Beyond Peak-Bagging: Rethinking the 3 Peaks
At RAW Adventures, we love heading to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Ben Nevis or Scafell Pike.
But we are also aware that we can get caught up in that by-the-numbers, peak-bagging attitude all too easily. While we love the mountains for the challenges they pose, that is not the only reason we love them. Sometimes, it’s good to approach them in a slightly different way, to seek out a fresh perspective and enjoy another aspect of the mountain experience.
With this in mind, we wanted to explore how walkers can discover and enjoy each mountain in the Three Peaks challenge in new and unique ways. To see how you can put a twist on your mountain walks and perhaps experience them in an entirely different way.
Alternative routes
If you want something beyond the traditional experience on these three peaks, start with the alternative routes you find on each mountain. They are an excellent way to see a new side of your favourite peak and enjoy a fresh perspective. Difficulty levels will often vary, enabling you to tailor the physical and technical challenges to your mood and ability.
Yr Wyddfa
Yr Wyddfa is home to six main walking routes and several longer options that combine several routes or incorporate parts of the wider area. The Snowdon Horseshoe, for example. If you have only climbed Yr Wyddfa once, there is a good chance you went up via the Llanberis Path. It’s the easiest, most straightforward and most popular route. This means you have several other options – the Snowdon Ranger Path, Miners Track, Rhyd Ddu Path, Pyg Track and Watkin Path.
Which you choose depends on what you want from the experience. If you want spectacular views and very quiet trails, check out the Rhyd Ddu Path. If you want a serious challenge, the Watkin Path is a good option. Ready for one of the UK’s most iconic ridgeline scrambles? Give the Snowdon Horseshoe or Crib Goch a shot.
Our sister site, Climb Snowdon, has more information on each route in its excellent Snowdon for Beginners Guide.
Ben Nevis
Just as most first-timers take the Llanberis Path on Yr Wyddfa, visitors to Ben Nevis tend to pick the Mountain Path for their first ascent. Also known as the Pony Track or Ben Path, it is the simplest way up the mountain. Starting at the visitor centre, the path is well marked with cairns and easy to follow for the most part (except for the top part which can be covered with snow well into summer). But that doesn’t mean it is the only option.
For something a little different, check out the Càrn Mòr Dearg (CMD) Arête and Ledge Route. Both feature serious scrambling sections and some consequential exposure, which changes the experience substantially. If you have climbing equipment and know how to use it, the Tower Ridge and North Face routes are also interesting propositions. They incorporate short climbing sections into the walking route. Ben Nevis only really has one route which is fully walking (The Mountain Path), all of the others have some trickier and airier sections of scrambling, so you may want to consider a guide to show you these routes.
Scafell Pike
Wasdale Head is to Scafell what Llanberis is to Yr Wyddfa and the Mountain Path is to Ben Nevis. It is the most popular route up the mountain and the one most people take if they are climbing it for the first time. On Scafell Pike, the routes tend to be named after your point of departure, so this path leaves from Wasdale Head. Other options include departing from either Borrowdale or Great Langdale.
On the Borrowdale route, most people get a little closer to the mountain before starting to walk. The Seathwaite Car Park is a popular start point. There are actually two route options coming up this side of the mountain – one of which is a little easier. The Great Langdale option is the longest route and a great choice if you want to make a whole day of it.
Three Peak Challenge
To put a unique spin on the actual Three Peak Challenge and turn it from a time-crunched exercise in peak-bagging into a slightly slower, more rewarding and more satisfying hiking experience, we recommend our Three Peaks in Three Days even.. Less rushed and frantic, it enables you to enjoy climbing Wales, Scotland and England’s three highest peaks rather than just hurrying through them. Alternatively, consider a local three-peak challenge that takes in mountains and hills closer to home. Planning and executing this kind of adventure challenge can be hugely rewarding.
Nature
One of our favourite ways to put a fresh spin on hiking in the mountains is to focus on nature. Mountain landscapes are spectacular places to explore, and we often overlook the flora and fauna that make up these incredible environments when we race up and down trails, aiming to bag as many peaks as possible.
Yr Wyddfa
One of only 18 Dark Sky reserves in the world, Eryri (Snowdonia) is the perfect place to marvel at the beauty of the night sky. If you want to see Yr Wyddfa in a completely different light (literally!), there is no better way to do so than the Climb Snowdon – Snowdon By Night events.
You can choose whether to walk up Yr Wyddfa in the dark for sunrise at the summit or descend in the dark after a summit sunset. It is a fantastic way to experience the majesty of Yr Wyddfa in a way that very few people ever do.
Ben Nevis
All the areas surrounding the Three Peaks feature some truly phenomenal landscapes and abundant wildlife. Ben Nevis and the Glencoe National Scenic Area are no exception. It is home to golden eagles, ptarmigan, pine marten, water voles and red deer, and you have a great chance of spotting some of these rarer animals away from the main trails.
If you want to embrace the area’s wild side, we suggest combining your Ben Nevis climb with the Steall Falls and the Nevis Gorge walk. Relatively short but hugely rewarding, it takes you across the River Nevis on the wire bridge, boasts striking views of the mountain itself and culminates with Steall Waterfall, Scotland’s second-highest waterfall.
