The UK Three Peaks Challenge: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon
- MaJa
- Aug 20
- 16 min read
Thinking about taking on the UK's Three Peaks? Here's what we learned from climbing Ben Nevis and Snowdon, plus the practical information you need to know about Scafell Pike, parking, routes, accommodation, timings and the famous 24-hour challenge.
There are some travel plans that look wonderfully straightforward when you're sitting at home looking at a map.
The UK Three Peaks was one of ours.
Ben Nevis.
Scafell Pike.
Snowdon.
Three mountains.
Three countries.
One enormous challenge.
Except... our version didn't quite go according to plan.
We drove up to Scotland with the intention of tackling Ben Nevis, heading down to the Lake District for Scafell Pike, and finishing in Wales with Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).
We successfully climbed two.
Ben Nevis nearly broke me.
Scafell Pike never happened.
And Snowdon was a completely different experience.
But perhaps that's exactly why I'm writing this.
Because if you're considering the Three Peaks Challenge, you don't just need to know the heights and distances.
You need to know what it actually feels like.
How much recovery you might need.
How much the weather matters.
Where you can park.
Where you might want to stay.
And perhaps most importantly:
You don't have to complete all three in 24 hours to experience them.
So here's everything I'd want to know before attempting the UK's Three Peaks - including what we learned the hard way.
What is the UK Three Peaks Challenge?
The National Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest mountain in each of the UK's three mainland countries:
🏴 Ben Nevis, Scotland - 1,345m
🏴 Scafell Pike, England - 978m
🏴 Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa, Wales - 1,085m
The traditional challenge is to complete all three within 24 hours.
That sounds difficult enough.
But there's an important detail:
The 24 hours includes the travelling between the mountains.
The commonly quoted challenge figures are approximately:
23 miles (37km) of walking
3,064m of total ascent
462 miles of driving
all within the 24-hour challenge window.
And that is what makes the National Three Peaks Challenge so much more than simply climbing three mountains.
You're combining:
mountain walking + driving + limited rest + fatigue + changing weather + time pressure.
So if you're looking at those figures and thinking, 'That sounds absolutely insane...'
You're not wrong.
The Three Peaks at a glance
🏔️ Ben Nevis | ⛰️ Scafell Pike | 🏔️ Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa | |
Country | Scotland | England | Wales |
Height | 1,345m | 978m | 1,085m |
Country's highest | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Typical challenge route | Mountain Track | Wasdale route | Varies |
Terrain | Rocky mountain path | Steep, rocky & rough | Varies by route |
Official route difficulty | Challenging | Tough | Hard/Strenuous |
Our experience | 9h 35m | Not completed | 6h 18m |
Would we do it again? | Ask me later 😂 | Still to be decided | Yes |
Important: route choice makes a significant difference to distance, terrain and timing, so there isn't one universal walking time for each mountain.
Ben Nevis - Scotland
Height: 1,345m
Our time: 9 hours 35 minutes
Our route: Mountain Track
Our verdict: Much harder than expected
Let's start with Ben Nevis.
Because this was the mountain that taught me (Ma) the biggest lesson of the entire trip:
Do not underestimate a mountain because it has a popular route.
Ben Nevis is Scotland's highest mountain and the highest of the three.
The most commonly used route for walkers is the Mountain Track, sometimes still referred to as the Tourist Route or Pony Track.
And that name can be misleading.
The route is the simplest and most popular way to reach the summit, but it is absolutely not an easy walk. The Mountain Track rises from Glen Nevis and eventually climbs onto the rocky upper slopes of Ben Nevis.
And I learned that the hard way.
Ma's Ben Nevis experience
We drove to Scotland and based ourselves literally at the foot of Ben Nevis.
We stayed for two nights at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park, in one of their camping pods.
I'll be honest: Camping isn't usually my thing.
But for this trip, convenience won.
Being so close to the mountain meant we could wake up, get ourselves organised and head straight out without having a long drive before starting what was already going to be a huge day.
And then we climbed.
And...
It was a nightmare for me 😂
I genuinely don't think I appreciated what I had signed myself up for.
Jamie, on the other hand, knew what he was getting into.
This was his fourth time climbing Ben Nevis.
It was my first.
And our experiences were very, very different.
How long does Ben Nevis take?
A typical summer ascent via the Mountain Track is often around 3½-4½ hours to the summit, with approximately 2½-3½ hours for the descent, depending on fitness, weather and breaks.
Which means a rough total of 6-8 hours isn't unusual.
