3 Peaks Challenge
(Although we are fully booked - if there is a group of you please contact us info@challengecentral.co.uk and have your very own bespoke 3 Peaks Challenge)
Pushing through the physical fatigue, we will trek 25 miles and ascend almost 3500m to achieve something special that will be remembered forever.
The terrain is varied with rocky trails and meandering paths leading us to the highest points in England, Scotland and Wales. The weather can be unpredictable and the views often spectacular (sometimes invisible!) but one thing is for sure, the camaraderie of the group and support from the Challenge Central Crew will make the 3 Peaks Challenge a truly rewarding adventure.
Ben Nevis 1345m (4413ft)
Scafell Pike 978m (3209ft)
Snowdon 1085m (3560ft)
3 Peaks Challenge in 24 Hours - Overview
Pick-up points for the challenge are Glasgow Airport or Fort William town just before the challenge commences. After the event briefing, the challenge will kick off with the highest mountain in the UK - Ben Nevis.
Once Ben Nevis is completed, we are swiftly on our way to the second mountain of the challenge - Scafell Pike.
At around 06:00, there will be just one drive and one mountain left to conquer before the 3 Peaks Challenge is complete.
The final trek is the mighty Mt Snowdon, where we will hopefully be treated to some fantastic mountain views.
Once safely back down to sea level into the town of Llanberis, it’s time to celebrate with the medal presentation and event debrief before heading to the accommodation for a good night’s sleep.
In the morning, after a good breakfast, we head for our final destination and drop-off point - Birmingham New Street Train Station.
We measure our 24-hour attempts by setting the driving time to 11 hours; leaving 13 hours to conquer the three mountains. This means we have more flexibility in transitions and pressure is removed from the driving legs of the challenge. The change will also protect our time from many potential delays from circumstances out of our control.
A better option....?
Fancy a cheaper, more environmentally friendlier version to the 3 Peaks but still want a tough and testing challenge? Or maybe you don’t have the time to squeeze a more conventional 3 Peaks into your diary? Then why not try the ‘Your 3 Peaks’ series!? It’s still a very testing challenge and you’ll be required to conquer 3 mountains - but they’re all within the same mountain range! You'll vastly reduce travelling time between peaks, but time spent walking up and down mountains is still pretty much the same! It’s a 3 Peaks without the motorways! You’ll save time, reduce your carbon footprint and learn a lot more about a specific range whilst saving yourself hundreds of pounds! Interested? Learn more about it here
Alternative 3 Peaks
We’ve got a better plan for the 3 Peaks.
Rather than driving across the UK, how about a series of 3 Peaks that’s better for the environment, reduces our carbon footprint, great for the local community, is more social, a fantastic single-day challenge, and ultimately, more rewarding.
Check out our Your 3 Peak Series for more details.
Example Itinerary (Approx Timings – please view as a guide only)
11:00 Pick up from Glasgow Airport - What3Word Location: ///motion.harsh.bind
14:15 Pick Up from Fort William
14:40 Arrive at Ben Nevis / Glen Nevis Visitor Centre - What3Word Location: ///hilltop.comfort.marzipan
14:50 Event Brief
15:00 Start The 3 Peak Challenge: Ben Nevis
19:15 Complete Ben Nevis
19:30 Leave Ben Nevis
01:30 Start 2nd Mountain: Scafell Pike - What3Word Location: ///nicknames.goodbyes.vest
05:15 Complete Scafell Pike
05:30 Leave Scafell Pike
11:30 Start 3rd Mountain: Snowdon - What3Word Location: ///elbowed.carpentry.pursue
15:00 Complete The 3 Peak Challenge
Celebrate in a nearby pub (duration will be subject to finish time)
Evening Accommodation
08:00 Breakfast
12:00 Drop off Birmingham New Street Train Station
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Challenge Central can provide a range of alterative options to tailor your group 3 Peak Challenge adventure.
To be the most cost-effective price for you, we recommend groups should be at least 10 people however if you have less, fear not as we will still happily provide you with our most competitive price possible to meet your requirements.
