Best time to do National 3 Peaks
- Walk Snowdonia
- May 6
- 7 min read
The National 3 Peaks Challenge is one of the UK’s most iconic outdoor endurance events.
Participants aim to summit the highest mountain in Scotland - Ben Nevis, England - Scafell Pike & Wales Snowdon—often within 24 hours. It’s a serious physical and logistical undertaking, and choosing the best time of year can make all the difference between a successful adventure and an unsuccessful ordeal.
Late spring and early summer is the best time for the National 3 Peaks Challenge. June is generally considered the best single month because of;
Good weather
More daylight hours
Less traffic
What Is the National 3 Peaks Challenge?
The challenge involves climbing (and descending) the highest mountains in… Scotland, England, and Wales:
Scotland - Ben Nevis (1,345m)
England - Scafell Pike (978m)
Wales - Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa (1,085m)
Participants typically aim to complete the challenge in 24 hours, including both driving time and hiking. The total walking distance is around 23 miles (37 km) with a total ascent of about 3,064 meters. Other popular timeframes are three or five days.
Fitness Level Required
Make no mistake - this is a tough challenge. You don’t need to be an ultra-marathoner, but very good cardiovascular fitness, strong legs, and good endurance are essential. You should be comfortable hiking for several hours on rough terrain and experience walking in mountain environments is very helpful.
A few months of dedicated training - focusing on cardiovascular fitness, hill walking, strength, and stamina - can prepare most reasonably fit people. If attempting the 24-hour version, mental resilience and the ability to function with minimal sleep are also key.
The challenge has a low success rate of around 40%. This is mainly due to individuals or teams not being able to get up and down the mountains fast enough due to a lack of cardiovascular fitness.
Best Time of Year to Do the 3 Peaks Challenge
The best time of year is typically late spring through early autumn, when daylight is longer and weather conditions are more favorable. Here’s a breakdown:
April to September – Best overall conditions
Longer daylight hours
Lower risk of snow and ice (especially on Ben Nevis)
More reliable weather
October to March – Not recommended for most
Short daylight hours
Higher chance of snow, ice, and more hazardous conditions
Greater risk of poor visibility and high winds
All mountains especially Ben Nevis may require winter mountaineering gear which is heavy and takes time to put on and take off.
Best Month to Do the National 3 Peaks
June is often considered the ideal month because of:
Maximum daylight hours: The days are very long and the summer solstice occurs towards the end of the month. Ben Nevis has nearly 18 hours of daylight in June whereas in September this reduces to 11.5 hours at the end of the month (important for safety and visibility)
Warm weather: Lower chance of extreme heat compared to July or August. Heat exhaustion and sunburn are very real hazards when the mercury rises. In addition water is likely the heaviest single item most individuals will carry and the hotter it is the more they will need.
Less midges: Still early enough to avoid the peak of midge season in Scotland which tends to be in July and August.
Less traffic: Traffic at these tourist hotspots can slow teams down especially in school holidays. The narrow road into Wasdale Head can get chaotic especially in August. June also sees less issues with parking at the popular and limited car parks.
Runner-up months: May and July are also good months to do the National 3 Peaks as they they have long daylight hours and are more likely to have favourable weather.
These months are popular with groups and organized events
Other factors to consider
Avoid Glasgow at peak times - Try to avoid Glasgow around rush-hour midweek or if there is a big football game on at the weekend as traffic can be bad.
Traffic & congestion: The roads into the most popular mountains in the UK can become very busy at peak times with traffic jams being common. This is especially true in August. The A82 in Scotland, A55 into Wales & the road into Wasdale Head (Scafell Pike) see frequent traffic jams and slow moving traffic. Stack the odds in your favour and avoid these roads at peak times.
Midges: They can be an issue on Ben Nevis but it is usually a bit too windy. Depending on the conditions, midges usually appear in late April or early May. July and August are often the months with highest midge activity.
Snow & ice: Snow and ice combined with steep slopes is very treacherous. Snow can persist on the mountains well into spring. There have only been a few summers where Ben Nevis hasn't had any snow or ice.
How Long Does the National 3 Peaks Take?
