No, for safety and planning purposes, you cannot register on the day of the event you must have completed and submitted the online registration form prior to the event.

You pay a non-refundable Registration Fee to enter the challenge followed by two instalments. The first instalment is payable 28 days from the date you registered and the second instalment 8 weeks before the event date. We will contact you via the email provided on your registration form with a secure link to make each payment through our payment provider, Worldpay when due. Failure to make payments on the due dates given may result in your participation being cancelled. 

Unfortunately no, dogs are not permitted by the coach company on the transport provided  to transport participants from Event HQ, Fort William to the start area in Glencoe.

Yes, a team member can withdraw at anytime but the organiser must be told immediately. You can replace a team member after registration has been completed but we will require you to update us with the substitutes details as soon as possible, if you have no replacement registration must be cancelled. Any changes to your registration within 6 weeks of the event will carry a £10 admin fee. This is for the purposes of insurance, planning and safety. Please ensure you contact us at admin@ptarmiganevents.co.uk if you wish to change or cancel/replace you or any of your team member’s. A substitution cannot be carried out if a team members entry has already been cancelled. Please note, T shirt sizes cannot be changed within 6 weeks of the event when a substitution has taken place.

You will receive an Event itinerary, a copy of the Event rules and The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, all by the email you provided at registration within 1 week of the event, nothing will be posted. If your email has changed since you first registered please let us know ASAP. If you require details beforehand, for example to book travel etc, contact us at admin@ptarmiganevents.co.uk

The Great Glencoe Challenge will have a number of wave starts (Wave A, B, C and so on) depending on participation numbers. Details of your allocated start times will be posted on the challenge web page no sooner than two weeks before the event date. On arrival at Event HQ at your allocated time you will be provided breakfast, tea & coffee before boarding the coaches that will take you down to the start point in Glencoe. You MUST allow adequate time for parking and to organise yourself in the morning as the timings are very tight.

You will be allocated your start time approximately two weeks before the event date. This will either be emailed using the email that you provided when you registered or uploaded to the Great Glencoe Challenge website. Those who have registered as a team will automatically be allocated the same start time. If you do not register as a team at registration it is highly unlikely that you will have the same start time. Please contact admin@ptarmiganevents.co.uk if you have forgotten to create your team at registration. Any changes after start times have been allocated will carry a £10 per person admin fee.

We require all participants to “Check-in” for the challenge prior to turning up at you’re your allocated start time on the day. Event “Check-in” opens at Event HQ, Glen Nevis, Fort William at 14:30 on the Friday and closes at 20:45 the same evening. You will also be given your participant bib & number, timing chip, T shirt and wristband. Direction signs placed along Glen Nevis road will help direct you to Event HQ upon reaching Fort William.

If you can’t make it on the Friday to check-in and collect your items, you can request a team member does this on your behalf. If you choose to do this you MUST notify us beforehand by emailing us at admin@ptarmiganevents.co.uk

Yes there are cut off times, trekkers have 12 hours to complete the challenge from when they set off from the start. Cut off times may come into play if trekkers arrive late into Checkpoint 2, Leven Centre at Kinlochleven (approx. halfway). If you have taken over 6 hours by this point, you will be assessed by staff/medics and may be taken off the challenge for your own safety depending on the circumstances. The second cut off is located at Checkpoint 3 Lundavra, at approx 6 miles from the finish. If you are taken off the event due to being behind time at either of these locations, there will be transport to take you to the finish point at Event HQ in Glen Nevis.

No runners are not permitted as the event is set up as a walking challenge. Runners overstretch both our safety and medical resources by getting too far ahead of the challenge which can result in missing checkpoints and timing mats leaving you exposed. Anyone found running the entire route risks being disqualified and will not be timed.

The route starts off from the visitor carpark on the other side of the River Coe across from the Clachaig Inn and follows a short section of Gravel path just before it links up with the main A82 and the first controlled road crossing point. There are 2 controlled road crossing points of the A82 that will require caution although we have our marshals and the local constabulary on hand to approaching motorists on. The route up out of Glencoe more or less handrails the main A82 for a time over mixed terrain made up of the old cattle droving roads, gravel tracks, narrow foot paths and some undefined paths through grass and heather… a little boggy in places to say the least! Once up out of the depths of Glencoe where you’re flanked on both sides by the Aonach Eagach ridge on your left and the famous 3 Sisters on your right, the route follows a rather boggy trail toward the infamous Devils Staircase on the West Highland Way. Turning north over the Devils Staircase the route follows the West Highland Way down into Kinlochleven, before rising again back onto the West Highland Way and into Glen Nevis. The route is sign posted all the way with three Checkpoints strategically placed along the route, with around 1600m plus of ascent over 26.2 miles it’s no easy feat!

