Three Peaks Challenge Guide Maps for Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon

The National Three Peaks Challenge

Next year the Outdoors Show (formerly the OS Outdoors Show) will be moving to London. See outdoors shows for details and links to other outdoor events taking place in the UK throughout the year.

The National Three Peaks Challenge is a demanding endurance challenge in which participants attempt to climb the highest peaks of each of Great Britain's three countries, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales. Often, but not necessarily, this is attempted within 24 hours.

The National Three Peaks Challenge is not just a demanding physical challenge, it's a mental challenge as well and success requires careful planning and preparation. The challenge involves organisation, logistics, navigation, good driving skills, communication, training, team work and group catering. On top of that you need the right equipment, stamina, determination and a bit of good luck. If you are planning to do the Three Peaks Challenge please don't hesitate to give us a call. See also "Preparing for the Challenge" lower down on this page.
Challenge News: Sport Relief National Three Peaks Challenge 5th - 8th March 2010

Heroic fundraiser Major Phil Packer and BBC presenter Kate Silverton attempted a winter Three Peaks Challenge in 72 hours for Sport Relief with adventurer Al Humphreys, top climber Andy Kirkpatrick and ultra-marathon competitor Martyn Bird. After 10 hours of climbing on the Friday, blizzard conditions on Ben Nevis prevented the team getting all the way to the summit. On the Sunday, Steve Redgrave and Clive Woodward joined them (at Pete's Eats) for Snowdon. The team completed Snowdon in brilliant alpine conditions on Monday after a overnight camp on the mountain - BBC Video Report Snowdon Report

If you are not quite sure what this challenge involves, or are looking for a different challenge, then our new mountain challenge page gives a short introduction to the National Three Peaks Challenge and some other famous UK mountain challenges.
Good weatherproof maps and a walker's compass, together with the knowledge of how to use them properly, are vital in tackling these mountains whatever the weather conditions. Safety and navigational accuracy is more important than just speed. This applies equally on the mountains and on the roads!
Maps and GPS Route Guides

A special 2010 National Three Peaks Challenge mountain guide-map set and a comprehensive map and information pack for challenge teams are now available. Special discounts are available for larger teams requiring several guide-map sets - full details of the guide-maps and the content of the Challenge Information Pack are given below.

Beacon Maps have produced a set of three mountain route maps with GPS information that are ideal for those undertaking or supporting a Three Peaks Challenge, either as part of an organised event, or as a more individual challenge. This is called the TPC mountain guide-map set, or TPC set for short. The handy sized, detailed maps and guides to Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon have a high quality finish which is weatherproof and durable. They have been designed by keen hill-walkers for use on the mountains, with or without GPS, and are designed to be easy as possible to use under the difficult conditions that may be encountered during a mountain challenge.
Our TPC mountain guide-map sets have now been used by Army and rescue service teams, scout groups, professionally organised challenge events and very many successful individual teams. See our new customer comments page for what users have said.
We also produce a Challenge Team Information Pack, which includes the TPC mountain maps. This is designed for small to medium sized teams. It contains a detailed practical guide to undertaking the challenge, useful tips for success, two TPC sets for the climbers and information for support crew/drivers etc. The challenge guide is revised frequently and the latest 2010 version now contains even more information about planning and undertaking the challenge, as well as information about the mountain route options, plus navigation, timing and safety issues. More info. below >>>

Three Peaks Challenge map Ben Nevis summit

3 Peaks Set Special Offer - The TPC (Three Peaks Challenge) mountain guide-map set is £15.95, or £27 for two sets, now includes our Challenge Top Tips and free post and packing on UK orders.

The full Team Information Pack is now only £37.00.

See below for details of pack contents.

To order please phone or email us - contact us

The guides can easily be slipped into a jacket pocket, eliminating the need for cumbersome map cases, making them ideal for Three Peaks challenge events.

They can be used with GPS and give key route finding information and waypoints (8 figure Grid References).

