National Three Peaks Challenge

Dates

• 5-7 May 2023
• 12-14 May 2023
• 19-21 May 2023
• 26-28 May 2023
• 2-4 June 2023 - sold out
• 9-11 June 2023 - sold out
• 16-18 June 2023
• 7-9 July 2023
• Every weekend in May 2024
• Every weekend in June 2024
• 5-7 July 2024
• 12-14 July 2024
• 6-8 September 2024
• 13-15 September 2024

Kit list

You will receive a full kit list however these are the most important items. The trek is fully guided so equipment such as maps and compasses are not required:

• Waterproof trousers
• Waterproof jacket
• 25-35L rucksack
• Functioning head torch
• Walking boots, well-broken-in

Fitness level

Plenty of training will be required and some previous experience of trekking or hiking would be a bonus although no technical skills or specialist climbing gear is required. You will face some relatively difficult terrains and be physically tested as you step out of your comfort zone. It is ideal for those who are looking for their first multi-day hiking adventure.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Fort William
Fort William
Highland
UK

Minibuses will be travelling up to Fort William in the afternoon - you may optionally request a pick-up en-route from central Glasgow.

Friday

Arrival in Fort William

Meet the team at the accommodation in Fort William which will be a clean and comfortable hostel or bunkhouse near the base of Ben Nevis. Transfers from central Glasgow to Fort William are possible and may be booked beforehand.

Saturday

Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike

It will be a very early start at Glen Nevis today! Before setting off, a hearty breakfast will be provided and you will be given a full briefing on the challenge ahead by your Mountain Guides. This briefing will focus upon current weather conditions, safety procedures and ensuring that you have the correct kit.

After conquering Scotland’s highest peak, you will board the bus for the afternoon drive to the Lake District. The transfer to Wasdale Head will take approximately 6-7 hours (traffic dependent), but there will also be a stop where you can purchase dinner.

Although Scafell Pike is the smallest of the Three Peaks, it has the steepest and toughest terrain. There's a mixture of paths, boulders, fields and scree and you'll tackle them all under the light of the moon with your trusty headtorch. Breakfast included.

 

Sunday

Snowdon, then transfer to Chester

Snowdon is the most mountainous of the three peaks and a few steep rocky outcrops will test any weary legs, so watch your footing. After around 4-5 hours trekking, you will have conquered the Three Peaks challenge! Weather permitting, you will have stunning views of the sunrise over Snowdonia National Park at the summit - the perfect backdrop for a celebratory team photo.

After descending, you will be back on the buses to return to Chester in the early afternoon, with good transport links for you to continue your onward journey. Breakfast and packed lunch included.

Included

• Minibus transport throughout the challenge
• Accommodation before the challenge
• Transport from central Glasgow to Fort William, if booked in advance
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Drinking water
• Qualified Mountain Guides who will teach you about the mountains
• Comprehensive pre-departure support and advice
• Support from staff on the trip
• 24-hour emergency line for use during your trip

Not Included

• Travel to/from the challenge
• Some food and drink
• Personal hiking gear (boots, clothing etc)
• Travel insurance

Carbon offsetting

This challenge follows a carbon offsetting programme in partnership with WeForest, a European non-profit organisation who work tirelessly with local people and projects around the globe to fight climate change by planting trees across the world.

A proportion of your trip costs go towards a tree-planting project in Zambia, where WeForest works with hundreds of small-scale farmers to plant trees to sequester the carbon emissions that your trip produces.

The project also assists the local community by providing these farmers with training and tools to diversify their sources of income while they plant and protect local forests. As a result, they receive a higher income, diversify their economic activities and learn new skills. This allows the local farmers to become self-sufficient.

A responsible challenge

This challenge is operated in a sustainable, ethical and transparent manner - from the initial booking, to your return home, there is a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in all areas.

• Local impact and welfare

  This challenge is locally led, made up of local people with expert local knowledge and a genuine passion for the sites and communities in which they are based. All guides and support staff are paid a fair wage.

• Integrity and transparency

  This challenge is operated with members of multiple accreditation agencies and the organisers are always working towards new schemes to ensure they remain the most informed, transparent, sustainable, safe and inspiring travel company around. Currently members of multiple standards agencies, including ABTA and ATOL, and accredited by Travellers Against Plastic (TAP) and Tourism Concern as an Ethical Tour Operator.

  Commercial partners are granted access to risk assessments, as well as all up-to-date licences and certificates, providing reassurance that they are collaborating with a professional tour operator.

• Single-use plastics

  The Travellers Against Plastic (TAP) pledge was established in 2018 to help fight the harmful consumption of single-use plastics through challenge operations. In all destinations, water is purified from local sources for challenge participants.

  In remote areas where this is not possible, the team prioritise large, decantable cooler bottles which are later recycled. Where the provision of safe drinking water is not possible, teams adhere to a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra.

• Animal welfare

  Animal welfare is taken extremely seriously, so itineraries which facilitate or encourage the mistreatment of animals are not produced or promoted. Animal welfare policies are strongly influenced by industry-standard ABTA guidelines on the treatment of animals. When sourcing ground agents, there would be no partnership with non-compliant agents and the opportunity is taken to help to educate non-compliant agents in best practice.

  As an active member of ABTA’s Animal Welfare Working Group, the organisers are up to date with all animal welfare issues the world over.

The full cost of this challenge is £485. You will be required to pay the registration fee of £95 at the time of booking and the final balance of £390 which is due 10 weeks before departure.

Once your final balance has been settled at or before 10 weeks prior to departure, your place on the trip will be confirmed and you'll be ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime!

Costs

An incredible experience with wonderful guides. Watching the sunrise from the top of Scafell Pike was breathtaking. It was tough, but a great opportunity to meet new people and take on an amazing challenge. Molly, Southampton