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National 3 Peaks Challenge (24 Hours)

108
United Kingdom
3 Days
£475 GBP
From£450 GBP
National 3 Peaks Challenge (24 Hours)
National 3 Peaks Challenge (24 Hours)
National 3 Peaks Challenge (24 Hours)
ON SALE: Save 5%
National 3 Peaks Challenge (24 Hours)
National 3 Peaks Challenge (24 Hours)

Hike the highest peak in England, Scotland and Wales. A tough but rewarding outdoor challenge that requires a high level of fitness to attempt to reach the summits within 24 hours.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Meet the team

You'll be collected from the train station, or one of the other pickup points (see FAQs below) on route to Fort William before heading to your hotel. In the evening you'll enjoy a briefing from the guide who will inform you of the plan for the challenge and answer any final questions you might have.

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Day 2: Hike Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike

After a hearty breakfast, you'll be transferred to the bottom of Ben Nevis where you start your 24-hour challenge. The aim is to summit Ben Nevis by 11:30 AM before heading back down the mountain for the transfer to the Lake District. We aim to begin the Scafell Pike ascent with a few hours of daylight left. You'll arrive at the start point around 8:30 PM. During the summer months, you’ll reach the summit as the sun sets across the Lake District. Once down the mountain, you’ll head straight to Snowdonia in Wales.

Please note: The walking pace is brisk to fast and the guide will be aiming for approximately 4km per hour in order to attempt the challenge within 24 hours.

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Day 3: Hike Snowdon

The transfer to Snowdon takes around 4.5 hours and includes a driver changeover. This transfer is through the night so you will be sleeping on the bus. Have a quick snack, then get some rest. You'll arrive at the foot of Snowdon around 5:30 am. You trek as the sun begins to rise, aiming to get to the summit at approximately 8 am to complete the challenge.

After the challenge, you'll be transferred to Chester Station or Warrington Station where you can continue your journey. The exact arrival time at the drop-off point can vary so we advise booking open rail tickets for your journey home, to be safe.

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What's Included

Included
  • Qualified UK mountain leaders.
  • Professional transport throughout the challenge.
  • Pickup/drop off from agreed locations.
  • 1 night, twin room accommodation (minimum 3* B&B) in Fort William. The second night is spent travelling in the bus to Snowdonia.
Not Included
  • Travel costs to/from the agreed pickup location.
  • Bottled and boiled water.
  • Meals and snacks.
  • Travel insurance.
Have a question?

If you have any questions about this trip or want to speak with an expert, get in touch.

We're ready to help.

Team Images
Team Images
Team Images

Rated 4.5

108 verified reviews

Martin
Martin

(Jun 2025)

Absolutely incredible weekend from pickup to drop off. So glad I booked this epic challenge and I met some incredible people in my group

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Ru
Ru

(Jun 2025)

Overall, the experience with Skyhook was outstanding — the challenge itself was incredible, the organisation leading up to the event was smooth, and the drivers of the bus were friendly and respectful. However, we were extremely let down by the guide assigned to our group. Unfortunately, Gary did not meet the level of competence or fitness we expected for such a demanding challenge. His pace was significantly below what was needed to complete the event within the 24-hour goal, and he appeared to struggle physically throughout. He openly admitted out of 20 attempts that he had only completed the challenge successfully a pitiful 3 times! More concerning was his decision-making during critical moments. He left one member of our group alone at the summit of Scafell Pike in appalling weather conditions — an action that, frankly, could have resulted in serious consequences. Additionally, on the descent, he took a wrong turn at a very straightforward junction despite suggestions from the group that we should have taken the left path along the river. His insistence led us to a hotel in the middle of nowhere, unnecessarily adding at least 30 minutes to our journey. While we understand that weather and fatigue can complicate things in the mountains, I expected a guide who was better equipped — physically and navigationally — to lead me safely and efficiently. This aspect significantly impacted my experience and is something I urge Skyhook to address for future groups.

