The Three Peaks Challenge comes in two main forms: the Yorkshire Three Peaks (Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales — 38km circuit, typically completed in 12 hours) and the National Three Peaks (Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, Snowdon in Wales — driven between mountains, target of 24 hours). Both are trending as summer activity events in the UK. Here is where to stay for each, and what to book before the peaks season fills up.

Yorkshire Three Peaks: base at Horton-in-Ribblesdale or Ingleton

The Yorkshire Three Peaks circuit starts and ends at the Pen-y-ghent Café in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The village is tiny and accommodation is limited: the Crown Hotel (a traditional pub with rooms directly on the circuit start), a small number of B&Bs, and self-catering cottages in the nearby dale. Horton books out weeks in advance for summer weekends.

Ingleton, 11km west, is a larger village with more accommodation options — hotels, B&Bs, and a well-equipped campsite — and serves as the base for Ingleborough (one of the three peaks). From Ingleton, most teams drive the short stretch to Horton-in-Ribblesdale to start the official circuit. Ingleton is also the starting point for the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, which many walkers do as a warm-up on the day before the challenge.

The nearest large town with more hotel variety is Settle (10 minutes by car from Horton), served by the Settle–Carlisle railway line — useful if you're arriving by train from Leeds or Carlisle.

National Three Peaks: mountain by mountain

Ben Nevis, Fort William — The start point for Ben Nevis (1,345m) is the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre at Glen Nevis, 3km from Fort William town centre. Fort William is the main service town and has the widest hotel range for this leg: from larger hotels in the town centre to B&Bs and hostels along Glen Nevis itself. Most teams doing the National Three Peaks attempt start with Ben Nevis (the longest ascent, 8–10 hours round trip) before driving south.

Scafell Pike, Wasdale Head or Keswick — The mountain's highest start point is Wasdale Head (at the end of Wast Water). There is a small campsite, a pub (Wasdale Head Inn), and almost no other accommodation — book the Wasdale Head Inn months in advance for summer weekends. Keswick (35 minutes by car from Wasdale via Borrowdale) is the main Lake District town with the widest accommodation choice for this leg. For the best time to visit Keswick and the Lakes, summer (June–August) is peak season with peak prices.

Snowdon, Llanberis — The Llanberis Path is the most-used Snowdon ascent (9km round trip, 5–6 hours). The village of Llanberis is at the trailhead and has hotels, B&Bs, and the Snowdon Mountain Railway (for those not doing the full walk). The larger town of Caernarfon (12km west) has more hotel options and is a natural end-point for National Three Peaks teams finishing with Snowdon.

The 24-hour drive route and what it means for accommodation

Most National Three Peaks teams drive between mountains through the night to hit the 24-hour target. The logistics:

  • Fort William → Wasdale Head: 6 hours by road (via A82 south, M6 north, then Cumbrian roads)
  • Wasdale Head → Llanberis: 3.5 hours by road (via M6 south, A55)

Accommodation for a 24-hour challenge is often booked at the END of the attempt: a hotel in Llanberis or Caernarfon for a post-challenge sleep. Most teams skip accommodation at Fort William and Wasdale to hit the time target. Booking a flexible-cancellation room at the finish point is standard practice — you may arrive at 4am.

Booking timing and what to check

Yorkshire Three Peaks: peak season is April–October. Summer weekends (June–August) are the busiest. Book 4–8 weeks in advance for Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Ingleton. Settled weather is most reliable May–June and September.

National Three Peaks: the Ben Nevis leg is accessible from April; Snowdon can have snow on the summit into May. The clearest weather window for all three in one challenge is late June–early August. Check the best time to visit Fort William for the full conditions picture.