Barmouth To Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race

Sail the West coast of the UK and run up Snowdon, Scafell Pike & Ben Nevis. ( #3pyr)

Next race; June 15th 2019

The Three Peaks Yacht Race is actually two seperate events. . . . .

The Race is aimed for those atheletes that are competitive and want to engage in one of the toughest UK races. The race usually lasts for 3-4 days depending upon how much the weather co-operates!
The Challenge follows the same course but is aimed at teams that wish to experience this incredible course with an aim to complete the course in 7 days, but do not be deceived this is still tough!

The course is from Barmouth to Fort William, with team members climbing the highest mountains of Wales, England and Scotland en route, running /walking the equivalent of three marathons.


Barmouth to Caernarfon

The first leg starts from Barmouth, yachts sail approximately 62 sea miles, past Bardsey Island and the Lleyn Peninsula, over Caernarfon Bar and into Caernarfon. A compulsory five-minute kit check by marshals is carried out before the team set off to the summit of Snowdon via the Mountain Ranger Path and return via Llanberis, a distance of 24 miles.

Caernarfon to Whitehaven

Here crews can opt to sail around the isle of Anglesey or continue, under sail only, through the Menai Straits. This has been an interesting decision for some skippers to make in previous years.

After a further sail of approximately 100 sea miles yachts arrive at the marina in Whitehaven where another set of marshals await. This is the longest land leg of the race, the distance to Scafell Pike and back being some 40 miles, so bicycles are allowed for the first part.

The ride is via a cycle path and forestry track. Cyclists should be aware that this track is not suitable for bikes with racing tyres. Racers leave bikes at Black Sail Youth Hostel before crossing Black Sail Pass to Wasdale Head. Here they will be met by friendly marshals at Wasdale Head Hotel, this time with food and drink! Runners then proceed to the summit of Scafell Pike and return to their yacht via the same route.

Whitehaven to Fort William

This sailing leg is a distance of approximately 227 sea miles rounding the Mull of Kintyre and into the Sound of Jura, through some of the most beautiful scenery but with many tidal gates to negotiate. The race finishes just north of Fort William at Corpach, the entrance to the Caledonian canal where the sailing is over and skippers can lock in to Corpach Basin and lie alongside.

After checking in with the marshals, set off to the summit of Ben Nevis. The course finishes when they return and cross the finish line.