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The Mountain Information section of the Wandering Aengus Treks website is intended as a general resource for anyone with an interest in climbing the Three Peaks. On these pages you can find detailed descriptions, maps and photographs of the various routes on the National Three Peaks of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Scafell and Ben Nevis.
At all times when using this information you are entirely responsible for your own safety and navigation. The 'Three Peaks' can be dangerous places, particularly in bad weather and it is your responsibility to ensure you are properly equipped and possess the necessary navigational skills before setting foot on these mountains, fells and bens.
If you would like to climb the 'Three Peaks' with a professional guide who will also take care of all the accommodation and transport logistics then please see our tours page. Please note we do not provide logistics for large groups.
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The 'National Three Peaks' is the collective name given to the peaks of Yr Wyddfa in Snowdonia North Wales, Scafell Pike in the English Lake District, and Ben Nevis in the Western Highlands of Scotland. These are the highest points in each of the countries that make up mainland Britain.
The 'Three Peaks Challenge' is to climb all three peaks in a continuous round. From the perspective of seeking an enjoyable experience, this is best done over several days, but many people try to complete the round within 24 hours as an endurance challenge, often raising money for charity in the process.
Transport between the peaks can be by car or boat, though it has also been done by helicopter, bicycle and also exclusively using public transport. Only cars and helicopters are suitable for the 24 hour challenge, and for reasons of environmental care, helicopters are not to be recommended. Between the first and last day of April 2008, Steve Broadbent did the challenge cycling between the peaks. Why did it take him so long? Well he started from Lands End, finished at John O' Groats and took part in the London Marathon and Lochaber Marathon along the way!
The challenge involves a minimum of 10,000 feet of ascent and descent, a minimum of 20 miles walking and a total road travel of approximately 460 miles. The total distance between the three peaks as the crow (or helicopter) flies is 280 miles. A simple comparison of these two figures should let you know that the driving is not going to be straightforward.
Despite being relatively low in altitude when compared with the world's highest peaks, these are are none-the-less real mountains, as many people have discovered to their joy, and a few to their cost. Each of them has its base virtually at sea level and their northern coastal locations mean that they do receive a fair amount of wild weather. All this means that it is necessary to be well prepared before tackling these mountains. You should have good waterproof and windproof gear, warm clothes, a map and compass (or a guide), and the skills to use them
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Scafell Pike will always be 'the middle one'. For this reason, on the 24 hour challenge, it is normally climbed in the dark - a very good reason to take a little longer over the challenge. The local inhabitants of Wasdale probably endorse this sentiment as they are subject to cars coming and going throughout the night on several weekends in the summer.
Wasdale is not the easiest valley to get to but it does present the quickest way to the top of Scafell Pike and for this reason it is still the best choice if doing the 24 hour challenge. Be warned that the road to Wasdale is a long way out 'off route' when heading south or north and be sure to factor in enough time for the 'detour'. If you are doing Scafell in the middle of the night, please take care to keep noise to a minimum, and always make sure you have a guide or have a competant night navigator in your team.
The easiest and shortest route on the mountain starts from the Brackenclose Car Park just beyond the head of Wastwater, and follows Lingmell Gill to the col of the same name. The best routes up Scafell Pike are longer but with one exception they all start in more accessible valleys. Click on the Scafell Pike tab above, or hit the 'routes' button below for full details.
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The highest of them all, the Big Bad Ben, will be either first or last but it is best left till the end. This enables you to build up to what is the longest of the three climbs. |
For the 24 hour challenge where the experience is more about slowly running out of steam than building fitness, a reverse psychology applies. Now it is better to do the Ben first to get it out of the way.
If your aim is to do the 3 Peaks in 24 hours, time constraints will force the route selection. and you will inevitably join the the crowds up the zig zags of the Tourist Track from Glen Nevis.
However, there is more than one way to climb a Ben, and for those with more time to devote to this fascinating mountain, there is a longer and more interesting route which offers the chance for tremendous views onto the impressive north face. Click on the Ben Nevis tab or hit the 'routes' button below for full details.
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On a continuous round this will be climbed either first or last.
It is usually done last on the 24 hour challenge but if you are adopting a more leisurely approach it is probably best done first as this allows you to build up gradually to the Ben, arguably the toughest of the three.
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The most direct and popular routes start from Pen-y-Pass between Capel Curig and Llanberis. Starting from the pass gives a good leg-up as you will be setting off from 1177 feet.
The usual route for the 24 hour challenge is the PYG track, named for the local hotel - the Pen-Y-Gwryd, which starts in the car park opposite the Pen y Pass youth hostel. Parking here is quite limited so unless you are arriving early in the day or mid week you may have to park well below the pass.
The finest route to the summit is undoubtedly via Garnedd Ugain along the Crib Goch - Crib y Ddysgll ridge. However, there are several other routes from different sides of the mountain and they are all well worth investigating.
Click on the Yr Wyddfa tab or hit the 'routes' button below for full details.
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