We have three popular bespoke options however further customisation is possible upon request. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements further.
Silver Package
The Standard Challenge Central 24 hour 3 Peaks Challenge, exclusively for your group.
Gold Package
The Standard Challenge Central 24 or 36-hour 3 Peaks Challenge, exclusively for your group with upgraded accommodation and refreshments.
What’s included:
>> Minibus Transport
>> Mountain Guides
>> Day 2 (Post-Challenge) Accommodation - hotel
>> 3 Peaks Challenge Finisher Medal
>> Light Refreshments & Fluids
What’s not included:
>> Equipment
>> Personal Insurance
>> Food / Main Meals
All Challenge Central events require a minimum participation level in order to operate. On very rare occasions if this level is not reached with 3 months to go, we may unfortunately have to cancel the challenge date. Bookings can either be refunded in full or transferred to another Challenge Central event within the next 18 months. Please find our full Terms and Conditions here.
Downloadable check list available here
Clothing:
>> Walking Socks
>> Waterproof Socks
>> Walking Boots
>> Base Layers – Shorts, Tights, Upper Body
>> Walking Trousers
>> Walking / Wind Proof Jacket
>> Rain Jacket
>> Fleece or Warm Jumper
>> Hat, Gloves, Balaclava
>> Spare Walking Clothes
Other Clothing:
>> Casual Clothing (for when not trekking)
>> Shoes / Trainers / Flip Flops (for when not trekking)
>> Light Blanket / Sleeping Bag (for when on the minibus & at the accommodation
Luggage / Packing Equipment:
>> Day Back Pack (to take on the mountains. This would be a Personal Preference regarding which size however 40-45L in our opinion would be fine - Example)
>> Packing Sacks and Dry Sacks
>> Holdall (for everything left in the vehicle)
>> Plastic Bag (for wet clothes)
>> Camelbak / Water Bottle (This would be a Personal Preference regarding which size Camelbak however 2L in our opinion would be fine - Example)
Walking Equipment:
>> Head Torch & Spare Batteries
>> Mini First Aid Kit, Pain Killers, Blister Plasters, and Vaseline
>> Insect Repellent, Sun Cream, Sun Glasses
>> Whistle, Compass
>> Mobile Phone
Hygiene & Health:
>> Toiletries
>> Bath Towel, Hand Towel, Flannel
>> Toilet Roll
>> Prescribed Medication (if applicable)
>> Anti-Nausea Tablets/Bands (for the road journey between mountains)
Nutrition (suggestions only):
Mountain Nutrition:
>> Energy Bars, Nuts, Seeds, Dry Fruit
>> Malt Loaf, Banana Cake, Jelly Babies, Trex Bars
Post Mountain Nutrition:
>> Protein Shake
>> Protein / Recovery Bars
>> **Soup, Porridge, Pot Noodles, Quick Sports Meals, Oats So Simple
**We do not supply any food on the trip but do provide hot water which can be used for a whole range of items.
Other Optional Equipment:
>> Walking Poles
>> Neck Pillow, Eye Mask, Ear Plugs (to help with sleep during the road journey between mountains)
>> Camera
>> **Maps
>> **Emergency Equipment – Silver Blanket, Survival Bag
**All of our guides will have Emergency Equipment and Maps with them.
We are pleased to provide all trekking participants with a special discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor Ltd which is available to use both in their stores and online through their website. *Terms & Conditions apply.
WHAT OUR CHALLENGERS SAY
Challenge Central has been successfully helping people overcome some of the toughest, most exciting challenges for many years. Here’s what they have to say about their London to Amsterdam experience with us:
Barry, September 2019
“Enjoyed everything to be honest, but the lasting memory will be the amazing views we were so lucky to witness. Also enjoyed the way the challenge inspired and challenged the whole group. The guides were amazing , very knowledgeable , experienced and generally just really nice guys!!”
Craig, September 2017
"Challenge Central were exceptional from start to finish and during. I would highly recommend using them for any event you anticipate doing based on my experience with them on the 3 peaks. Met some brilliant people and really enjoyed the challenge! The guides; a brilliant bunch of lads!"