National Three Peaks Challenge Team Information Pack - this regularly updated information and map pack is ideal for small to medium sized teams undertaking the challenge.  Each Pack contains:-

Two TPC mountain guide-map sets in PVC wallets (includes Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head)
One set of flat laminated guide-maps - these are ideal for team route planning before the event and for use by support crew/drivers on the day of the challenge.
Plus the latest Three Peaks Challenge Guide - nine pages of what some people have called "insider" information about the challenge designed to be used in conjunction with the mountain guide-maps and this website. The original version of the guide was described by one team as "a most valuable document." The information pack has been revised and expanded for 2010 with more helpful tips and advice and we think it is now even more useful when preparing for the challenge.
The challenge team guide and the extra information sheets are not available separately, but they may be purchased for £3.75 if bought with one or more mountain guide-map sets.
The Team Pack includes suggested driving routes, but does not contain any road maps.
The standard challenge mountain guide-map set covers our recommended route to Scafell Pike starting from Wasdale Head. The alternative Scafell Pike route options starting from Seathwaite in Borrowdale are covered by a separate guide-map (17TP), which may be specified when ordering, or both options can be included for an extra £1.50.
If undecided on the starting point for Scafell Pike, maps for both route options can be included in the Team Pack for a nominal additional cost of £3.00.   Details of all the routes covered are given in the table at the bottom of the page >>>

The Team Information Pack is £37 with free UK post and packing.
Currently the Team Packs are available only directly from Beacon Maps. If you would prefer a different package for your team (if you have more than about six walkers you may want additional guide-maps for example), then please don't hesitate to ring or email us, and we will be pleased to offer advice if required and quote the best price we can for your guide-maps etc.
The set of flat A4 guide-maps from the Team Pack is available for £5 with one or more mountain sets.
Learn from the experts and help Mountain Rescue
We have copies of a recently launched new handbook called "Call Out Mountain Rescue" - this is a pocket sized guide to safety on the hill, with useful information and advice from Mountain Rescue personnel. As a special offer to help promote mountain safety awareness we are making these available to our customers for only £9.00 each subject to availability. Order your copy now - more info.
Find yourself with a Where-wolf card! These unique credit card size romers take the guess-work out of finding grid references.   Just place the square grid over the map and read off the grid reference - they are ideal for GPS users.   Available with 3 Peaks map sets (TPC sets or Team Packs) for £1.50 each.   A proportion of sales goes to help Mountain Rescue (England and Wales).
If you need a good compass for your next trip or mountain challenge we often have a small quantity of the excellent SILVA Mk 4 Expedition Compasses available at a competitive price (this is the compass we use on the hill ourselves) - please phone or email for availability and price.

