The Three Peaks Challenge is a punishing challenge for fans of hill walking in the UK. Becoming possible with the invention of the motor car, the Three Peaks Challenge remains popular with walkers even today, often doing it for charity.
The Three Peaks Challenge consists of three walks, often within 24 hours. The starting walk is Ben Nevis in Scotland. This is usually done early in the morning. Following the descent, you hitch a ride south. This is where the race in 24 hours is won or lost, so it’s essential a driver, so you can sleep.
The reason why it’s won or lost here? If you hit rush hour around the Lake District, England, you will be queuing. Mountain number 2 is Scarfell’s Pike, the tallest mountain in England. This is the smallest mountain to climb, but it’s one of the hardest. The reason? Paths aren’t etched as easily as on the other two mountains, so it’s very easy to get confused. When you’ve descended Scarfell’s Pike, you drive to Wales to climb Snowdon.
The final mountain to ascend is Snowdon, in Snowdonia. The second highest mountain in the UK, Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales, and the last on your challenge. You should be climbing this in hours 18-24 of the challenge, as it takes about six hours to climb the mountain. But the challenge isn’t over until you climb back down the mountain and return to base camp.
If you do, before 24 hours after you started, then congratulations! You’ve completed the Three Peaks Challenge!
After such a climb like this, then you will want a few days off to recouperate and celebrate? There are plenty of Llanberis Hotels if you need time to recouperate!