As the event starts and finishes in Fort William, we advise booking your accommodation in Fort William (or as near to as possible) soon after registering for the challenge. The hotels, B&B’s, Guset Houses and campsites in the area fill up quickly at this time of year so best not to leave it until the last minute!

There are many hotels, guest houses, B&B’s and hostels within Fort William as well as two camp site options, one in Glen Nevis ideally located a few minutes walk from Event HQ/Finish and the Ben Nevis Holiday Park which is 5-10 mins drive from Event HQ. 

Details of where to find accommodation can be found on the Visit Scotland website at www.visitscotland.com or www.discoverglencoe.scot the latter is a fantastic source of information of what to see and do while visiting the area, as well as a great source of information on where to stay.

On the day we will have everything in place to help make your day and your experience of the Great Glencoe Challenge as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. We also have a medical emergency response and first aid provider in place should any injuries or emergencies occur. Transport facilities, water & snack stops, toilet stops at set locations on route, signposts to keep you on track so no real need for a route map although available to download on the GGC website, event marshals, staff and police at road crossing points, as well as checkpoints along the way to help us track your progress.

At the end there will be an evening meal barbecue/hog roast with a vegetarian option, a licensed bar serving refreshments before you set off home for a well-deserved rest! 

(Drinks from the bar are not included)

If you wish to cancel your entry you should inform us immediately by emailing admin@ptarmiganevents.co.uk Your registration fee is non-refundable however, if you notify us of your desire to cancel before the final balance date ( 1st May 2024), you may transfer the Registration Fee to any other Ptarmigan Events’ event. You will be required to re-register and your registration fee will then be deducted from an instalment at a later stage. Please visit https://ptarmiganevents.co.uk/terms-conditions/ for full details of our Terms & Conditions including cancellation, transfer and deferment.

Alternatively, you can opt to substitute your place providing you have not already cancelled your registration by emailing, admin@ptarmiganevents.co.uk Unfortunately we cannot accept any substitutions within 5 days of the event date – this is non negotiable!

This all depends on you and the fitness of you and/or your team. We recommend if you are new to endurance events that you go for Bronze at 23 miles, however this all depends on your training and what level you take yourself to from registering. If you initially register for Bronze, then you or your team exceed expectations, just drop us a line and let us know that you wish to pay the additional cost to change your finish category. Category changes cannot be made within 6 weeks of the event.

To register your team you first need to select a team captain and come up with a name at registration and let your fellow members know the team name, after which each member can select to join that team when they register themselves. Teams can be made from a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6. 

Yes, for individual entries you will be required to have experience in completing similar challenge distances and demonstrate a good level of fitness. For pair entries you must register as a team, have a team captain and provide a team name. Individual and pair entries will also be supported along the way at checkpoints by being provided with snacks & energy drinks, in addition a Bag Drop service will also be provided at certain locations along the route to allow for additional food & to make clothing & footwear changes where needed. 

No this challenge is for walkers only, running entries will not be permitted.

No, you self-fund your participation but are welcome to take part as a challenge to raise funds for the charity of your choice.

You will be emailed a secure payment link hosted by our payment provider, Worldpay. Entry costs will be paid over two instalments with a link being sent direct to the email you provided when you registered. The first instalment is non refundable and will be due approx 4 weeks after registration followed by the final instalment approx 6 weeks before the event date. Failure to make payment on the due dates may result in you or your teams participation being cancelled.

Unfortunately no dogs or pets are permitted on the 3 lochs Ultra.

Yes, you or a team member can withdraw at anytime but we must be told immediately. You can replace team members after registration has been completed but will require you to update registration. Any changes to your registration within 6 weeks of the event will carry a £15 admin fee. This is for the purposes of insurance, planning and safety. Please ensure you contact us at admin@ptarmiganevents.co.uk if you wish to change or replace you or any team member. Registration fees and first payment instalments are non-refundable if you cancel without replacement. T shirt sizes cannot be changed within 6 weeks of the event when a replacement has taken the place of a previous team member

You will receive a full training and participation guide full of useful tips on preparing and taking part, in addition you will receive a support crew guide and a copy of The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, all by the email you provided at registration. Make sure your email is correct or if it changes since you registered please let us know ASAP as this is the primary means of keeping in touch with you and your team.

