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The National Three Peaks challenge involves approximately 462 miles of driving and 23 miles of hiking – a logistical undertaking that often means a cramped minibus, a sleepless night and several motorway service stations.
Tens of thousands of walkers attempt the challenge each year. For many it's a memorable taste of Britain's peaks – but that popularity comes at a cost. The challenge has received a fair amount of criticism over the years. Groups rushing to beat the clock contribute little to the local economies they pass through, whilst some leave litter on the mountains, stray from established paths and drive dangerously on rural roads.
What if you want the sprit of the challenge without the midnight motorway miles? The good news is that Britain's hills offer more than enough raw material, from alternative challenges to different schedules and mountains. Here’s where to start.
Alternative challenges
The Welsh 3000ers
This mix of ridge-walking and high-mountain wandering over Wales' 15 highest peaks, from Snowdon to the Carneddau, is usually tackled over one day.
Most people attempting the Welsh 3000s challenge tackle it from south to north – starting on the Snowdon range and finishing on Foel-fras in the Carneddau range – but it can be done in either direction. Fitness is key, as is a plan that involves start times, refuelling stops and the ability to stay flexible with dates to suit the weather.
With 3600m of ascent and two deep valleys to sort the wheat from the chaff endurance-wise, the it's a superb mountain challenge for experienced walkers. Due to its difficulty many split it over a weekend.
Yorkshire Three Peaks
The second most famous Three Peaks Challenge, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, takes in three sentinels: Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. Each present their own challenges, but we wouldn't say any of them are particularly tough for the average hillwalker.
The toughest bit is more the 23 miles walked between them. Most aim for 12 hours. As a walking exercise, the Y3P is a lot less heavy on the carbon footprint than the National Three Peaks.
Ten Tors Challenge
Set among the rock ‘tors’ of Dartmoor, this DIY challenge (traditionally an army-marshalled event for teenagers) involves choosing ten tors from a list of a possible 18 to link in a walk of 35-55 miles. Often conducted as an organised event, it’s typically broken by a wild camp and the target time is 34 hours.
Alternative schedules
Three days
Doing the Three Peaks Challenge over three days makes a lot more sense than trying to cram it all into 24 hours, yet it’s no pushover. You’ll still be covering a hefty mileage in a short space of time and driving long distances during unsociable hours – but the difference is you’ll have a hot meal and a bed to curl up in between the three mountains.
This allows you to sleep beneath and immerse yourself in the unique atmospheres of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon for a bit longer than you otherwise would have, and enjoy the ascents of each at a rather more appreciative pace.
One week
Take a week and your challenge becomes a ‘grand tour’ of the UK’s greatest mountain ranges. Over seven days you can explore the surrounding areas, such as Glen Coe and the west coast in Scotland, the western Lake District and Snowdonia.
If the weather is looking fickle you can give yourself more chance of getting good views by picking the best days; or if it’s looking promising all week you could even climb each mountain twice by different routes. Which, if anything, gives you more potential for fundraising – as well as doubling your ascent figures.
Alternative mountains
If you’re the sort who likes to make the less obvious choice – and you’ve got a decent amount of mountain experience under your belt – then why not create your own event?
The mountains we’ve chosen all lie within the rough orbit of the 24-hour Three Peaks Challenge, so they should be suitable. However, as there are 8,000 potential combinations here, we can’t actually vouch for all of them.
Providing they’re within relative striking distance of each other, there’s nothing to stop you choosing three completely different mountains as the focus of your Three Peaks Challenge.
For convenience
Foel-fras, Blencathra and Ben Lomond. These are the most conveniently located of their respective countries, in that they sit just off the main thoroughfares that serve them. Ben Lomond is a bit of a fiddle, but it is also Scotland’s most southerly Munro.
For lovers of big mountains
Carnedd Llewelyn, Helvellyn and Ben Lawers. The highest peaks on their respective lists (and the second, third and, er, tenth highest in their respective countries) – and splendid mountains all.
For those who like pointy things
Tryfan, Grisedale Pike and Meall nan Tarmachan. Shapely, sharp and beloved of scramblers, these are sure to test more than just your legs – so don’t rush.
Alternative modes of transport
Boat
No, it’s not a joke. In fact it’s rather popular to sail between the Three Peaks, and there are several organised challenges conducted each year. The most popular is the Three Peaks Yacht Race, which has been going since 1977.
Being relatively coastal, the mountains lend themselves well to triathalon-style attempts and the typical yacht challenge – docking at Caernarfon in Wales, Whitehaven in Cumbria and Fort William in the Highlands – involves 389 miles of coastal sailing, 18 miles of cycling and 72 miles of running.
Bike
Even more environmentally sound than boating, biking between the Three Peaks has become more popular in recent years. The cycle covers around 42km running and 670km on the road, and there's no set route.
The time it takes to cover the distance will depend on your level of fitness, but the record stands at 32 hours 10 minutes, set in 2021 by Angus Young. The experienced cyclist completed the challenge with the help of a dedicated support crew, following months of preparation.
Rail
It is possible to climb the Three Peaks linking most of the journey by rail, though it’s by no means straightforward – and it makes sense to tackle it south to north. The nearest mainline station to Snowdon is Bangor, and to Scafell Pike it’s Ravenglass – so connections must be made and planned from these stations to the foot of each mountain.
The overnight train to Fort William can be utilised for heading north, but to cover the distance from the station to the base of Ben Nevis you’ll need some sort of transportation. A bus or a bike are obvious options, but you’ll have to spread the challenge over three days or a week to make it work.
The Railway Children charity organise a rail-based Three Peaks Challenge if you’d rather someone else took care of the planning, and Ronald Turnbull describes a public transport Three Peaks Challenge in his book Three Peaks, Ten Tors.
About the author
This article was compiled by LFTO digital writer Evie Nichols, with words from Simon Ingram, a former Trail magazine and National Geographic Online editor. Simon is also the author of two critically acclaimed hillwalking books – Between the Sunset and the Sea and The Black Ridge – and has written for the Guardian and Times among many others.