Reply by Mountaineerin Ltd:
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We're really pleased to hear that you enjoyed the challenge overall and that the logistics and support leading up to the event went smoothly. ​We’re very sorry to hear that your experience with the guide fell short of expectations. This isn’t reflective of the high standards we set for our guiding team, who are typically highly experienced, professional, and well-equipped to support participants through demanding challenges like this one. We take this sort of feedback very seriously and are currently reviewing the situation in detail to ensure it’s properly addressed. Safety and professionalism are our top priorities, and we’re grateful you’ve taken the time to raise these concerns. It helps us improve and uphold the quality of our trips. Thank you again for your feedback, and well done on taking on such a tough challenge.
Dave
Dave

(Jun 2025)

I had a great time doing the National 3 Peaks Challenge. Fantastic experience, a real challenge and sense of achievement afterwards, it's given me the drive to do some more challenges in the same vein. Everything ran very smoothly, from the pick-ups and pre-challenge hotel stay to the challenge itself. Ours was a group of seven total strangers but the lot of us gelled and became a solid team very quickly. Richard was a brilliant and experienced guide, kept us on track and on pace while sharing his abundance of outdoor knowledge, and credit to our drivers Darren and Paul who kept us rolling between peaks. Highly recommended.

Csaba
Csaba

(May 2025)

Long story short: I Do NOT recommend it. The longer version: We were told in the description (and also in the emails) that we would be going at a pace that would allow us to complete the 24-hour challenge — and we trained for that too. Well, we failed pretty much the whole thing at the beginning, at Ben Nevis. We were nowhere near the advertised pace. Yes, we know there are always slower people in the groups, BUT we were held back several times. The whole thing was extra slow, very-very far from the original itinerary. Later, some people turned back at Scafell Pike, so we had a chance to achieve our goal. The most outrageous thing happened at Snowdon: the guide adjusted the pace to the people who had already dropped out of the challenge (because they didn't achieve the second summit), constantly sending them forward, while constantly holding back those still was in the challenge. We were told constantly, 'we are a team, we do this together'. Well, as far as I can see - the goal is also in the name of the announced program: to complete the 3 summits in 24 hours. That is why we paid hundreds of £. Not doing it for 26-27-28 hours, not for doing funny teambuilding event with those who dropped out earlier due to cardio problems. Ridiculous. Quoted from your page: 'The guide will aim to set a pace which the group can realistically attempt to complete the challenge within 24 hours. This will mean a relatively fast walk with minimal breaks of no more than a few minutes to drink, have a quick snack or catch your breath. If you are well off the pace or struggling, the guide may need to make a call as to whether you can continue the challenge.' It would be good to decide which policy you'll follow on future trips: 'If you can't keep up, please turn back', or 'Let's walk hand in hand, enjoying ourselves for 97 minutes longer than our itinerary recommends'. Communication: there is still a lot of room for improvement. We received a lot of automated emails before and after the tour, but we barely learned anything during the tour. Receiving a 4 week training plan 2 days before the start, that's a new level of something. The pick-up in Glasgow was adventurous. Two teams started, but there was no communication at all about it. Couple minutes before the pick-up, I was found myself in two different WA chats... different pick-up times+different places. Not bad, but not good either. Real-life communication during the tour was pretty much zero: During the challenge, we didn't get any specific answers from the guide (e.g. the schedule of the breaks for the next 5-6 hour bus rides, or which way we climb on Scafell Pike)... the whole thing is frivolous. It’s a bit disappointing to get multiple generic emails, but not a single follow-up from the guide — even a brief note from Skyhook addressed to our group would have meant a lot. Final thoughts. Quoting your guide: 'It's not the end of the world if we don't make it.' Well, maybe not — if you're doing this 7 or 8 times a season. But for us, this attitude is deeply disappointing. Several of us traveled from abroad to take part. This wasn’t just a two-hour train ride and a casual drop-off at the pub of the station. We can only hope he enjoyed his beer, since we didn’t get what we came for.

Reply by Mountaineerin Ltd:
Hi Csaba, Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback, and for joining us on the National 3 Peaks Challenge. We’re really sorry to hear that the experience didn’t meet your expectations, especially after all the training and preparation you put in. We completely understand how frustrating it must have been to feel held back and to miss the 24-hour goal — particularly when you felt capable of achieving it. As with all Skyhook adventures, this is an open-group trip, and as you noted, pacing can be complex. While guides aim to keep the group moving at a pace that allows for a 24-hour finish, their first priority must be group safety. There are points on the mountains where it’s no longer safe for individuals to go ahead or descend alone, meaning the guide must manage the group as a whole. Unfortunately, this can sometimes result in faster participants being affected by the overall group pace — something we know can be disappointing. For this reason, we try to make it as clear as possible on the trip page that while completing the challenge in under 24 hours is the goal, it can’t be guaranteed. A number of factors — including group dynamics, fitness levels, traffic, and weather — can all have an impact. Your feedback on communication, pre-trip clarity, and the pacing experience is very much appreciated, and we’re already in discussion with the operator about ways to improve this moving forward. Thank you again for your honest and constructive feedback. We’re really sorry the trip didn’t meet your expectations, but your comments will help us improve the experience for future participants.
Matt
Matt