PREPARING FOR THE CHALLENGE
Careful planning, preparation and training is the key to success when attempting the National Three Peaks.   Read as much as possible about the Challenge and study the guide-maps (and the Team Pack information if you have this) before the event. Also have a look at our main links page for other useful sources of information.
We would recommend that a small team (say up to about six walkers) has at least two maps with them on the mountains for safety.   Larger groups will require more maps, both for safety and flexibility. If you have any questions about the choice of mountain route, preparation, pre-event training, timings or use of GPS etc, please don't hesitate to give us a ring, we will help if we can.
For typical times for a 24 hour challenge attempt and the record for the fastest time see the timings page.
For three peaks challenge mountain navigation issues see Three Peaks challenge navigation problems.
If you are going to attempt the challenge in anything like 24 hours, then for your own safety, and the safety of other road users, you will need at least one, and ideally two, competent drivers/co-drivers who will not be undertaking any of the climbs.   Don't be tempted to allow the climbers to share the driving because they will be too fatigued to be safe on the road.   If you are having difficulty in finding suitable logistic support, drivers and/or transport for your group then MerseyVenture Transport and Logistics may be able to help.   For more details see their mountain support page.
If you are looking for a professional guide to help with your challenge (for Scafell Pike for example) we keep a short list of some guides who may be able to help - please contact us for details.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Each year considerable sums of money are raised for charities by people taking part in sponsored three peaks challenge charity events.   A search of the internet will reveal some of the many organisations involved.
The Main Links page contain lots of useful info. regarding the three peaks challenge and other resources for UK mountain goers. If you would like to see other information added to this page then please let us know.
The MerseyVenture Three Peaks Challenge site is a very useful non-charity specific 3 Peaks information website at www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.  Three Peaks tours are organised over 24 hours, 3/4 days and five days. They can organise bespoke events for charities as well as the logistic support for small groups. Beacon Maps produce specially commissioned high quality guide-maps for all their three peak events.
Two books are available:- Three Peaks, Ten Tors, by Ronald Turnbull, published by Cicerone - and
The National Three Peaks Walk, by Brian Smailes, published by Challenge Publications.
There is also the regularly updated set of guide notes in our Team Packs. These bring together a lot of practical information which will help you to understand, plan and complete the challenge successfully.
Seen the Three Peaks Challenge video? A few years ago a film company called Get Shorty Productions produced a film for Channel 4 Online that follows three climbers taking on the national three peaks challenge in 24 hours (yes, they did use Beacon guide-maps). The film was sponsored by BMW and may be viewed at Three Peaks film
Listen to Radio 4 - the programme "Costing the Earth" recently featured the Three Peaks Challenge - well worth a listen on the BBC iplayer:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n0tw6
WHEN & HOW TO DO IT
Thousands take on the National Three Peaks Challenge each summer and many large groups take part at the peak times between mid June and early July, hence it is better to avoid these times if possible, especially at the weekends.
A winter three peaks challenge is possible for properly equipped adventurous teams with adequate winter mountain experience and it is sometimes attempted in winter conditions over a three day period (or more), see Maximum Adventure on our Links Page for example visit site.
For a 24 hour challenge mid May to late September will normally give the best chance of success depending on weather conditions. Remember that spring comes later in the Highlands than down south, and in May there may still be a fair amount of snow on the Ben. Old snow on the summit area is not normally a problem for confident teams, but the Mountain Track can become very icy in early spring freeze - thaw conditions requiring the use of ice axe and crampons.
It's worth bearing in mind that the Three Peaks do not have to be done in under 24 hours to make a worthwhile and demanding challenge. They can be done over two days, three days, five days or any other period.
For a very unusual Three Peaks charity challenge have a look at the unique Railway Children event which uses rail travel between the mountains and is completed in under 36 hours - last years very successful event raised over £200,000, see www.railwaychildren.org.uk   If you are thinking of doing the Railway Children challenge yourself in 2010 have a look at our special railway children page.
Fundraising Code of Conduct: If you are organising or taking part in an event please give consideration to the impact on communities around the three mountains. This applies especially in the Lake District, where teams often arrive / depart at night and the facilities do not exist to cope with large numbers. Please plan your itinerary to minimise disturbance at unsocial hours and whenever possible follow the agreed code of conduct that is used by the major fundraising charities. A summary of this original code may be seen on the Wasdale MRT site by following this link: Code of Conduct Summary.
Recently a new code of conduct for fundraisers that should help reduce the negative impact caused by very large groups all doing the Three Peaks Challenge at around the same time has been agreed by interested parties including land owners and the major fundraising charities.
March 2010: New Fundraisers Code of Conduct for outdoor fundraising events published - here is a link to the new Institute of Fundraising Code of Conduct as a PDF file - shortly we hope to present a summary of the key points of the new code as it relates to the Three Peaks Challenge.
Information that will help small independent teams plan their challenge effectively and responsibly is contained in the Challenge Team Pack.