But here's the important part:
That's a guide - not a deadline.
Our total time was: 9 hours 35 minutes
From base to summit and back to base.
And that included the reality of my first Ben Nevis experience:
lots of stopping
struggling physically
struggling mentally
tears
a very slow descent
and legs that were completely finished by the end
At one point, my brain was telling me 'keep going'
My legs had other ideas.
By the end I was crying.
Not because I hadn't reached the top.
Because I was absolutely exhausted.
And when we finally made it back down?
I couldn't walk properly.
For three to four days afterwards.
What Ben Nevis taught me
If you're reading this because you're planning your first mountain, please don't compare your expected time with someone else's.
You might see people saying: 'We did Ben Nevis in five hours.'
That doesn't mean you should.
Your fitness.
Your pace.
Your experience.
Your weather.
Your breaks.
Your mental state.
All matter.
And if it takes you nine hours?
It takes you nine hours.
The mountain doesn't care about your Strava time.
🦟 And then there were the midges...
We visited in July 2026.
And the midges were...
HORRENDOUS.
I'm not exaggerating.
If you're hiking in Scotland during midge season, take them seriously.
Bring repellent and consider a head net if conditions are particularly bad.
Because the last thing you want after battling your way up Scotland's highest mountain is to spend your breaks being eaten alive.
🅿️ Ben Nevis parking
There are several parking options around Glen Nevis, including the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre car park, Glen Nevis Road End and Achintee.
Current Highland Council information lists the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre as a pay-and-display car park, with charges applying during the day; the current published tariff should always be checked before travelling, as parking arrangements and prices can change.
If you're using the Mountain Track, make sure you know exactly where you're starting from before you arrive.
And don't assume that because you're staying nearby, you can simply leave your car wherever is convenient.
Where we stayed for Ben Nevis
Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park
We stayed in a camping pod for two nights.
Would I normally choose this type of accommodation?
Probably not.
But for this particular trip, the location was incredibly convenient.
We were right at the foot of Ben Nevis, which meant we weren't adding unnecessary driving around our hiking day.
Would I recommend doing something similar?
If your priority is climbing Ben Nevis:
Absolutely consider staying in Glen Nevis.
The less faffing around you have to do before a huge hiking day, the better.
Scafell Pike - England
Height: 978m
Country's highest mountain: ✅
Our experience: We didn't make it.
And this is where our carefully planned Three Peaks adventure fell apart.
After Ben Nevis, we travelled down to the Lake District and based ourselves at:
Irton Hall, Holmrook
We had two nights booked.
The plan was simple:
Recover from Ben Nevis → climb Scafell Pike → continue to Wales.
Except...
I couldn't walk.
Seriously.
My legs were done.
After 9 hours and 35 minutes on Ben Nevis, I needed considerably more recovery time than we'd anticipated.
So our two-night Lake District stay became exactly that:
Two nights of recovery.
No Scafell Pike.
And honestly?
I'm glad we didn't force it.
Don't underestimate recovery
This is probably the biggest thing I'd change if planning the Three Peaks again.
When you're looking at a challenge on paper, it's easy to think:
Mountain → drive → mountain → drive → mountain.
But your body doesn't necessarily work like that.
A huge mountain day can leave you feeling fine that evening and then completely broken the next morning.
And if you've never climbed one of these mountains before, you simply don't know how your body is going to respond.
Build recovery into your plans.
Especially if you're doing the mountains separately rather than attempting the traditional 24-hour challenge.
What is Scafell Pike actually like?
Although we didn't climb it ourselves, Scafell Pike should absolutely not be treated as the 'little one' because it is the lowest of the three.
At 978m, Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain.
The National Trust describes the climb as a tough, steep hike involving difficult rocky terrain, with conditions potentially including high winds, rain, snow, extreme cold and poor visibility.
The most direct route from Wasdale starts at Lake Head car park, next to the Wasdale campsite, and the National Trust describes this as the most straightforward direct route.
The route is approximately 5.6km each way, according to the National Trust's route information.
But don't let that relatively short distance fool you.
Shorter doesn't necessarily mean easier.
Scafell Pike involves steep, rocky terrain and navigation can become particularly challenging in poor weather.
🅿️ Scafell Pike parking
If you're planning to climb via Wasdale, the Lake Head car park is one of the main starting points.
Current details from the National Trust:
Lake Head Car Park
📍 CA20 1EX
🅿️ Pay and display
🚻 Toilets available
🥾 Direct access towards Scafell Pike
The National Trust currently lists all-day parking at Lake Head at £10, although prices can change, so check before travelling.
