3 LAKES CHALLENGE
Done the 3 peaks challenge? This adventure truly tests your upper body endurance as you canoe the 3 Lakes Challenge. The longest Llyn, Lake and Loch in Britain!
Each location is stunning, offering epic canoeing along with incredible views and tranquillity. Don’t let the peace fool you too much though… this adventure can be tough if the weather is wicked to you.
Your ‘warm up’ is in Wales, paddling the length of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) to warm up those arms! Honing vital skills and techniques you’ll need for the longer paddles ahead! The next day, you’ll be up early to canoe along busy Lake Windemere for 11 miles, watching out for Steamers and casual rental boat dreamers. Your third challenge is the big one: 25 miles along Scotland’s mighty Loch Awe.
Be inspired and excited by the sheer scale and beauty of each location. This canoe challenge is designed for all abilities… shout if you want to go faster! Our instructors will guide and motivate you, keeping you safe… and keeping you going.
Are you ready for the next ultimate challenge? You’re in the right place.
Let’s go… the water’s waiting!
- Brace Yourself
- Weekend, Midweek
- Canoeing
- Expedition
- Only available for booking with a minimum of 6 participants.
The Three Lakes challenge suits all motivations whether it is for a personal challenge or just for the enjoyment of an Addictive Adventure. If you have a particular goal in mind e.g. the fastest time please let us know. Otherwise we go at the pace of the group and three days gives us plenty of time to accommodate all abilities. We recommend that you have canoed before. If you haven’t please contact us before booking for advice and a training trip.
Day 1:
Meet us in Bala for around 10:30 for a pre challenge briefing, you will get to know your fellow Addictive Challenge buddies and meet our amazing staff. Then we will head off to our first lake Llyn Tegid. We’ll paddle out towards the beautiful Aran mountain range and keep your head down as its often windy. The paddle is seven miles long and is a good warm up for what is to come. This can take anything from one hour to four hours depending on the weather. The town of Bala has beautiful cafes and shops. Stock up before we hit the road and head north to the Lake District. Tonight, we will be staying in a lovely hotel in Windermere. We advise a good night’s sleep!
Day 2:
After a hearty breakfast we set off on an 11 mile paddle of Lake Windermere. The beautiful islands, boats and birds soon disappear as we head off into the distance and get stuck into this challenge. The Windermere challenge can take up to five hours, so we don’t have time to stop and shop. When you’ve crossed the lake, enjoy some food and rest as we drive you north of the border. Now’s your chance to let your body get ready for your final challenge in Scotland. Tonight, you will be sleeping on the minibus as you are driven safely and smoothly onto our final big day.
Day 3:
We start early as this is the big one – Loch Awe! All 25 miles of it!
The Argyll and Bute region of western Scotland stretches to within a few miles of the sea and is by far and away the most beautiful and spectacular challenge yet. It’s rugged and remote, inspiring the adventure addiction in you. The banks are lined with conifer forests of the Ben Cruachan mountain range. If you are lucky you may spot deer, castles, otters, Golden Eagles or even Haggis!
Celebrate your efforts as we toast your incredible achievements. You are now well and truly Addicted (we hope) and you can look forward to the many more adventure days available to you and your newly made friends. When you are ready we will make our way to our hotel for hot showers, dinner and celebrations.
Day 4:
After a good night’s sleep (You’ve earned it!) and a wholesome breakfast we will load the minibus for the drive back to the start. Timings permitting please advise our friendly driver if you’d like to stop anywhere on route for a short snack or photo opportunity. I’m sure that you can understand we can’t stop everywhere as we have a set time to make the journey but will try and be accommodating.
- Transport – From Bala and return
- Hot drinks (from flasks)
- All activity equipment
- Maps, navigation (to steer you on course)
- Qualified leaders to coach and guide you
- Accommodation with breakfast and some dinners
- Travel insurance – Activity Insurance is!
- Travel to start point – Bala
- Extra snacks and drinks. There are plenty of shops so you can get your favourite things
- Lunches and some Evening Meals
- Please understand we will not accept anyone drinking, drunk or hungover during activities.
- Hotel in twin or double rooms
The maximum group size is 12 people.
Bigger groups can be arranged by special request but may use multiple venues to minimise impact on our beautiful but fragile environment.
- A good pair of watersports shoes and neoprene socks
- Towels
- Small travel pillow
- Cycling or watersports gloves
- You can get our full trip packing list below
The weather is highly changeable so we advise you to pack everything listed on the kit list – you could be paddling in a t-shirt and an hour later need to wear a full fleece and waterproofs. Your guide will let you know pre-departure if the weather conditions are particularly extreme. You should expect a mix of sun, rain and wind.
Breakfast is either a cooked breakfast or continental. We will collect fresh food on route to make cold buffet lunches. Please tell us pre-departure of any dietary requirements.
It’s classed as Tough. You need to be quite fit!
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