Adverse Publicity and Mountain Rescue: The National Three Peaks Challenge has attracted a degree of negative publicity in recent years and one reason is because it has added to the increase in the number of calls for help passed to the volunteer Mountain Rescue teams. Traditionally, hill walkers tended to be determinedly self reliant and built-up their mountain skills over many years. Over recent years there has been a general increase in the number of mountain rescue call-outs as far more people take to the higher peaks, which is to be expected. However an increasing proportion of calls for assistance are from walkers who are uninjured and otherwise fit to continue, but have become lost or become benighted and they call for help because they are not equipped to deal with the situation, i.e. basically they need a guide to get them off the hill. Whenever this sort of "guiding request" incident involves someone who is attempting the Three Peaks it adds to the negative publicity impact.
By early August 2009 the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team had to go to the assistance of at least seven groups of "Three Peakers" on or around Scafell Pike and incidents involving Three Peaks challenge groups continue on a regular basis throughout the year. A high proportion of incidents that result in Mountain Rescue involvement stem from basic navigation errors or problems with route finding.
To help prevent these problems teams should strive to be well prepared and self sufficient. Do not rely on mobile phones for safety. The volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams are there for real emergencies, but please remember they are charities manned by dedicated unpaid volunteers, and do not expect them to act as unpaid back-up for an ill prepared challenge, even if it is raising money for another worthy cause.
If you do need emergency assistance call 999 from any phone and ask for the police, stating which mountain area you are in to make sure you are put though to the correct control centre. The Police will contact the local mountain rescue organisation. Be ready to give as many details as possible about your exact location (give a grid reference if possible), your phone number(s), the number in the party, nature of injuries etc.
Once you have contacted the Police leave your phone on if using a mobile and try to stay in a good signal area, the Mountain Rescue Team will want to talk to you. Follow their instructions. Unfortunately some payphones don't accept incoming calls. If you subsequently manage to get safely off the hill without assistance please DO REMEMBER TO REPORT YOUR SAFE RETURN TO AVOID UNNECESSARY CALL OUTS - this is very important.
EQUIPMENT
Choosing the right footwear, clothing and other equipment for the challenge is obviously important, especially as you may have to cope with a wide range of conditions, and you will not have much recovery time between the mountains. The Equipment page may be of help. This is a general "three season" hill walking kit list, which is not aimed specifically at three peaks challenge events, but the same basic requirements still apply.
A good head torch (such as the Petzl zoom or a high power LED version) is essential for the Three Peaks challenge, and we would also recommend a small hand torch as back-up. We have recently been using the neat little LED Lenser Police Tech Focus hand torch and we are impressed with its performance.
Mobile phones are very useful of course (use a re-sealable plastic bag to protect), but they should not be relied on as a safety aid as the terrain will often block the signal. Large groups (especially) should be using VHF radio for communication "on the hill". Surprisingly, you may not get a reliable mobile phone signal near the summit of Scafell Pike. There is some coverage lower down the mountain towards Wasdale and in Wasdale, but it is very patchy. There is no coverage at all in Seathwaite. Also, you will probably not get a mobile signal at Pen y Pass in Snowdonia, but you should get one just slightly higher up at the start of the Pyg Track. The Vodafone network generally gives the best overall geographic coverage in the mountain areas. The Equipment page gives more information about mobile use.
In hot weather dehydration can be a serious problem, especially because of the prolonged effort required to complete the challenge, so it is vital to take plenty of fluids with you on the mountains and thoroughly re-hydrate between the climbs. Again, the Equipment notes page may be of some help with ideas.
MOUNTAIN NAVIGATION
Three Peaks challenge groups sometimes underestimate the navigational difficulties involved in completing the routes, especially in adverse weather and/or darkness. This can result in groups failing to complete their challenge, or even worse having to involve the local mountain rescue teams. Please don't expect to rely on well marked paths on the mountain tops. This applies especially to Scafell Pike and the summit area of Ben Nevis.
If not already confident about navigation on mountains, have a look at the Mountain Navigation page and brush up on basic map reading, and learn how to use a walker's compass properly. For a small team without mountain guides / marshals etc, the ability to use a map and compass properly is vital.
If you use GPS together with a good map and compass then it can be a very useful additional navigational tool. Given a good signal and used correctly, GPS will enable you to locate your position on the map, but it will definitely not solve all the mountain navigation problems on its own.   Learn about grid references and do not rely on GPS totally as your primary navigation tool.
If you intend to use GPS then become familiar with its operation well before the event, set the grid format and reference datum correctly, see the Mountain Navigation page for details, and practice using it with a map and compass beforehand, ideally in a mountain environment.   If possible enter the key waypoints from the Beacon guide-maps into the unit before the event.
As well as a extra navigation tool, GPS can be used as an accurate personal record of progress (date / time/ position) for your challenge which can then be loaded into your computer as a permanent record of your achievement.
Mountain Guide Maps Accurate navigation on the mountains is crucial to safety and success.   The "TPC" guide-maps concentrate on the most relevant information for those who take-on the National Three Peaks Challenge. They use award winning original mapping from Harvey Maps, as used by many mountain rescue teams, and have the main routes highlighted on the maps together with key GPS waypoints.   The reverse side of the guide-maps carry 8 figure waypoint grid references and other route finding information of particular importance to three peaks challenge walkers, including critical compass bearings. The guide-maps are revised frequently based on our own experiences and research and they incorporate feedback from customers, mountain guides, mountain rescue personnel and other experienced hill goers.
The features page gives more details.
The table below lists the mountain guide-maps in the "TPC" set.
See The Guides page for details of the current full range, and more details of what each guide contains.