(May 2025)

Outstanding Experience with Skyhook – 3 Peaks in 24 Hours! Taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge with Skyhook was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. From start to finish, the team was professional, organized, and incredibly supportive. The guides were knowledgeable, encouraging, and knew exactly how to keep us motivated and on track through some tough climbs and tight timeframes. Each peak – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – presented its own unique challenge, but Skyhook's planning and logistics were spot-on. The transportation was smooth and comfortable, rest breaks were well-timed, and safety was clearly their top priority throughout. What really stood out was the team atmosphere they created. It didn’t feel like just a hike – it felt like an adventure shared with like-minded people, backed by a company that truly knows what they’re doing. Whether you're an experienced hiker or taking on something like this for the first time, Skyhook delivers an incredible experience. Highly recommend to anyone looking to push their limits with the confidence of expert support!

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FAQs

Before you go

You need to be in good physical shape to participate in this trip. The National Three Peaks Challenge includes climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours, so it is tough going! However, you don’t require any mountaineering experience.

The guide will aim to set a pace that is necessary to complete the challenge within 24 hours. It should be noted that there will be minimal time for breaks and this is not a leisurely walking pace. Cut-off times may be implemented for legal reasons to do with driver's hours or to benefit the majority of the group. This decision is at the discretion of the guide during the event.

See inclusions and exclusions above.

Clothing Items:

- walking boots that are waterproof with ankle support (good boots are required for participation, if you are unsure message us)
- walking trousers (lightweight and not denim/jeans)
- t-shirt/base layer (cotton is best avoided for better moisture management)
- fleece/jumper (lightweight fleece such as microfleece is best)
- thick walking socks
- hat
- gloves
- waterproof Trousers (essential regardless of weather forecast)
- waterproof Jacket (essential regardless of weather forecast)
- Gaiters (Optional)

Hiking gear:

- personal 1st Aid Kit including blister plasters and any personal medication/inhalers etc.
- head Torch with new batteries (required for participation)
- small rucksack of 25L Max (2 shoulder straps, waist belts are beneficial)
- food/snacks (cereal bars, nuts, bananas, and pasta are all good )
- at least 1.5l water pr mountain (any energy drinks taken should be in addition to water to avoid dehydration)
- walking Poles (optional but beneficial for descents)
- camera

Additional items to be left on the vehicle:

- travel pillow
- additional food and drinks for in-between mountains (pasta, sandwiches, snacks etc.)
- comfortable travel clothes and an extra set of walking clothes (in case one set gets wet)
- ear plugs and eye mask

The above list is not exhaustive, you may have additional items you may wish to bring with you. Keep in mind that you will be carrying your own bag and it's beneficial to pack light. Please note that space is often limited in the bus, this should be considered when packing.

Typically groups are no more than 10 with one guide for each group. Please note that if there are more than 10 booked on a trip we will split the group. If you have booked with friends or family, please let us know so that we group you together.

YES! We require that all clients have good hiking boots. Waterproofing is highly recommended.

Please be advised that we reserve the right to turn you away from this challenge if you do not have suitable footwear. We also cannot take any responsibility for injuries or failure to complete this challenge caused by inappropriate shoe choices.

The terrain on all 3 mountains is rocky and very slippy when wet. Given the nature of the trip with people progressively getting more fatigued, boots reduce the risk of strains, sprains or worse. An ankle injury is not always a major problem however, it can pose significant logistical issues and impact the success of the entire group.

Yes - It’s highly recommended you take out personal travel insurance. Travel cover protects you in the case of unforeseen circumstances including cancellations, injuries, equipment loss, flight changes, problems with public transport and other events that could negatively impact your trip.

We can't make official recommendations as insurance is a regulated industry in the UK. However, we suggest specialist adventure travel insurers like, Rise & Shield. They cover 100s of activities and are easy to deal with if you need to make a claim. They also cover unique scenarios, like trekking at altitude or emergency evacuation in hard-to-reach places, that ordinary travel insurance doesn’t cover.

Many of our clients also use the British Mountaineering Council (BMC).
On your trip

The guide will aim to set a pace which the group can realistically attempt to complete the challenge within 24 hours. This will mean a relatively fast walk with minimal breaks of no more than a few minutes to drink, have a quick snack or catch your breath. If you are well off the pace or struggling, the guide may need to make a call as to whether you can continue the challenge.

