Suggested Routes for the Three Peaks Challenge
For the most part, the paths and routes up the three mountains are fairly well defined and pretty obvious.
With thick fog or stormy conditions however, you can easily take the wrong path or simply get lost. If you can, try to have an experienced walker in your party, preferably someone who has done the Three Peaks Challenge before. Above all, always take a map and compass and learn how to use it beforehand!
Here are the standard most popular routes up the mountains:
Ben Nevis
Climbers can start the Ben Nevis ascent in one of two places, either the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel (a steeper but shorter climb) or the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre car park on the A82 by Achintree (shallower but slightly longer).
Both starting points are similar and soon join up to each other to form the the Tourist path.
The Tourist Route is the prefered route by 3 Peaks Challengers. It features approximately 1,320 metres (4,331 ft) of vertical walk up a steep and rocky path. No climbing is needed on this route so if you find yourself scaling a vertical rockface, you've gone the wrong way!
Above: The Ben Nevis route starting from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre (bottom left of image) up to the summit of Ben Nevis (top right)
Above: The starting routes soon join together to form the Tourist Path.
Above: The zig zag ascent and final stages of the climb.
Above: The summit of Ben Nevis (bottom left).
Scafell Pike
The preferred starting point for most people is from the National Trust Camp Site at Wasdale Head. You could also start at Seathwaite which is in fact easier to get to from Scotland, and saves on driving time, but the walk itself takes a lot longer.
The distance from the start to the summit of Scafell Pike is approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 miles). The path is fairly well defined in most places although it is important you have a map and compass in case of low visibility. Scafell Pike is not as touristy as Ben Nevis or Snowdon, the terrain is a rocky path from rough crag to scree and has a rocky moon like summit. This along with its steep nature means it is probably the toughest of all three mountains, particularly after having just climbed Ben Nevis.
Above: The most popular Scafell Pike route starting from the Wasdale car park.
Above: The approach to the Scafell Pike summit using the Brown Tongue route.
Above: The route up Scafell Pike as seen from the summit.
Snowdon
Challengers usually start at the Pen-Y-Pass car park which has facilities including toilets. From here you can either take the Pyg Track (West (Right) of the car park) or the Miner's Track (South (Left) of the car park). We recommend going on the Pyg Track during the ascent and the Miner's Track on the way down. The route is approximately 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) with the total ascent from the Pen-Y-Pass starting point at 725m (2381ft).
Either of the above routes up Snowdon are regarded as intermidiate level and consist of rocky paths and a broad summit ridge. Snowdon is probably the biggest tourist magnet of all the three mountains on the challenge. For this reason paths can get very busy, particularly in the summer months.
Above: The most popular Snowdon routes starting from the Pen-Y-Pass car park.
Above: The Miner's Track (Pink) and Pyg Track (Yellow) traversing the landscape towards the Snowdon summit
Above: The Pyg and Miner's Track joining up for the final ascent to the summit of Snowdon.
Above: The summit of Snowdon which also shows the path parallel to the Snowdon Mountain railway track which finishes at the station also on the summit.
