10:30
Age 18 & over
Sign up £95
Fundraise £935
Join Team Mind and brace yourself for a fast-paced and physically challenging adventure, as you take on the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales.
You'll total 3,000 metres of ascent over approximately 26 miles which will test your physical fitness and mental resolve! Not only is this a huge personal achievement which you can boast about for years to come, you'll also have the added purpose of raising sponsorship for an important charity cause.
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK set in the heart of Scotland's Western Highlands, kicking off your challenge with an achievement in itself.
Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain, featuring the nation's highest war memorial at the summit, and you'll summit it at night!
Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa is Wales' highest mountain, set in the Snowdon Massif - the heartland of Snowdonia National Park.
The National Three Peaks Challenge is graded as tough.
This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind and who have taken part in a similar event previously and are prepared to put in the necessary training to push themselves on a more challenging trek.
You can tell your supporters that on your National 3 Peaks Challenge you will be:
The National Three Peaks challenge involves early mornings, long days and sustained periods of ascents and descents.
Detailed training notes and training schedule will be provided to help you train and be physically prepared for this challenge.
You will be split into teams of 14 on Ben Nevis, based on pace and ability. Each group of 14 will have a mountain leader who stays with them for the duration of the challenge, plus an additional local mountain leader on each hill, and a professional driver.
You will be provided with a kit list and advice on what to wear and bring.
Chester Train Station
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 3DR
UK
Travel to Fort William
Following a warm welcome, the group heads off by road to Fort William in Scotland, stopping off in a local Scottish Highland town where you will have the opportunity to buy dinner, before checking-in to the hotel in Fort William, close to Ben Nevis. There will be a challenge safety briefing and then it will be time to turn in for the night ahead of tomorrow’s early start for the big adventure.
You will spend the first night in hostel-style same-sex dormitories in the Glen Nevis youth hostel in Fort William, Scotland. This hostel is at the very foot of Ben Nevis making the start on Saturday morning very easy.
Summit Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike
Standing at the western end of the Grampian Mountains, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles and is formed from the collapsed dome of an ancient volcano. The trail up to the summit begins on the eastern side of Glen Nevis, from where the group follows a steep path up to the saddle of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (570m). From here it's a zigzag ascent up the western flank of Ben Nevis to the summit. There are only ten miles to cover, but they will be challenging and will take some six hours to do. Be sure to stay mindful and aware at all times as the path is uneven and slippery in parts.
The pay-off at the top is immense. On a clear day, the views can stretch for 120 miles across the Torridon Hills, Ben Lomond and out towards County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
Once back at the bottom, take a rest then transfer by minibus southwards towards Wasdale in the Lake District. Stop at a service station en route to purchase a dinner of your choice before arriving at Wasdale Head for the ascent of Scafell Pike (978m).
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and consists of a steep ascent involving some easy scrambling in places. After a quick celebration photo at the summit, descend in darkness before trying to catch some sleep on the drive to Snowdonia.
Snowdon
Hopefully you will have had time to recharge for another early start. Time is at a premium, however, as the final peak still awaits. Driving on to Pen y Pass at the high end of the Lanberis Pass, follow a rocky trail along the Pyg Track to the top of Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
Teamwork and determination are all important as the group ploughs onwards and upwards to conquer this final challenge. Snowdon and its surrounding peaks have been described as true examples of alpine typography and from the elevated viewpoint you can take in the surrounding lakes and cwms and, weather permitting, some of the most extensive views in the British Isles. On a clear day you can see four kingdoms, 24 counties, 29 lakes and 17 islands!
Resting at the top for some group photos and impromptu celebrations, head back to the minibus for the drive back to Chester.
There is no accommodation arranged for the final evening, so you may wish to consider booking an extra night’s accommodation to rest after the challenge. If you are returning home by train please make sure you have booked an open ticket, as timings will depend very much on the group’s speed and ability.
Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes two day of hiking, with tough ascents and descents. The terrain will be varied and the ascents and descents exhausting at times, but the rewards and the views will be unforgettable.
This challenge is famously attempted within a 24 hour period. This challenge views this time period as being from when you begin the trek on Ben Nevis, to when you reach the summit of Snowdon.
However, it is important that whilst attempts are made to complete the challenge in this way there are a number of factors that often impact upon this timing:
Your safety will always be the number one priority, and you are asked to respect any decisions which leaders make regarding group management during the challenge. They will manage group timings to give everyone the best chance of completing the challenge. This may mean that they occasionally have to turn a group back before the summit to give the group the best chance of completing the next summit and the challenge overall. Please respect their decision – it is to ensure that driver hours are adhered to and keep the whole group safe.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a first-timer, Mind will be there to support you. They will do all they can to make sure your Three Peaks experience is one you'll never forget.
All of Mind's trekkers get a fantastic support package, including:
Raise money for better mental health.
Mind is the mental health charity, working across England and Wales. They believe no one should face a mental health problem alone. They’re here for you. Whether you’re stressed, depressed or in crisis. They’ll listen, give support and advice, and fight your corner. Thanks for fundraising for national Mind.
You can set up your very own fundraising page on JustGiving.
Mind will support you to achieve your fundraising target including regular emails which include great fundraising tips!
could help Mind's vital Infoline answer 100 people's enquiries.
could help Mind produce 1000 information booklets.
could help Mind to answer 50 calls coming to their Infoline in Welsh.
80% of the fundraising target is due 11 weeks prior to the event.
Registration fee
£95.00
Minimum sponsorship
£935.00
This was the toughest physical endurance event I have ever done, but in the end it was well worth it and so satisfying to complete. The guides and organisation were brilliant and kept everyone going with their humour and knowledge of the area. It is something I would highly recommend. Jon Goss
As tough as the challenge may be, we were lucky to have this opportunity. Vina Patel
The 3 Peaks Challenge is a tough weekend which will test not only your physical capabilities but also your mental toughness. The aches and pains will fade fast but the memories and sense of achievement will last forever. Derek Robinson