The 2023 3 Lochs Ultra will start at approx. 8am. If sufficient entries are received, we may split into separate Wave starts. Details of these times will be made available nearer the event date. On arrival at Event HQ at your allocated time you will be provided breakfast, tea & coffee etc. You MUST allow for time for parking and to organise yourself and your team.

We expect the average completion time to be between 18 & 20hrs for those trekking the full 50 miles.

The team captain is the main interface between the team and the organiser

On the morning of the event you report directly to Event HQ in Luss at your allocated time (PLEASE DO NOT TURN UP BEFORE). When you arrive you will receive breakfast in the form of a breakfast roll, tea & coffee.

If the complete team can’t make it on the Friday to check-in to collect your team items, you can request one team member does this on the teams behalf. 

Breakfast will consist of one hot filled roll, porridge with tea & coffee, anyone requiring a more substantial breakfast prior to setting off is advised to bring along some additional food for breakfast …. and yes there will be a veggie option!!

Yes, parking will be provided for the duration of the challenge. The location will be confirmed nearer to the challenge date.

The Kit List and Training guide details the essential items that you must carry at all times. There are certain items that you can have within your Bag Drop kit bag. Please think carefully about what you leave in your kit bag – if the weather changes drastically you may regret leaving waterproofs in your bag sent ahead! 

It is vital that you bring all of the essential items on the kit list. You will be required to sign a kit list disclaimer form at event registration and there may be kit checks on the course, especially for those taking on the Gold route.

There will be Portaloo toilets located at Event HQ, and all checkpoints

If a team member or a whole team decide to retire from the challenge en-route it is essential you do so at a checkpoint and inform the checkpoint marshal who will hand remove your timing chip. 

Checkpoint 1, 3, 4 and 5 will have snacks available. Checkpoint 2 – Lunch, Checkpoint 6 will be Soup and filled rolls/baguettes. There are toilets, changing cubicles (at Bag Drop points), first aiders and energy drinks and water at all checkpoints. 

With the right training and preparation the 50 miles is achievable for most, but it is seriously tough with the crux being the last 15 mountainous miles through the Arrochar Alps! Whatever distance you take on you will need to dedicate time to train, especially if you are a team. Most individuals and teams will plan long weekend walks alongside some shorter evening sessions. It’s important that you practise on different terrain too, so you may need to factor in some travel time.

Good quality walking boots are the most important item, they have comfortable and well worn in. You’ll also need waterproofs (jacket with a fixed hood), and suitable clothing for all weather conditions. Socks, water bottles, layers and some personal medical supplies are also required – all of which can be picked up from any good outdoor shop. Once you’ve signed up, we’ll provide you with a full kit list and give you lots more advice in the build up to the event.

Most teams are made up of friends, colleagues or family members. If you’re having difficulty putting together a team, visit our Facebook page The 3 Lochs Ultra and post what you’re looking for, or simply enter as an individual if you have the experience and confidence in your ability.

For those taking on Bronze only the minimum age is 16 years old but accommpanied by an adult 18 years or older. Both Silver and Gold the minimum age is 18 yrs.

No Ptarmigan Events will prove all the support you need for the duration of the challenge however it is possible to have your own support crew if you want to. Please contact us for guidance on how to coordinate this.

No, access and parking is extremely limited at certain checkpoints however it may be possible to meet them at other points along the route. Please contact us for further details and guidance on this. 

The more you train the easier you will find the challenge, but you shouldn’t be on your own all the time, get friends involved even if they don’t plan to take part. Alternatively get a team together and train with them. You need to build up your endurance. You need to build up mental strength and stamina too. Everyone is different – you need to learn about yourself and your needs before the event. How often you need to drink, how tiredness affects you, which footwear you prefer, and so on. Training with a team will help you to set your pace, and to work out your roles within the team, and how best to support each other. People often find they get loads out of the training – it can mean quality time spent with your team partner or full team, as you all get fitter and prepare for the journey ahead.

The bag drop service is provided to save you having to carry all of your kit for the full duration of the walk. Decide which kit you need for each section of the walk and pack anything spare in to a small day sack and bring to the start area on the morning of the challenge. From here your bags will be transported to Checkpoint 2, then on to the Tarbet Finish area for you to collect when you finish.

Gold Route participants only will have a second bag drop option at Tarbet before heading up on to the latter section of this route.