CONTENTS
THE THREE PEAKS
The most famous time trial trek in the United Kingdom and Ireland is the Three Peaks Challenge. It consists of summiting the three highest peaks of the three nations that make up the island of Great Britain - England, Scotland and Wales. That means Ben Nevis in Scotland, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1345 metres above sea level, Snowdon in Wales, 1085 metres, and Scafell Pike in England, 978 metres.
Traditionally, the goal is to get to the top of all three and back down in just 24 hours. That might sound challenging in itself, but don’t forget that these mountains are located in three different countries with 462 miles of driving between them! The two journeys between the start and end points take between 10 and 12 hours, leaving you not much more than 4 hours for each peak! You need a designated driver if you’re going to attempt this challenge - and preferably one who’ll be happy to drive in silence while you grab some sleep in the car!
Nowadays, a 36-hour timeframe is seen as a worthy alternative which is a much more attainable target for your average walker and gives you more of a chance to enjoy the three hikes that take place in the stunning surroundings of the Scottish Highlands, England’s Lake District National Park and Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
THE TEN TORS
This is an annual event, organised by the British Army, that takes place in Dartmoor National Park every year in early May. It’s aimed at young people, who compete in groups of six to complete routes of 35, 45 and 55 miles - depending on their age and experience - that connect tors on the moor.
Tors are rocky outcrops that are found in the harsh uplands of Dartmoor, often on windswept hilltops. The Ten Tors itineraries often do not follow established paths and trails so participants must use orienteering skills and be prepared to trailblaze across rough terrain, as well as to camp or bivouac in the wilds. I myself can attest to the challenging conditions of the landscape and the climate on Dartmoor, having taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award which included a 4-day unsupported trek across the moor.
THE FOUR PEAKS OF IRELAND
This challenge is not as well known as the Three Peaks or the Ten Tours, but it deserves a place on the list due to the fact that some of the highest mountains in the British Isles are found on the Island of Ireland. The four peaks are the highest mountains in each of the four provinces of Ireland, meaning that this challenge will take you to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The mountains are: Carrauntoohill, Country Kerry, which is the highest mountain in the province of Munster at 1040 metres above sea level. Lugnaquilla, County Wicklow, at 925 metres the highest peak in Leinster. Mweelrea, County Mayo, the highest point of Connacht, and Sleive Donard, 840 metres, which is in Northern Ireland's County Down and is the highest point in the province of Ulster.
Being not so well established as other routes, there’s no generally accepted itinerary or timeframe for summiting these four magnificent peaks. It can be done in 24 hours, but this isn’t recommended to any but the most experienced hikers. Two days is a more realistic goal, or three - with a day each for Carrauntoohill and Lugnaquilla and one more for Mweelra and Sleive Donard.
MUNRO BAGGING
The fourth entry on our list earns only an honourable mention, in spite of probably having more participants than any of the others - perhaps all of the others combined. But we can’t describe it as a timed challenge, because the estimated time that’s needed to complete it is about 23 years!
So what is a Munro, and how do you bag one? Munro is a Scottish term for a mountain with an elevation of over 3000 feet, or roughly 914 metres. Peaks of this height in Wales and Ireland are not included on the list, but Scotland alone has an impressive 282 of them. To climb to the top of one of these mountains is to bag it.
Both the sheer number and the distribution of the Munros, from Loch Lomond in the south to the Cairngorms in the Northeast, across the vast region of the Highlands and even on islands in the Hebrides, make bagging them all more of a lifestyle choice than a goal to tick off a to-do list. That estimate of 23 years is based on climbing 12 every year! Of course, the majority of people who’ve climbed a Munro or two aren’t aiming to bag them all, but anyone who sets themself the challenge of getting them all will have a lifetime of fantastic journeys and hikes as a reward.
SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY
The hikes, treks and adventures in this article go to show that the simple act of walking in the wild places of the British Isles can be as intense and demanding as any other outdoor pursuit. For that reason, attempting any of the challenges on the list shouldn’t be taken lightly. Experience is essential, preparation is key and, in some cases, training is a must. If you’re interested in hiking but you’re not sure where to begin, check out our complete guide to hiking in the UK and guided hike experiences that we list.
Finally, we want to emphasise that the natural environment isn’t just a playground, a place to push ourselves and prove our prowess. We also have a responsibility towards the wilderness areas of our island home. To treat them with respect, we have to both work to protect them and understand the risks involved in entering them. For a set of widely accepted guidelines on how to behave in the great outdoors, check out the Leave No Trace principles.
If we’ve inspired you to think seriously about attempting one of these challenges, we wish you the very best of luck. If not, no problem! You don’t have to have a specific goal in mind in order to head out into Britain and Ireland’s National Parks and open spaces. We know that you'll enjoy the time you spend there, whichever path you take.
