Timing of the National Three Peaks Challenge

Annual timing

The National Three Peaks Challenge is typically attempted over the summer, but be aware that the Institute of Fundraising asks participants to abide by the following three guidelines:

• Avoid weekends
• Avoid the period from late June to mid July
• Limit events to 200 participants

This is due to criticism from locals, as the influx of so many walkers at one time, particularly at unsociable times of day, is not desirable. We would recommend not organising challenges of more than two or so car loads of people.

Timing on the day

Typically, you should allow the following times for each mountain:

• Five hours for Ben Nevis
• Five hours for Scafell Pike
• Four hours for Snowdon

These times are steady - for example, Snowdon would be completed comfortably by most people in five hours. A good pace is needed, without wearing out too early. The best way of testing if you and your team are able is doing a bit of practice on whichever mountain is closest to you.

Add to those estimates, no less than ten hours driving - else you would be breaking the speed limits and make the climbing too easy, which isn't the idea of the Challenge.

Start and finish times vary greatly, depending on whether participants would prefer to get up very early, or stay up very late.

Option One - More sensible

As long as your challenge team has a dedicated driver, this is probably the best time plan. Ben Nevis is climbed in the evening, then all walkers can have a seven hour sleep while being driven to Scafell Pike. This also means Scafell Pike and Snowdon can be climbed in daylight, so navigation should be as easy as it gets.

5pm	Start Ben Nevis.
10pm	Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (six hour drive).
4am	Arrive and start climbing Scafell Pike
9am	Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (four hour drive).
1pm	Arrive and start climbing Snowdon
5pm	Finish Snowdon, and complete challenge.

Option Two - Avoid Traffic

In order to avoid traffic, the common pitfall of the Three Peaks Challenge, it is sensible to begin at midday, finishing Ben Nevis by around 5pm, allowing for a late evening drive to Wasedale Head to climb Scafell Pike. Scafell Pike is then climbed in the dark, followed by Snowdon in the morning.

Option Three - Long Day

This option allows both Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike to be climbed in daylight, leaving an easy Snowdon path to be climbed at night.

6am	Start Ben Nevis.
11am	Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (six hour drive).
5pm	Arrive and start climbing Scafell Pike
10pm	Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (four hour drive).
2am	Arrive and start climbing Snowdon
6am	Finish Snowdon, and complete challenge.

Three Peaks in Three Days

If you are less keen on being restricted by time, the Three Peaks is often completed over three days, taking a day for each mountain. Completing the Three Peaks over three days will also give you added time to enjoy the local culture and support local businesses.

• National Three Peaks Challenge
  • Book your Three Peaks Challenge
  • Three Peaks Challenge 2010
  • Route
  • Ben Nevis
  • Scafell Pike
  • Snowdon
  • Timing
  • Equipment
  • Organisation
  • Common Questions
  • Purer Challenges
  • Criticisms
  • Accommodation
  • Extensions
  • Code of Conduct
  • Register your Challenge
• Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
  • Book your Yorkshire Three Peaks
  • Yorkshire Three Peaks 2010
  • Route
  • Pen-y-Ghent
  • Whernside
  • Ingleborough
  • Timing
  • Equipment
  • Accommodation
• Welsh 3000s
  • Book your Welsh 3000s Challenge
  • Route
  • Timing
  • Equipment
• Sailing the Three Peaks
  • Route
  • Timing
  • Equipment
• Charity Challenges
• Corporate Challenges
• Welsh Three Peaks Challenge
• Three Peaks Race
• Three Peaks Cyclo-cross
• Snowdon Race
• Pendle Three Peaks
• Long Distance Walks
• Training
• Hill Walking Equipment
• Nutrition
• Organising a Challenge
• Navigation
• Camping
• Geocaching
• Countryside Code
• Recommended Reading
• Links
• Contact Us