Scafell Pike
The Lake District is one of the best places in the UK for wildlife fans. It’s particularly popular among birders for the sheer variety of species that visit or pass through the area. While ducks, geese, coots, cormorants, dippers and gulls hang out on or by Lakeland’s abundant water, there are plenty of bigger birds of prey on the hillsides and mountains.
At Dodd Wood, the Forestry Commission and RSPB have launched the Lake District Osprey Project. Bassenthwaite Lake is a superb spot to check out these remarkable birds fishing. Around the mountains, you can also spot sparrowhawks, buzzards, peregrine falcons, kestrels and tawny owls, so keep those eyes open.
History
The areas surrounding the Three Peaks are rich in history. Diving into the past is a brilliant way to get to know mountains more and enrich the walking experience. Combining history and walking helps bring that history to life, transforming it from an academic reading exercise into something you live, breathe and feel.
Yr Wyddfa
While Yr Wyddfa’s geological history stretches back approximately 450 million years and has culminated in the impressive peak that stands today, the mountain has a fascinating modern history, too. For instance, hikers can visit Gladstone Rock, which celebrates the opening of the first officially designated footpath in the UK – Watkin Path.
Named after Prime Minister William Gladstone, who addressed 2,000 people from atop the rock and spoke about his desire to realise a more just future for Welsh citizens, it is a wonderful example of how hiking and history meet in all kinds of unexpected ways. Alternatively, check out the Snowdonia Slate Trail – an 83-mile trail that explores Eryri’s role at the heart of the global slate industry and takes you to some of the area’s most beautiful and least-explored corners.
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis has played a pivotal role in Scottish history and its slopes have seen everything from famous battles between clans to WWII aircraft incidents. However, it is the mountain’s influence on 19th-century science that is most immediately apparent on the summit itself.
Starting in 1881 and continuing for 23 years, amateur scientists made meteorological recordings at the summit every day. At first, this involved a single man climbing to the summit from Fort William each day, no matter the conditions. Soon, he had two assistants and they established a basic stone hut with a tarpaulin roof and measuring instruments on the peak. In 1883, the Ben Nevis observatory was completed and staffed around the clock by a team of scientists. Manned full-time until 1904, the observatory accumulated millions of recordings and greatly improved our understanding of weather systems. Both the ruins of the observatory and the small stone hut are still visible on the summit today – reminders of the mountain’s amazing human history.
Scafell Pike
Scafell Pike and the Lake District boast an eclectic history that covers everything from ancient Roman forts to bobbin mills. We recommend checking out the walks around Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of the country’s oldest stone circles, as well as Shapp Abbey and the region’s hidden industrial past at Cat Bells mines.
However, if you’re looking for something more immediately accessible from Scafell Pike itself, nothing beats the exquisitely situated Hardknott Fort. A Roman fort that sits high above Eskdale, it is accessible from the bottom of Hardknott Pass. After exploring the site and walking between its 2,000-year-old walls, head up Harter Fell to get a proper view of the entire fort in all its ancient glory.
Culture
While history is a fascinating way to learn about the mountains, these areas have a vibrant and exciting contemporary culture as well. Discovering the communities that live year-round in these regions offers insights into the mountains you would never otherwise enjoy.
Yr Wyddfa
Today, Eryri is the adventure capital of Wales and a fantastic place to sample a wide range of outdoor activities. Whether you want to try your hand at rock climbing with some bespoke teaching, are interested in developing your scrambling skills or fancy scaling Yr Wyddfa by mountain bike (just make sure you know about the restrictions that govern MTB access!), there are so many outdoor adventures to enjoy.
Eryri is also a Welsh language stronghold and Cymraeg (that’s the Welsh name for the Welsh language) is an integral part of local life and communities. You will see plenty of events celebrating Welsh culture and language in Eryri and we would urge you to get involved and learn more about the history, culture and language of North Wales. The National Park website is a great place to start.
Ben Nevis
Just like Eryri, Fort William and Ben Nevis are Scotland’s premier outdoor adventure destinations. Fort William has established itself as the spiritual home of mountain biking in the UK and the facilities and riding are second to none. Rock climbing is also a popular activity and there are endless walls and crags to climb in the area. The Fort William Mountain Festival takes place every year and celebrates Ben Nevis, mountain culture and outdoor pursuits with a wide range of talks, films and workshops.
Scafell Pike
Now one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations, the Lake District has a strong hill farming heritage that remains a core part of the region’s contemporary culture. Visitors can get involved in this aspect of Lakeland culture by visiting working farms. The area is also a lively artistic hub, which is reflected in the number of galleries and museums in the area. From the Kendal Museum to the Arts & Crafts house, the region’s artistic influence is always on proud display and complemented by many contemporary exhibitions and galleries.
Mountain walks with RAW Adventures
At RAW, we love engaging with the mountains in all kinds of ways. Whether you’re peak-bagging, looking to upgrade your mountain skills or want to experience an entirely new side of your favourite peak, we are here to help you do it. Our mountain adventures are perfect for those who want to take on a unique challenge, while our skills courses are ideal for anyone who wants an enriching educational experience.
If you have any questions concerning RAW Adventures events or want to ask our experienced team a question, please feel free to reach out via our online contact form.
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