The National Three Peaks Challenge — Ben Nevis (1,345m), Scafell Pike (978m), and Snowdon (1,085m) — in 24 hours. A campervan is the best way to do it.
The Route
The driving distance is 462 miles. Driving time: 10-11 hours. Hiking time: 11-14 hours. Total: 21-25 hours. A campervan means you can sleep between peaks, cook your own food, and change clothes in privacy.
Peak 1: Ben Nevis (Fort William)
Parking: Ben Nevis Visitor Centre car park, £5 for 4 hours, £10 overnight. Large, well-maintained, no height barrier. The car park is 200m from the start of the Mountain Path. Route: The Mountain Path (tourist route) is 10 miles round trip, 7-9 hours. It is a steady climb on a well-maintained path. Do not underestimate it — it is longer than the other two combined. Van tip: Park overnight in the visitor centre car park. The toilets remain open. Fort William has a Tesco and Morrisons for supplies. Best time: Start at 5-6am. You finish by 2pm, giving you 6 hours of daylight to drive to the Lake District.
Peak 2: Scafell Pike (Lake District)
Parking: Wasdale Head car park (National Trust), £6/day for non-members. 3 miles from the summit via the Brown Tongue route. The car park fills by 7am on summer weekends — arrive the night before or park at Brackenclose (smaller, 1 hour walk). Route: Brown Tongue route is 5 miles round trip, 3-4 hours. It is the shortest of the three but the most technical — steep, loose scree near the top. Van tip: The Wasdale Head Inn (500m from the car park) serves food and has a beer garden. Good for a post-hike meal. Overnight parking at the NT car park is not officially allowed but tolerated if you arrive in the evening and leave early.
Peak 3: Snowdon (North Wales)
Parking: Pen-y-Pass car park (Snowdon's main start point), £10 for 4 hours, £15 overnight. Height barrier (2.1m) — check your van height. Alternative: Llanberis (start of the Llanberis Path) has a large pay-and-display car park, no barrier. Route: The Llanberis Path is 7.5 miles round trip, 4-5 hours. It is the easiest and least technical route. The Pyg Track (from Pen-y-Pass) is shorter (7 miles) but steeper. Van tip: Llanberis is more van-friendly than Pen-y-Pass. Park at the main Llanberis car park (£5/day), walk to the path start (10 minutes). The village has pubs, cafés, and a Co-op.
The 24-Hour Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 05:00 | Start Ben Nevis |
| 13:00 | Finish Ben Nevis |
| 13:00-16:00 | Drive to Wasdale (3 hours) |
| 16:00-20:00 | Hike Scafell Pike |
| 20:00-23:00 | Drive to Snowdonia (2.5 hours) |
| 23:00-05:00 | Sleep in van near Snowdon |
| 05:00-09:00 | Hike Snowdon |
| 09:00 | Finish! |
Essential Gear
- Good boots (you will do 22 miles of hiking)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (mountain weather changes fast)
- Head torch (you may be hiking in the dark)
- Warm layers (above 600m it can be 10°C colder)
- Plenty of food and water (no shops on the peaks)
- First aid kit (blisters are the most common issue)
Van-Specific Tips
- The driving between peaks is the hardest part. Share the driving if possible.
- Book your Ben Nevis car park space in advance (summer fills up).
- Fort William and Llanberis have outdoor shops if you forget anything.
- Your van is your bothy, your changing room, and your café. Use it.
Do You Need 24 Hours?
No. Taking 2-3 days is more enjoyable and safer. Sleep at Ben Nevis, drive to the Lakes the next morning, hike Scafell, drive to Snowdonia, sleep, hike Snowdon the third morning. The campervan makes this easy — you are not tied to hotels.