One very important thing:
There is no overnight parking at the National Trust car parks in Wasdale.
And don't simply assume you can park along the road if the car park is full.
The valley roads are narrow and busy, and the National Trust specifically asks visitors not to obstruct roads or access.
Where to stay for Scafell Pike
Irton Hall, Holmrook
📍 Holmrook, CA19 1TA
For us, it became an accidental recovery base rather than a hiking base.
And honestly?
That was probably for the best.
If you're planning Scafell Pike, I'd look for accommodation within easy reach of your chosen trailhead rather than focusing solely on the accommodation itself.
Ask yourself:
How far is it from the mountain?
Is parking available?
Can I get food nearby?
Can I get an early breakfast?
How easy is it to reach the trailhead?
After a full day in the mountains, these things matter.
Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa - Wales
Height: 1,085m
Our time: 6 hours 18 minutes
Our route: Pyg Track up → Miners' Track down
Our verdict: Much more enjoyable.
And then came Wales.
After my Ben Nevis experience, I'll admit I wasn't exactly full of confidence.
But we based ourselves in Llandudno for two nights at the lovely Escape Boutique B&B, which I'd already written about in my Llandudno travel article.
And the following day?
We drove to Snowdon.
Our Snowdon route
We started from Pen y Pass and climbed via the:
Pyg Track
Then returned via:
Miners' Track
This worked beautifully for us because we got to experience two of the classic routes rather than simply walking up and down the same path.
The Pyg Track is one of the shorter routes to the summit, but Eryri National Park classifies it as Hard/Strenuous and specifically warns that it is rocky with several steep climbs.
The Miners' Track is also classified as Hard/Strenuous, with a steep and rocky upper section.
So don't make the mistake of thinking: 'Snowdon is easier because it's popular'.
It is still a mountain.
How long did Snowdon take us?
Our total time was: 6 hours 18 minutes
And that included:
the climb
reaching the summit
a short break
a longer lunch break at the top
and the descent
So our time was comfortably within the National Park's indicative six-hour duration for the Pyg and Miners' Tracks.
But again:
Don't treat six hours as a target.
The National Park's timings are indicative.
Your own time will depend on fitness, weather, congestion and how long you spend at the summit.
And the weather made ALL the difference
Our Snowdon experience was completely different from Ben Nevis.
The weather was beautiful.
It was still busy.
But it was enjoyable.
We could actually see the landscape around us.
We could stop for photographs.
We could have lunch at the top.
And, most importantly, I didn't spend the entire day wondering whether my legs were going to give up.
It was still hard.
But it felt manageable.
And that taught me something important:
The same mountain can feel completely different depending on the conditions.
🅿️ Pen y Pass parking: READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO
This is one of the most important practical points in the whole article.
Pen y Pass is extremely popular.
And parking is controlled.
The National Park currently operates pre-book parking at Pen y Pass during the main visitor season, with exact dates subject to change.
So if you want to park there:
Check the current arrangements and book ahead.
Don't simply turn up expecting to find a space.
There is also the Sherpa'r Wyddfa bus service, which connects Pen y Pass with places including Llanberis and Nant Peris, providing an alternative to driving directly to the trailhead.
And please don't park along the road.
Parking on the road leading to Pen y Pass is prohibited and actively monitored. Vehicles have been towed where they obstruct traffic.
Pyg Track vs Miners' Track
If you're considering doing what we did, here's the basic difference.
Pyg Track
11km return
Approx. 6 hours
Hard/Strenuous
Rocky and steep.
The National Park describes it as one of the shortest yet most rugged and challenging routes to the summit.
Miners' Track
13km return
Approx. 6 hours
Hard/Strenuous
Starts more gently around the lakes before becoming steep and rocky towards the summit.
Our route:
Up Pyg → summit → down Miners'.
And we'd happily do it that way again.
⚠️ One important warning about the Pyg Track
The Pyg Track passes close to Crib Goch.
And this is where you need to know the difference between the Pyg Track and Crib Goch itself.
They are NOT the same thing.
Crib Goch is an extremely exposed, technical knife-edge ridge and should only be attempted by experienced mountain walkers.
The National Park specifically warns that it is a serious mountaineering undertaking, particularly in poor conditions.
If you're simply climbing Yr Wyddfa via the Pyg Track:
Do not accidentally follow the route towards Crib Goch.
Which of the Three Peaks is hardest?
This is probably one of the questions people ask most.