Lyndsey, September 2017
"Myself and 8 other team members have just returned from completing the 3 peaks challenge. I can honestly say that I had the most amazing time! The challenge central staff were amazing, and most of all patient and motivated us every step of the way. We took on this challenge to raise money for our charity Entertainment Workshops, it's safe to say that challenge central will certainly be our first port of call for any future challenges we may wish to take on. Thanks for an awesome time guys!"
Matthew, July 2017
"I decided to do the national 3-peaks challenge as a way to challenge myself, and Challenge Central did not disappoint. The guides were supportive and welcoming from start to finish, and worked hard to make sure our experience went as well as smoothly as possible. The group I went with was great, everyone got along and supported each other. The experience itself was beyond words. The mountains were challenging but the views were rewarding. It was tough and the trek up Scafell Pike at 1am in the morning is one I will never forget. Then the feeling of accomplishment at the end is incredible. One amazing experience."
Mark, June 2017
"Central Challenge provided great preparation with their Kit List and emails leading up to the event. The mountain leader team managed a couple of challenges with clients that could have negatively impacted on the group with patience and skill. The buses were comfortable and well provisioned. I enjoyed the Challenge because I completed with their invaluable support. Thankyou."
Sunita, September 2016
"The Guides Phil and Tim were brilliant, giving us encouragement and support throughout the Challenge. I feel more confident about myself that I have done the Three Peaks Challenge. Thank you."
Nikki, August 2016
“I've had the most fantastic time on our 3 Peaks Challenge this weekend. Thank you so much Challenge Central for such a well organised trip from start to finish. The travel company and mountain guides couldn't have been better and an amazing bunch of lady participants made for an unforgettable, laughter filled adventure.”
If you would like to read other challenge testimonials from our previous participants, you can view them here.
Read our most popular trekking blogs:
24 Hour Peaks... is it possible?
3 Peaks Challenge - Should you attempt the 24 or 36 Hour pace?
Essentials for a trekkers rucksack
Does it PAY to pay for quality kit?
5 tips I wish I had known before taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge?
You can view all our blogs here.
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We strongly recommend anyone who has a medical condition should seek approval from their GP / Consultant before signing up to a challenge. When registering for the event, you are agreeing to be fit and healthy enough to take part.
The Health and safety of all participants and members of staff are paramount to us. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, we may require a letter from a medical professional stating that you are fit enough to undergo the activity. Please refer to 6.6 in our Terms & Conditions.
Physical fitness and walking experience are both very important however the ethos of Challenge Central is to take on a challenge, not to be the quickest. The 3 Peaks challenge is as tough mentally as it is physically. You will suffer from sleep deprivation, fatigue and possibly be faced with some rather challenging weather conditions, however these all help to make the 3 Peaks challenge such an amazing adventure! The weekend isn’t easy but it is fun, rewarding and challenging. If you are tough on the inside, your outside will catch up.
Preparation for the 3 Peaks challenge must be taken seriously and we encourage participants to undertake physical activity for at least 3 months before the event. All challengers will receive a plan to help support with their training.
Whatever format of 3 Peaks Challenge we are providing, we do have a responsibility to our challengers to maintain a reasonable pace as detailed under our routes tab on this page. Should any participants not be able to achieve this pace during the event, they will be asked to withdraw from parts of or the remaining sections of the challenge.
On the 24 hour challenge, a good and relevant marker is being able to summit a mountain of 1000m and return to sea level within four hours, although on the challenge weekend itself, we are attempting to complete three mountains at this pace!
The best and most relevant training you can do would be to walk up and down mountains or hills. We appreciate that this is not always possible due to location however anything with a gradient will help prepare you for the real thing.
If you do not have access to any hills then you can create your own in the gym. Walk up hills on the treadmill, take steps on the climber or go up and down stairs. Any movement that involves stepping up is beneficial. Failing the first two training options, the next best thing would be to improve the strength of muscles required in the challenge. Performing exercises such as squats, lunges and step ups will help increase the strength of your leg muscles. You can progress by holding weights to increase intensity. We recommend you speak to your gym instructor if you are unsure.
