A Challenge Walk -
Designed To Test Endurance And Map Reading Skills

Saturday
28th March 2026

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The Three Peaks Trial is an organised challenge walk arranged each year in March by the Cardiff Outdoor Group. Since 2010 Longtown Mountain Rescue Team provide support with marshals on all the mountain top checkpoints.

The Walk was first held in March 1963 and was designed for less experienced walkers who wanted to test their powers of endurance and skill at map reading. It is now the oldest challenge walk in the UK.

Over the years the event has been modified so in 2026 there is a choice of four other routes: PLATINUM ROUTE (17 miles), GOLD ROUTE (20miles), SILVER ROUTE (15 miles) and BRONZE ROUTE (10 miles)

PLATINUM ROUTE AMENDMENT 2026: The PLATINUM ROUTE is a linear walk and goes from Llanthony Abbey to Abergavenny over Bal Mawr, Pen Cerrig Calch and Sugar Loaf. However an embankment supporting the road to the Llanthony Abbey drop-off point collapsed closing the road. Monmouthshire Council confirmed the road would not reopen before the 28th March. Therefore the drop-off point for 2026 is changed to the Queens Head near Stanton (GR 311222) and the first manned Checkpoint at Bal Mawr (GR 267271) is changed to Crug Mawr (GR 262226). For further details see the ' Platinum ' route tab.

THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN THE 2026 THREE PEAKS TRIAL CHALLENGE WALK!
The Results are now available at https://racetek-live.co.uk/website/public_results/2025/complete_results/.

First Finishers On Each Route:


The first walkers back on each route were:


(M) Laith Hofayz. 59, from Reading finished in a time of 4 hours 16 minutes
(F) Rachel King, 46, from Abergavenny finished in a time of 6 hours 37 minutes.


(M) Ed Fletcher, 32, from Abergavenny returned in a time of 4 hours 5 minutes.
(F) Olivia Parkin, 26, from Abergavenny completed in a time of 4 hours 30 minutes.


(M) Shaun Regan, 58, from Cwmbran got back in a time of 3 hours 57 minutes.
(F) Jo Guy, 47, from Westbury, Wiltshire completed in a time of 4 hours 48 minutes.


(F) Jane Thomas, 53, from Carmarthen got back in a time of 3 hours 57 minutes.
(M) Thomas Dyer, 37, from Abergavenny completed in a time of 3 hours 52 minutes.


Thankyou to:

A HUGE !!!THANK YOU!!!! from all at CARDIFF OUTDOOR GROUP to:

  • LONGTOWN MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM - for the superb work in marshaling all the mountain top checkpoints and providing vital safety cover and advice during the event, as always their help on the event is invaluable;.

  • All the 571 Walkers who took part in this year's Three Peaks Trial.

  • GWENT WILDLIFE TRUST who's volunteers gave huge help in a number of roles throughout the day to help ensure the event was a success.

  • MORRISONS SUPERMARKET, who donated squash and biscuits towards the supplies of refreshments given to walkers at the end of their challenge.

  • FORMER COUNCILLOR NICK TATUM of Abergavenny Town Council who helped in a number of roles throughout the day.

  • 1st ABERGAVENNY SCOUTS two of whom also helped check in walkers at Registration.

  • 5th ABERGAVENNY GUIDES two of whom also helped check in walkers at Registration.

  • FABIAN4/RACETEK who provided Registration support and on-the-day etag system.

  • Rees Travel, Abergavenny who supplied the bus for the Platinum Route.

  • THE CROWN, Pantygelli, who allowed walkers use of their outdoor tap.

  • Simon and Alison Howarthwho allowed us to use their outdoor tap at the Glangrwyney Road checkpoint.

  • MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS T-SHIRTS who produced T-shirts for the event

  • THE BEES KNEES CLEANING COMPANY who cleaned the halls after the event

  • Lee Jones (Welsh Man Walking) who has kindly done a great 15 minute video of his Platinum Route walk which you can see at YouTube Video

  • The charities and fundraisers who supported the event:




Lost Property

Do you recognize the lost property? It was left behind at the event. If it's yours then email threepeakstrial@gmail.com and we'll return it.


Walkers Photos, Video and Comments



Many thanks for sending photos and comments. (Any walker who has photos or comments to share, please email to threepeakstrial@gmail.com).

We're currently uploading the photos over the next few days to this web page. In the meantime, all the photos kindly sent to us can be seen at Google Photos

Video: Lee Jones (Welsh Man Walking) has kindly done a 15 minute video of his Platinum Route walk which you can see at YouTube Video

Walkers Comments:

Laith Hofayz, Reading
“I thoroughly enjoyed it, well organised, fab people and lots of fun! ”

Jackie Phillips, Abergavenny
“Thank you all so much for a lovely day. ”

Rob Allen, Abergavenny
“Thanks for organising this event, it was the first time I entered and I really enjoyed it. I did the Silver route but will do the Gold next year. ”

David Milson, Abergavenny
“Dear three peaks team. mainly just a massive thank you to the volunteers organising this event. I am so grateful and absolutely love this event. it was definitely a challenge and I had majorly sore feet after but on a massive high and know what I can do now. ”

David Davies, Tredegar
“Really enjoyed the day and thanks for organising it . ”

Arthur Cadman, Llangynidr
“ We very much enjoyed the event, thanks for putting all your efforts into organising. ”

Amanda Rogers and Anke Knueppel, Goettingen, Germany
“ We very much enjoyed the walk! Thank you. ”