The Three Peaks Challenge is a daunting task. To be successful in this quest, you need to be well-prepared, pretty fit, have the right equipment, and have support from people prepared to drive and feed you between ascents.

The Scafell Pike walk forms the middle leg of the “Three Peaks Challenge”, in which walkers attempt to reach the summits of Ben Nevis in Scotland (4408 feet), Scafell Pike in England (3208 feet) and Snowdon in Wales (3558 feet) within a 24 hour period.

Many challenges are organised to raise funds for charity by experienced hill climbers or event companies and, although usually attempted by using motorised transport between the three peaks, can be completed by foot (record 54 hours, 39 minutes and 14 seconds), by bicycle (record 46 hours and 30 minutes) or by yacht (record three days, 18 hours).

Preparing for the Three Peaks Challenge

There is no organising body with whom you have to pre-book your Three Peaks Challenge, so you are free to attempt your challenge at any time of year. However, remember that although you will have more hours of daylight and better weather in June or July, you will be approaching the peak holiday season, and the roads may be more congested – especially on the approach to Snowdon.

Amongst your preparations, make sure that you have sufficient quantities of food and water with you so that you are not reliant on bars and restaurants being open at unsociable hours of the morning. A particular problem exists at Wasdale Head – the most commonly used starting point for walking up Scafell Pike – where there is a lack of mains water.

Also, be aware that if you have chosen a particularly busy time to attempt your Three Peaks challenge (or unfortunately synchronised it with a group of 200 charity walkers), you may encounter bottlenecks on the mountainsides and on the roads. Plan your routes with the potential for delays so that you are not trying to ascend Snowdon in the dark!

Throwing Yourself In – DOING the Three Peaks Challenge

The Three Peaks Challenge route, which most people choose, starts at the foot of Ben Nevis at around 5.00 pm. The summit is 4,331 feet and can be reached via the pony track within three hours. It is considerably easier to descend this path, and you should be back at the bottom by 10.00 pm. The drive to Scafell Pike will take six to seven hours through the night – so try to get some sleep!

The quickest route for the Scafell Pike walk starts at the Wasdale Head car park and should be completed within five hours also. To stay on target to complete the Three Peaks Challenge within 24 hours, you will need to start the Scafell Pike walk early (but please consider noise levels so as not to disturb the local community) – before embarking on the 200-mile drive to Snowdon. Bear in mind that many of the roads beyond the M6 (particularly the A55) are no roads on which you can put your foot down, so you do not have time to admire the view at the summit of Scafell Pike.

Provided that you reach Snowdon by early afternoon, the summit can be reached via the Pyg or Miner’s route by mid-afternoon – allowing an hour and a half for your descent to complete the Three Peaks Challenge within 24 hours. This is the leg on which most injuries occur due to fatigue and rushing up the side of Snowdon to catch up on time you may have lost previously. Remember that your health is more important than completing the Three Peaks Challenge, and if it takes 24 hours and 10 minutes, it may be disappointing, but it is better than spending six weeks on crutches!