If you have concerns about your fitness levels or would like to take a little longer to complete the 3 peaks at a more leisurely pace, we recommend that you consider the National 3 Peaks -3 Days trip (also available through Skyhook).

Accommodation in Fort William is in twin rooms. Sharing a room is a great way to get to know your fellow trekkers.

A single supplement in Fort William is sometimes possible (subject to availability). This needs to be requested before arrival. You can chat with the guide on your Skyhook dashboard. Single supplements cost £100pp. You need to pay this direct to the 3-Peaks Team, before the event.

This challenge includes a driving distance of around 725km / 450 miles. This means we spend around 10 hours on the road, most of that at night. This leaves us with 14 hours (maximum) to complete the ascent and descent of the 3 mountains within the 24-hour challenge limit.

Day 1:

10:30 AM - Pick up in Warrington or Northwest agreed location (if needed)
3:00 PM - Pick up Glasgow Central Station or/and International Airport (if needed)
3:30 PM - Transfer to hotel/B&B
6:00 PM - Arrive at hotel
8:00 PM - Challenge briefing and Q&A session

Day 2:

7:00 AM - Breakfast
8:00 AM - Transfer to Ben Nevis start point
8:15 AM - Final preparation
8:30 AM - Start challenge (Begin Ben Nevis)
11:30 AM - Summit Ben Nevis
1:30 PM - Transfer to Wasdale Head (transfer includes a 45-minute maximum driver rest stop. This is a VOSA legal requirement)
8:30 PM - Begin Scafell Pike ascent
11:00 PM - Summit Scafell Pike
1:00 AM - Transfer to Pen y Pass

Day 3:

1:00 AM - Transfer to Pen y pass
5:30 AM - Begin Snowdon ascent
8:00 AM - Summit Snowdon
9:30 AM - Complete challenge at Pen y pass
10:00 AM - Transfer to drop off point

Note that although our drivers and guides do their best to stick with the itinerary, weather & road conditions, group dynamics and other factors beyond the team's control do need to be taken into consideration and can affect these times.

The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3064 metres (10,052ft). Ben Nevis is the highest point reached at 1,344m.

Please choose your preferred pick-up location on your trip form after booking (it's on your dashboard).

Pick ups are:
* Birchwood Centre/Train Station Car Park 3 (WA3 7PU) - You can leave a car here for £10 for 5 days* - 10:15am
* Warrington Bank Quay - 10:30am
* Glasgow Central - 15:00pm
* Glasgow Intl Airport - 15:30pm

Drop offs are:
* Chester Station
* Warrington Bank Quay
* Birchwood Centre/Train Station Car Park 3 (WA3 7PU) - If you left your car here you will be returned at the end of the challenge

We only stop at each if required obviously. 

*Prices correct at time of publication

Although we aim to complete the challenge on time (between 8:30-9:30 AM) times can vary depending on the speed of the group.

We cannot guarantee drop-off times and strongly advise that you either pay on the day for train tickets or book an anytime ticket

Meals and water are not included on this trip. The key is to eat small amounts and often. Make sure you bring enough food and snacks for 3 mountains. Energy bars, dried fruit and nuts, sandwiches and prepared pasta work well.

For water, you will need to have at least 1.5l for each mountain (minimum 4.5l total). Any energy drinks should be in addition to this, to prevent dehydration. You will only need to carry enough water for each mountain at any time, the rest can be left in the vehicle. Do not rely on being able to refill your bottle at the start of each ascent.
Other FAQs

You must be at least 18 years old to do the 3 Peaks Challenge.

Although our guides do their best to set a brisk pace and complete the challenge within the 24hr mark (and usually do), this is unfortunately not possible to guarantee. Weather conditions, participant fitness and health as well as other factors beyond our control have an impact on challenge time.

For this reason we ask that guests please take responsibility for their own fitness and show up having trained for the challenge and in good physical shape. This is for your own benefit as well as that of the other guests on the trip.

Ben Nevis - From and returning to the Ben Nevis Visitors Centre via the Pony/Tourist Track

Scafell Pike - From and returning to Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue and Lingmell Col

Snowdon - From Pen y Pass via the PYG track, returning to Llanberis via the Llanberis Path. This is a linear route.

Note: on occasion we do opt to use alternative routes for various reasons.
Your head guide is Simon

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip you'll be led by Simon and the guiding team based in Warrington.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Simon

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