And unfortunately:
There isn't one universal answer.
Difficulty depends on:
route
weather
fitness
experience
pace
terrain
fatigue
how much you're carrying
and whether you're doing it as part of the 24-hour challenge
Based on our experience?
For me, Ben Nevis was by far the hardest.
But that doesn't mean Ben Nevis is objectively the hardest mountain.
It was my first.
It took us 9h35.
I was exhausted.
And my legs needed several days to recover.
Snowdon took us 6h18 and was considerably more enjoyable.
But we also had much better weather.
And we'd already learned a lot from Ben Nevis.
So don't use our experience as a universal ranking.
Instead:
Ben Nevis: longest-feeling day for me.
Scafell Pike: potentially very tough despite being the lowest.
Snowdon: still strenuous, but our experience was more enjoyable.
Can you really do all three in 24 hours?
Yes. That's the challenge.
But:
It is a serious undertaking.
The traditional National Three Peaks Challenge involves approximately:
37km of walking
3,064m ascent
462 miles driving
24 hours total
including the travel between mountains.
And that means you're not simply asking: 'Can I climb three mountains?'
You're asking: 'Can I climb three mountains while travelling hundreds of miles between them, within a strict time limit, while dealing with fatigue and potentially changing weather?'
That's a very different question.
🚐 The driving is part of the challenge
This is something that can easily get overlooked.
You aren't walking continuously from Scotland to England to Wales.
You're driving between the mountains.
And the traditional challenge involves around 462 miles of driving.
That means planning matters enormously.
You'll need to think about:
who is driving
when you'll drive
where you'll stop
fuel
food
toilets
navigation
weather
traffic
rest
and what happens if one mountain takes longer than expected
And that's before you've even considered how you're feeling physically.
Do you need to be extremely fit?
You don't necessarily need to be an elite athlete.
But you do need to take the challenge seriously.
The individual mountains are challenging in their own right.
And the 24-hour version adds:
fatigue + time pressure + driving + limited recovery.
If you're planning your own challenge, train for more than just distance.
I'd include:
🥾 Long walks Build up your endurance.
⛰️ Hills Flat-distance training won't completely prepare you for sustained ascent and descent.
🎒 Walking with your actual kit Don't discover on challenge day that your boots rub or your backpack drives you mad.
🦵 Strength Especially your legs.
Because, speaking from experience...
descending a mountain can absolutely destroy your legs.
What should you take?
For a serious mountain day, I'd rather have something in my bag and not need it than discover I need it halfway up.
Essentials
sturdy hiking boots
waterproof jacket
waterproof trousers
warm layers
hat
gloves
plenty of water
food/snacks
phone
power bank
map/navigation
first-aid essentials
headtorch
emergency whistle
sun protection
spare socks
And depending on the season and conditions, you may need additional specialist equipment.
The weather on these mountains can be very different from the weather in the valley.
🌦️ Check the mountain weather - not just the town
This is another big one.
You can leave your accommodation in glorious sunshine and find completely different conditions higher up.
Mountain Rescue organisations repeatedly emphasise the importance of checking the weather, knowing your route and carrying appropriate equipment.
So don't look at: 'Weather in Fort William'
and assume that's what you'll experience on Ben Nevis.
Check the mountain conditions.
And be prepared to change your plans.
Where should you stay for the Three Peaks?
If you're doing the mountains individually like we did, I'd strongly recommend staying as close to each mountain as practical.
Ben Nevis
We stayed at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park, which was incredibly convenient.
Scafell Pike
We stayed at Irton Hall in Holmrook.
We didn't climb Scafell Pike, but the Lake District base worked well for the area.
Snowdon
We stayed in Llandudno at Escape Boutique B&B, which we loved.
It also gave us the chance to enjoy Llandudno itself rather than treating Wales purely as a mountain stop.
I've written more about our Llandudno stay here:
🗓️ How I'd plan the Three Peaks differently
If I were planning our trip again, I would not assume that climbing one mountain means I'll automatically be ready for another one the next day.
I'd build the itinerary around recovery.
Something like:
Day 1 Travel to Scotland
Day 2 Ben Nevis
Day 3 Recovery / travel
Day 4 Scafell Pike
Day 5 Recovery / travel
Day 6 Snowdon
Day 7 Travel home
Obviously, this isn't how you'd structure the traditional 24-hour challenge.
But if your goal is: 'I want to climb all three mountains'
rather than: 'I want to complete the official 24-hour challenge'
then I'd much rather give myself time to actually enjoy them.
