in less than 24 hours.
The challenge also includes the driving distance of around 450 miles and takes an average of 10 hours to drive.
This means that the ascent and descent of the 3 mountains must be completed within 14 hours or less.
The National 3 Peaks is a beast but it doesn’t have to be. Why not take on the challenge over 3 days? A peak a day with a night in a B&B between mountains turns the challenge into much nicer adventure holiday.
Check our our alternative 3 Peaks in 3 Days Itinerary.
The aim of the National 3 Peaks Challenge is to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours. The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3064 metres (10,052ft).
The National 3 Peaks is a beast but it doesn’t have to be.
Why not take on the challenge over 3 days?
A peak a day with a night in a B&B between mountains turns the challenge into much nicer adventure holiday.
View available dates for the 3 Peaks in 3 Days.
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.
You will still complete the 3 Peaks but you’ll stay at a hotel each night rather than sleeping in the bus on the way to each stop.
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. Mountaineerin Ltd also hold an AALA licence meaning we can working with children and young people without their parents/legal guardians. We do suggest contacting us prior to booking if children and young people are part of the group.
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.
We suggest that this is not really a good challenge for a pet due to the length of time spent in the minibus so ideally no.
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.
See what our clients say about their experience with us here.
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. Certificates are now sent out via email in the form of a PDF to save unnecessary printing and postage.
The National 3 Peaks Challenge includes overnight accommodation in Fort William in twin rooms. Single rooms available at a supplement and are subject to availability.
The 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 DVSA 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.
*Prices correct at time of publication
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.
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
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.
You ideally need 2 litres per mountain. Participants normally buy this on arrival in Fort William.
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 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.