There are two main timing options:
24-Hour Challenge
This is the most common and popular format and involves completing all the hiking and driving within 24 hours
This version is highly challenging and demands very good fitness, careful planning, fast transitions, no traffic issues and efficient group pacing
Leisure Option (Over 3 or 5 Days)
Still a big challenge, but far less pressure
More time to enjoy the scenery and recover between climbs
Allows all mountains to be completed in the daylight
More sustainable option with less impact and more benefit for local communities
Better for less experienced hikers, those wanting to prioritize safety or those wanting to take time to enjoy the spectacular views
Timing for National 3 Peaks Challenge
The 24 hour challenge involves around 13 hours of walking. You should allow the following times to complete each mountain:
Ben Nevis - 5 hours
Scafell Pike - 4 hours
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) - 4 hours
In addition to summiting and descending each mountain there is about 11 hours of driving between the mountains:
Ben Nevis to Scafell Pike - 6 hours
Scafell Pike to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) - 5 hours
National 3 Peaks Itinerary (24 hours)
To complete the National 3 Peaks in 24 hours the following schedule needs to be followed;
0 hours - Start Ben Nevis (5 hours)
5 hours - Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (6 hours)
11 hours - Arrive Scafell Pike and start climb (4 hours)
15 hours - Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (5 hours)
20 hours - Arrive Snowdon and start climb (4 hours)
24 hours - Finish challenge
Timing options for the 24 hour challenge
There are a few different timing strategies for the 24 hour challenge depending on whether you want:
A Natural day: Option 1 - Morning start
Maximize hiking in daylight and minimise night hiking: Option 2 - Maximise daylight
Avoid traffic and busy footpaths: Option 3 - Avoid Traffic
Here are the main timing options for the 24-hour version:
Option 1 - Morning start
This involves starting the challenge in the morning and has the benefit of climbing Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike in the daylight. Snowdon is either fully or partially climbed in the dark depending on the time of year.
7am - Start Ben Nevis
12pm - Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (6 hours)
6pm - Arrive Scafell Pike and start climb
10pm - Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (5 hours)
3am - Arrive Snowdon and start climb
7am - Finish challenge
Advantages
Feels most like a normal day
Good sleep before challenge so start feeling fresh
Avoid midday heat in summer
Can get a good sunset on Scafell Pike and sunrise on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
Disadvantages
Climb Snowdon in the dark
Can hit traffic
Option 2 - Maximise Daylight
This maximises time spent walking in the daylight with it being possible to avoid night hiking completely in mid-summer.
5pm - Start Ben Nevis
10pm - Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (6 hours)
4am - Arrive Scafell Pike and start climb
8am - Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (5 hours)
1pm - Arrive Snowdon and start climb
5pm - Finish challenge
Advantages
All mountains can be done in daylight (mid-summer)
Can save money on accommodation
Can get a good sunset on Ben Nevis and sunrise on Scafell Pike
Disadvantages
Tiring
Feels like one very long day
Traffic can be an issue
Option 3 - Avoid Traffic
This is the least popular option but reduces the chance of being stuck in traffic which is a common pitfall of completing the challenge in 24 hours.
12pm - Start Ben Nevis
5pm - Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (6 hours)
11pm - Arrive Scafell Pike and start climb
3am - Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (5 hours)
8am - Arrive Snowdon and start climb
12pm - Finish challenge
Advantages
Most likely to avoid any traffic issues
Quiet footpaths on Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike
Disadvantages
Scafell Pike climbed completely in the dark
Waiting until midday to start Ben Nevis can feel unnatural
These are suggested timings and can be adjusted depending on the time of year, fitness and preferences of the group.
Timing & Logistics: Common Approaches
Start Ben Nevis early morning, drive to Scafell Pike (climb in the evening or night), finish on Snowdon early the next morning.
Some do the reverse (Snowdon to Ben Nevis), but this is less common.
Organized groups often include a support driver to allow participants to rest between climbs.
Other Key Considerations
Weather: Always check the forecast for all three peaks before starting. Conditions can vary wildly between locations. Also check the ground conditions especially in the spring and autumn.
Transport: Arrange reliable transport between peaks; driving is a major part of the challenge.
Accommodation: Book lodging near your start and end points. This also returns some money to the local communities that are being impacted.
Kit: Proper hiking boots, layered clothing, waterproofs, headlamp, snacks, and hydration are essential.
Navigation: Have a means of navigating.
Final Thoughts
The National 3 Peaks is a brilliant adventure for those with the fitness, determination, and planning skills to take it on.
June is the best month for taking on the challenge. Prepare thoroughly, train hard and you’ll give yourself the best shot at enjoying this epic UK mountain challenge safely and successfully.
Get in touch to organise a successful National 3 Peaks Challenge
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