Our Three Peaks reality check
Our original plan looked great on paper.
Ben Nevis → Scafell Pike → Snowdon.
What actually happened?
Ben Nevis
Completed.
9h35.
Tears.
Destroyed legs.
Midges everywhere.
Scafell Pike
Didn't happen.
Because I physically wasn't recovered enough.
Snowdon
Completed.
6h18.
Beautiful weather.
Lunch at the summit.
Much more enjoyable.
And you know what?
I'm actually okay with that.
Because travel doesn't always go according to plan.
And neither does adventure.
💭 What I wish I'd known before Ben Nevis
If I could go back and talk to myself before this trip, I'd say:
Don't underestimate the mountain.
Don't compare your time to someone else's.
Don't assume you'll be recovered the next day.
Don't forget that descending is hard too.
Don't let the word 'Tourist Track' fool you.
Take more food than you think you'll need.
Take the weather seriously.
And don't be embarrassed if you need to stop.
Because reaching the summit isn't the only achievement.
Getting yourself safely back down is part of the climb.
Would I do the Three Peaks again?
This is where I'm undecided.
Would I climb Snowdon again?
Absolutely.
Would I climb Ben Nevis again?
Ask me when my legs have forgotten what happened.
Would I finally tackle Scafell Pike?
Yes.
Because now it's unfinished business.
And perhaps that's the point.
Our trip wasn't the perfect Three Peaks Challenge.
But it gave us something better for this article:
real experience.
We learned what happens when you underestimate recovery.
We learned how different two mountains can feel.
We learned that weather can completely change your experience.
And we learned that sometimes the smartest decision is knowing when not to continue.
🏔️ So... should you attempt the UK Three Peaks?
If you've been thinking about it, I'd say:
Yes - but prepare properly.
Don't do it simply because it sounds impressive.
Do it because you genuinely want the challenge.
And understand that the challenge isn't only the mountains.
It's:
the preparation.
the walking.
the driving.
the fatigue.
the weather.
the logistics.
and keeping yourself safe.
If you decide that 24 hours isn't for you, there's absolutely nothing wrong with tackling the three mountains separately.
In fact, that's what we'd recommend if you want time to actually enjoy each one.
📍 Our Three Peaks checklist
Before you go, make sure you've thought about:
🥾 The mountain
☐ Which route are you taking?
☐ How long is it?
☐ What is the terrain like?
☐ Is your fitness suitable?
🌦️ The weather
☐ Mountain forecast checked
☐ Ground conditions checked
☐ Backup plan considered
🚗 Parking
☐ Car park identified
☐ Booking required?
☐ Opening/charging information checked
☐ Alternative transport considered
🛏️ Accommodation
☐ Close enough to trailhead
☐ Parking available
☐ Food nearby
☐ Early breakfast/checkout considered
🎒 Your kit
☐ Waterproofs
☐ Hiking boots
☐ Layers
☐ Food
☐ Water
☐ Navigation
☐ Power bank
☐ First aid
☐ Headtorch
🧠 Your body
☐ Trained for hills
☐ Trained for long descents
☐ Tested your footwear
☐ Allowed recovery time
☐ Know when to turn back
Our MaJa Take
I went into this trip thinking the challenge was simple:
Climb three mountains.
Now I know it's much more complicated than that.
The mountains are only part of it.
It's knowing your own body.
It's understanding the weather.
It's planning your route.
It's giving yourself enough time.
And sometimes it's admitting: 'Today, I'm not ready for this.'
We didn't complete the Three Peaks.
But we did climb Ben Nevis.
I did something I genuinely wasn't sure I could do.
We climbed Snowdon.
And we came home with a much better understanding of what these mountains actually demand.
So if you're standing at the bottom of one of these peaks wondering whether you can do it...
Don't focus on the summit.
Don't focus on somebody else's time.
Just focus on the next step.
Then the next one.
And the next.
Because sometimes the biggest achievement isn't reaching all three peaks.
It's discovering what you're capable of along the way.
Planning your own Three Peaks adventure?
Save this article for your planning, share it with your hiking partner and use our experience as a starting point for your own adventure.
And remember: mountain conditions, parking arrangements and access can change, so always check the latest information from the relevant National Park, landowner and mountain safety organisations before setting off.
🌍 More from Wandering with MaJa
If you're heading to Wales for Snowdon, don't miss our guide to the town we used as our base:
And if you're looking for more UK adventure inspiration:
Because adventure doesn't always go according to plan.
And that's often where the best stories begin.
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