What Is The Cheapest Way To Do The 3 Peaks Challenge?

Trying to find the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge route?

Well, we’ve got good and possibly bad news for you.

The good news is that doing the 3 Peaks Challenge doesn't have to be expensive at all. All it costs is £6 to register officially. Of course, the biggest expenses are your travel costs between destinations.

The news you might not want to hear? You don't want to try to cut your budget too much and do the challenge on the cheap. This could be dangerous and make your experience a lot less enjoyable.

The best way to do it is through a guided 3 Peaks Challenge experience, with all logistics planned and arranged for you. But, if you want more info on the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge, follow the guide below.

The 3 Peaks Challenge is a hiking challenge in the UK where participants aim to climb the highest mountains in England, Scotland, and Wales within 24 hours. These peaks are Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, and Snowdon (Yr Wyddf).

The total hiking distance is about 23 miles, with a driving distance of around 462 miles between the mountains. It's a tough physical and mental test that requires good fitness, preparation, and organisation.

Check out our guide on tips for the 3 Peaks Challenge for more details on how the route works and what you need to know to plan to do the challenge.

If you’re trying to find the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge, then you’ll need to understand your different options for managing travel and logistics around the challenge. There are two main options here.

First, you could do the 3 Peaks Challenge completely independently. This is typically the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge if you plan it well.

Doing the 3 Peaks Challenge on your own gives you complete flexibility and control over the schedule. You'll need to plan your route, arrange transportation, and ensure you have the right gear.

It's important to have a good understanding of navigation and weather conditions. You should also be in good physical shape and have some hiking experience.

Preparing well, including training hikes and organising a support team, is essential for making the challenge more manageable and enjoyable.

While you can cut costs by doing the challenge independently, it does require a lot of planning. There are also many small details involved in organising the challenge that are easy to forget. This could lead to various unexpected costs along the way.

The other option is to be part of an organised 3 Peaks Challenge expedition. We’d recommend this option, as it’s a lot easier to manage and ensures you can actually stick to a clear budget.

Joining a guided tour for the 3 Peaks Challenge should make the experience less stressful and far more enjoyable. Guided tours provide expert support, including transportation, meals, and experienced guides who know the best routes and safety precautions.

This option is great for those who prefer not to worry about logistics and want the added security of professional assistance. It's also a good way to meet other participants and share the experience.

With a guided tour, everything is planned and managed for you - you just need to show up and enjoy the hikes.

As the 3 Peaks Challenge requires you to visit three countries within 24 hours while preparing for three mountain climbs, needless to say, it can be pretty expensive to do. However, that’s not to say you can't do it affordably.

But, before we explore the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge, let’s make one thing very clear - focusing too heavily on cost-cutting can seriously impact your experience.

The most important thing is that you do the challenge safely and that you’re properly prepared and equipped for it. If you focus too heavily on cost-cutting, you can quickly take all the fun out of the experience - not to mention making it a dangerous undertaking.

In theory, the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge is to do it independently. Once you’ve got all the gear for the challenge, you can arrange your own transportation between the mountains (driving your own vehicle is easiest).

However, staying awake for 24 hours and driving yourself between mountains would be extremely dangerous. So, you’ll need to have a driver to help you out.

Paying a bit extra for a guided 3 Peaks Challenge experience is well worth it. This way, you can rest while travelling between mountains. You’ll also be able to join a group with experienced guides for added safety and fun. Plus, you’ll get accommodation sorted for the first night, as well as an experienced crew to help manage your pace and get to each destination on time.

So, while the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge might be by planning it independently, the added stress and possible dangers of this approach just aren’t worth it in our opinion.

To fully understand the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge, you need to understand all of the costs, logistics, and elements involved.

Here’s what you need to organise before hitting the 3 Peaks Challenge route.

We don't recommend attempting the 3 Peaks Challenge hikes solo. It’s important that you have a team of other hikers to keep you company and make things safer.

You can organise a group of four to thirty walkers for the challenge. If you have fewer than four people, we’d definitely recommend you join Skyhook's guided Three Peaks Challenge.

If you’re concerned about finding the cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge, you’ll probably want to keep your group size small, as this makes logistics more affordable.

The “challenging” part of the 3 Peaks Challenge is that you have to do it in 24 hours - which means you need a very carefully planned schedule.

Choose a start time that works best for your team. While the traditional start is at 5 pm, a morning start is most popular as it allows you to begin well-rested. We start our guided 3 Peaks Challenge first thing in the morning (to summit Ben Nevis by 11:30 am) which is what we’d recommend.

Of course, you’ll find out the best time of year to do the 3 Peaks Challenge before you book.

The only real direct cost to do the 3 Peaks Challenge is your registration fee, which makes your participation official.

Registering your challenge helps ensure it’s safe and responsible. It also lets you record your achievements online and promotes any fundraising efforts you might be doing for the challenge.

Registration only costs £6 per person and includes a certificate of completion. You can register on the official site.

Without a doubt, the biggest consideration for planning the 3 Peaks Challenge is getting your transport sorted.

First, decide whether to start at Ben Nevis or Snowdon. Ben Nevis is the more common choice, and it’s what we’d recommend.

Travel to the start point can be by train or road. If you’re hiring a vehicle, the largest suitable option is a 16-seater minibus due to the narrow roads - something to keep in mind if you’re doing the challenge as a larger group.

You’ll need to have two dedicated drivers who won't be walking to safely drive you between destinations. Again, this is why choosing a planned 3 Peaks Challenge experience is best, as you get a fresh driver waiting for you after each summit.

While the trails are clearly marked and easy to follow, it’s still important that you have some kind of navigation system handy.

Ordnance Survey Explorer maps are best for navigation. We say get the OL Explorer 392 for Ben Nevis, OS Explorer OL6 for Scafell Pike, and OS Explorer OL17 for Snowdon.

If you’re hiking in poor weather or low light, be prepared to navigate using a map and compass. Although, if you have a guide with you, then you won’t have to worry about navigation.

One of the biggest expenses in preparing for the 3 Peaks Challenge is getting all the right equipment. The better prepared you are in terms of your 3 Peaks Challenge kit list, the more enjoyable your hiking challenge will be.

Make sure you have proper walking boots, waterproofs, and plenty of water. A strong backpack to carry your snacks, water, and extra layers is important. You’ll also definitely want a fresh pair of socks to change into before each hike.

You’ll also want to plan your meals carefully and bring enough snacks to keep you fuelled during the hikes. Otherwise, you might end up relying on junk food from service stations while travelling between mountains.

While the hiking trails are not terribly difficult, it’s still important that you train for them and are fit enough for the 3 Peaks Challenge.

We’d recommend training for a couple of weeks before the challenge to ensure you’re ready to comfortably hit the trails. This is also a good time to test your gear.

Depending on your schedule, you might need accommodation in Fort William before starting or near Snowdon after finishing.

You can often find better rates for accommodation by booking early. Just make sure that you stay somewhere close to the start of the trails, as this will help you save valuable time.

Doing the 3 Peaks Challenge is an incredibly rewarding experience. Just make sure that you're properly prepared and carefully plan your challenge in advance.

While you can find ways to save money, the best solution is always to go with a reputable guide for a safe and stress-free experience.