All our challenges can be booked for private groups and corporate events. We can alter most aspects of the itinerary to meet your requirements including more options for challenge dates and alternative meeting points. The group booking will be exclusive to you. Please contact us for more information.
We do not supply food on the trip however you will have access to hot water which can be used to heat foods such as soup, Quick Sports Meals and porridge. If you are completing the challenge within 24 hours, this would be restricted due to time constraints.
We recommend you bring food that is energy dense, light to carry and easy to eat on the mountains. We will be making regular stops at service stations whilst driving between mountains where you will be able to purchase food.
Of course not! In the past we have tried to keep participants together in large or small groups but have found that participants enjoy the challenge more if they can go at their own pace whether that be faster or slower than the average. No one is allowed to walk on their own but we do allow you to trek in smaller groups of 2 or more where applicable.
We will always have a leader right at the front and a mountain guide at the back of the group to show the way. Challengers are not permitted to overtake the front leader or fall behind the back guide. Commonly this results in 3 smaller groups; a front group, back group and one in the middle. No one will be forced to walk faster or slower than they are able to.
Yes, we are proud to be partnered with our minibus provider who ensures that our transport is safe, legal and fully insured.
A three-peaks challenge can be exhilarating but exhausting. When you are travelling between the peaks, we would like you to be as comfortable as possible. Our award-winning transportation provider uses the highest quality and largest vehicles in their class to ensure you have maximum space possible. The fleet of modern Mercedes Sprinter vehicles are all fully air conditioned, with individual aircraft style overhead blowers and reading lights. Ample heating can be piped into the rear for those cold nights. The comfortable leather seats each have their own USB charging points, so you can keep your devices charged up for that all-important photo of the summit! They even have Wi-Fi, so you can keep your friends and family updated with your progress. Hand luggage is stored on the overhead racks but your rucksacks and the challenge equipment is conveniently stored in the rear luggage compartment, leaving the aisleways clear. All vehicles are regularly inspected to the highest level and the fully qualified drivers are carefully selected for their knowledge of the UK roads and to support you alongside our Mountain team. Working within the legal framework of the DVSA Tachograph Rules, the driving team will maximise their driving allowance to provide a smooth running of our challenges.
We will provide enough tap water for the entire weekend however you of course can bring your own alternative sources of hydration with you. Keeping up your fluid intake is very important; before, during and after each mountain.
All challengers must be over the age of 18 (or 15 if accompanied by an adult taking part who will have full responsibility of the child during the trip).
As a guideline we would say Ben Nevis is 5 hours, Scafell Pike is 4 hours and Snowdon is 3 hours with the driving legs being capped at 11. An hour is set aside for transitions in / out of the vehicle.
Unfortunately, this is not a viable option due the routes we take up and down Snowdon as well as huge public demand for the train service.
Please check out Snowdon's Mountain Railway FAQ's for full details.
The challenge time finishes at the bottom of Snowdon.
Any lost property can be collected from our HQ in Letchworth, Hertfordshire or we can post the belongings out to you. If posted, please note you will be charged P&P plus a £10 admin fee in advance of the items being delivered. Please refer to 6.5 in our Terms & Conditions.
| Time before start of the challenge | Deposit refund |
| More than 3 Months | 50% Refund of Price Paid (excluding challenge deposit) OR Transfer to Another Event within 18 months (excluding challenge deposit) |
| Between 1-3 Months | 0% Refund HOWEVER Transfer to Another Event within 18 months (excluding challenge deposit) |
| Less than 1 Month | 0% Refund AND No Transfer |
Please refer to section 9 of our Terms & Conditions for full details.
Yes, Challenge Central have both public and employer liability cover from our Tour Operator insurance. This covers us for the costs of legal fees resulting from claims of negligence against Challenge Central. If you would like to view a copy, please get in contact.
Our insurance does not cover participants personally if Challenge Central is not at fault.