GUIDE No. ROUTE DESCRIPTION

No. 2 TP
BEN NEVIS

via the Mountain Track
At 1,344m (4,409ft) Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and the whole of the UK. The summit area is snow covered for much of the year. The guide describes the classic Mountain Track route from Glen Nevis. The ultra-clear map is ideal for navigating on the "Ben". It has a special summit area map that shows the top of the mountain in more detail. It also shows the safe compass bearings and distances required to reach the top of the Mountain Track safely and avoid the danger areas in poor visibility.

No. 16 TP
(or 17 TP)
SCAFELL PIKE
from Wasdale
(or Seathwaite)

A map & navigation guide to the highest mountain in England starting from the head of its deepest lake, Wastwater in Wasdale. This guide covers the ascent of Scafell Pike via Brown Tongue and Lingmell Col, which is the shortest and most direct route to the summit.

A separate guide-map (No. 17 TP) covers the longer and somewhat more difficult routes from Seathwaite, that is via Sty Head and the Corridor Route or via Esk Hause. Please let us know if you require this option when ordering (we normally ask you anyway). Both Wasdale and Seathwaite route options may be included in the TPC mountain map set if required for just £1.50 extra (£3.00 extra for the full Team Pack with both options). We would normally recommend that both maps are taken if you are using Seathwaite because it gives you another emergency descent route.

Navigation problems are not uncommon on Scafell Pike, especially in mist or poor light. The route waypoints and notes are designed to help in navigation on this mountain, which is often tackled by Three Peaks teams in poor visibility conditions or darkness (both guides revised for 2010).

No. 11 TP
SNOWDON

Pen-y-Pass + Llanberis

The guide covers the Miner's Track and the PYG Track from Pen-y-Pass and also the route to/from Llanberis.

The car park at Pen-y-Pass is at 358 metres, and with National Park information, weather forecasts, a Joe Brown Mountain Shop, bus links and an excellent walker's Cafe, is an ideal starting point for the climb to the highest summit in Wales.

A popular option is to climb Snowdon by the PYG Track and descend via the Miner's Track back to Pen-y-Pass. The PYG Track takes a more direct, higher, more rocky (and interesting) route for most of the way before it eventually joins-up with the Miner's Track for the final steep climb up the zig-zag path to Bwlch Glas, which is very close to the summit.
Alternatively some may choose to ascend or descend from/to Llanberis by the longer, but less steep, Llanberis Path. For walkers who take this option the complete Llanberis Path route is covered by a specially prepared 1:50,000 scale map set into the map side of the guide.

To buy these Three Peaks mountain guide-map sets direct from Beacon Maps for £15.95 per set, or the full Team Challenge Information Pack for only £37, please phone or email us - see contact us Extra discounts are available for multiple map sets - please ask for a quote.

GUIDE No.	ROUTE	DESCRIPTION
No. 2 TP	BEN NEVIS via the Mountain Track	At 1,344m (4,409ft) Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and the whole of the UK. The summit area is snow covered for much of the year. The guide describes the classic Mountain Track route from Glen Nevis. The ultra-clear map is ideal for navigating on the "Ben". It has a special summit area map that shows the top of the mountain in more detail. It also shows the safe compass bearings and distances required to reach the top of the Mountain Track safely and avoid the danger areas in poor visibility.
No. 16 TP (or 17 TP)	SCAFELL PIKE from Wasdale (or Seathwaite)	A map & navigation guide to the highest mountain in England starting from the head of its deepest lake, Wastwater in Wasdale. This guide covers the ascent of Scafell Pike via Brown Tongue and Lingmell Col, which is the shortest and most direct route to the summit. A separate guide-map (No. 17 TP) covers the longer and somewhat more difficult routes from Seathwaite, that is via Sty Head and the Corridor Route or via Esk Hause. Please let us know if you require this option when ordering (we normally ask you anyway). Both Wasdale and Seathwaite route options may be included in the TPC mountain map set if required for just £1.50 extra (£3.00 extra for the full Team Pack with both options). We would normally recommend that both maps are taken if you are using Seathwaite because it gives you another emergency descent route. Navigation problems are not uncommon on Scafell Pike, especially in mist or poor light. The route waypoints and notes are designed to help in navigation on this mountain, which is often tackled by Three Peaks teams in poor visibility conditions or darkness (both guides revised for 2010).
No. 11 TP	SNOWDON Pen-y-Pass + Llanberis	The guide covers the Miner's Track and the PYG Track from Pen-y-Pass and also the route to/from Llanberis. The car park at Pen-y-Pass is at 358 metres, and with National Park information, weather forecasts, a Joe Brown Mountain Shop, bus links and an excellent walker's Cafe, is an ideal starting point for the climb to the highest summit in Wales. A popular option is to climb Snowdon by the PYG Track and descend via the Miner's Track back to Pen-y-Pass. The PYG Track takes a more direct, higher, more rocky (and interesting) route for most of the way before it eventually joins-up with the Miner's Track for the final steep climb up the zig-zag path to Bwlch Glas, which is very close to the summit. Alternatively some may choose to ascend or descend from/to Llanberis by the longer, but less steep, Llanberis Path. For walkers who take this option the complete Llanberis Path route is covered by a specially prepared 1:50,000 scale map set into the map side of the guide.