For a relatively small island like the United Kingdom, it has some incredible sights to see. If you’re into mountain walking or hiking, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding some of the best walking challenges in Europe, if not the world. Let’s take a tour of 8 of the most inspiring and scenic walking challenges UK wide, from routes suited to beginners to hardcore walkers, there’s something somewhere for everyone.
Yorkshire Three Peaks
Length: 23.9 miles / 38.6 km
Ascent: 1585 metres
Time: Complete in under 12 hours
Level: Beginners
Peaks: Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
A perfect challenge to start with, especially for those new to mountain walking. The Yorkshire Three Peaks takes you on a circular route and, as the name suggests, sets you on a tour of three hills in the southern Yorkshire Dales including Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) Ingleborough (723m).
You’ll be blessed to see Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent along the way. Make sure you check out the Pen-y-ghent cafe to get proof of your achievement. One of very best way to spend 12 hours of walking you can have. Be warned, it can get busy during the Summer months and on Bank Holidays!
The Lyke Wake Walk
Length: 40 miles / 64 km
Ascent: 1524 metres
Time: Complete in under 24 hours
Level: Beginners
This might be the most famous walk on the list, and one that’s named after the journey through purgatory to death! What’s not to like about a walk based on that premise?
A favourite of charity walkers, the Lyke Wake Walk is one for those of you who like walking on the moors out in the fresh air. Just by completing it, you join the illustrious Lyke Wake Club. The men become ‘dirgers’ and the women ‘witches’. Let’s go!
Welsh Three Peaks
Length: 17 miles / 27.4 km
Ascent: 2334 metres
Time: Complete in under 24 hours
Level: Intermediate
For those of you who are a little more experienced in mountain walking, this challenge will test you. The Welsh Three Peaks covers north, mid- and south Wales, including Snowdon (1085m) in the North, Cadair Idris (893m), and Pen y Fan (886m) in the South, the challenge is to complete all three in one day; thankfully you get to drive to each peak between walks.
Each peak lets you see the best of the Welsh landscape which changes with each challenge. One for the summer to make sure you get the maximum daylight to complete it.
Cairngorms 4000s
Length: 21.7 miles / 35 km
Ascent: 2400 metres
Time: Complete in under 24 hours
Level: Intermediate
If you’re north of the border and think climbing 3 Welsh hills is for noobs, then the Cairngorms 4000 challenge might be the walk for you. The Cairngorms in the East Highlands has the most mountains (i.e. over 4000 ft) in the whole of the UK.
This walk requires you to conquer 5 of them in one epic looping walk; Cairn Gorm (1245m), Ben Macdui (1309m), Cairn Toul (1291m), Sgor an Lochan Uaine (1258m) and Braeriach (1296m). Make sure you have some sturdy boots to help you navigate the infamous Lairig Phru pass about half-way through.
The Mourne Seven Sevens
Length: 18 miles / 29 km
Ascent: 2495 metres
Time: Complete in under 12 hours
Level: Intermediate
The Emerald Isle across the Irish Sea has its own mountain challenge you might want to think about. This is one that is often considered more of a challenge walk or a mountain race, than a nice relaxing hike.
Using all of your mountain skills and testing your endurance levels, you need to tackle all of Northern Ireland’s 700m+ peaks within the Mourne Mountain range. Whilst there are fixed checkpoints to hit, you can make your own route. You will need a map and compass, especially if the weather isn’t great.
National Three Peaks Challenge
Length: 23 miles / 37 km
Total ascent: 3408 metres
Time: Complete in under 24 hours
Level: Pros
As we work our way through the list, we’re approaching those walks best suited for the most experienced walkers amongst you, or those seeking to push their limits. As the name suggests, this is a walk covering the three highest peaks in the UK, climbing the higheat mountains of England, Scotland and Wales. Namely, that’s Scafell Pike (987m), Ben Nevis (1345m) and Snowdon (1085m) respectively. The crux is that it has to be completed in under 24 hours.
Obviously you’ll have to drive from one peak to another (unless you want a REAL challenge), but there are a variety of ways of achieving it in any order you prefer.
Welsh 3000s
Length: 31 miles / Approx 50 km
Ascent: 3500 metres
Time: Complete in under 24 hours
Level: Pros
Peaks: Snowdon, Garnedd Ugain, Crib Goch, Elidir Fawr, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Tryfan, Pen Yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Yr Elen, Carnedd Llewelyn, Foel Grach, Garnedd Uchaf and Foel-Fras.
Once you’ve tackled the National Three Peaks and are wondering what the next challenge is, the Welsh 3000s might be the one to choose. Suitable for the fittest and more experienced walkers amongst you, it involves conquering all 15 of the highest mountains in Wales; in other words, every peak over 3000 ft, all within the space of 24 hours.
This time however, you DON’T get to drive between them, it’s all done on foot. Depending on the order in which you tackle them, it’s around 50km in total. As you would expect, the treacherous terrain and steep ascents mean this one isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Lake District 24 Peaks
Length: 31 miles / 50 km
Ascent: 3900 metres
Time: 24 hours (usually split over 2 days)
Level: Pros
No set of walking challenges would be complete without one that takes in one of the most stunning and beautiful areas of the country. The Lake District 24 Peaks is one that is going to push you to the limits, mentally and physically.
It requires you to climb each of the Lakeland’s highest 24 peaks. Each one of them is over 700m high. A walk that’s best spread over 2 days so you can tackle them in the order you prefer, each of the peaks offers new challenges but gives you the opportunity to test yourself on the infamous Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and many more of the most famous peaks the Lake District has to offer.
