Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Training Plan

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a 24 mile walk which involves climbing within 12 hours the tallest mountains of Yorkshire – Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. This challenge requires participants to be physically apt for it – you don’t decide to walk the equivalent of a marathon distance on a whim. To do so, it's advised to have a training programme or training plan. Below, we've given you some tips on how to succeed and finish the walk on the day. We also believe Bingley is the best destination in the North of England to train for this challenge!

1. Why choose Bingley?

• Easy Access

• Diversity of landscape

• Good community spirit

2. Walking Training Plan in Bingley

• Why should you train for this challenge

• Month 1 – Building up the base fitness level

• Month 2 & 3 – Building up the stamina

• Month 4 – Go for a big walk and then lower intensity

3. Tips on how to succeed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge

• Get the right gear

• Think about your timing

• Only take what’s necessary in your bag

• Navigation skills, map and app

Bingley is really close to many big cities in Yorkshire, Lancashire and beyond. Within a distance of 60 miles (100Km), there are 14.2 million people living in the area! From Liverpool to Hull and Newcastle to Nottingham, Bingley is right in the middle of the North of England! And it's very easy to travel to Bingley. We always encourage visitors to come by public transport and here are some facts about how easy it is to travel to Bingley by train.

The town of Bingley is located in the Aire Valley, a region largely shaped by the melting of glaciers after the last ice age. As a result, the landscape is extremely diverse and offers stunning scenery for visitors. Rolling hills, lush woodlands, and the meandering River Aire contribute to the area's natural beauty. Historic architecture, such as the Five Rise Locks, adds a cultural dimension to the picturesque environment. Nature enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the Goit Stock waterfall, a hidden gem nestled in the nearby Harden Beck, which provides a serene and picturesque spot perfect for relaxation and photography.

Additionally, Bingley’s proximity to Ilkley Moor offers even more opportunities for outdoor adventure. Ilkley Moor, famous for its rugged beauty and panoramic views, is ideal for hiking, bird watching, and exploring ancient rock formations. Baildon Moor, another nearby natural attraction, features expansive heathland, ideal for walking, cycling, and enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Whether you're exploring the tranquil canal paths, the dramatic landscapes of Ilkley Moor, or the open spaces of Baildon Moor, Bingley's diverse landscape promises a rich and varied experience.

Our town is celebrated for its strong community spirit and welcoming atmosphere. The “Walkers are Welcome" initiative is a testament to this, encouraging both locals and visitors to explore the town's beautiful trails and scenic routes. With well-maintained paths and local amenities tailored to outdoor enthusiasts, Bingley ensures that everyone feels at home. The town's commitment to promoting outdoor activities and fostering a friendly environment makes it an ideal destination for those seeking both adventure and a warm, inviting community. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, Bingley's hospitality is sure to leave a lasting impression.

And there are many shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs in town, so don't hesitate to visit them after your walks!

Below are a series of walks in the Bingley and surroundings area which we believe are perfect to be part of your walking training for the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. You don't have to do them all and you can cherry pick them depending on your own priorities. At least, we hope that it will give you some ideas and if you choose Bingley for one (or all) of the walks, we are sure you won't be disappointed!

That’s imperative. Your feet, your muscles and all your body will suffer. After all you are going to walk the distance of a marathon and ascend and descend almost 3 km! You might hit the wall and it could happen in the middle of nowhere with no shelter in view. If it’s the case, just stop, relax and get some energy back because you will probably have to carry on for a long distance before you can reach “civilisation” again. Before taking on the walk we advise you to build some solid level of base fitness and then go on some serious long walks because your feet need to be accustomed to such a vigorous challenge. You might be fit enough but it’s the walking that counts here so make sure your feet are ready.

If you are new to the outdoors and don't really go out walking, we advise you to get equipped first. Then during this first month of training, you want to build up a solid level of base fitness. So, go to the gym, run, swim or cycle during the week and then at the weekend go and explore the great outdoors. The idea is that your mid-week session are shorter cardio exercises, and the weekend session are longer focussing on endurance.

We've given you options of weekend walks you can do in Bingley during this first month. They are all between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes. You should try alternaternate between doing a brisk walk and a relaxed walk.

After building up your fitness level, it's time to maintain your stamina and increase your distance. During months 2 and 3, things should get more serious. With your new walking shoes broken in from previous walks, you can now pick up the pace and go on longer walks. If possible, aim for two walks a week.

The walks below are recommended for this period, ranging from 2 to 5 hours, and should be done at a fast pace.

Now that you've done quite a few walks, it's time for a “big one"—at least a full day, minimum 8 hours, and up to 20 miles. Think of it as a rehearsal for the “big day." If you complete it within the expected time, you should be ready for your Yorkshire Three Peak challenge. Prepare by packing your rucksack with all the necessary equipment, food, and drinks. Read more about what to take with you.

Below are some examples of challenging “big walks" that start, pass through, or finish in Bingley.

After completing a “big walk," relax and return to your base fitness by reducing the time and distance of your walks. Allow 3 to 4 weeks between the “big walk" and your Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. You should now be ready for the big day. Below are some tips to help you successfully complete your challenge. Good luck!

Before taking on the challenge, we invite you to have a look at both the Countryside Code and the Yorkshire Three Peaks Conduct Code. The Yorkshire Dales national Park is a beautiful place and should be kept this way. Parts of the walk are on Open Access land which means you can roam around as you wish. Outside it you will need to stick to Public Rights of Way or roads. Think about the wildlife and farm animals too especially in the lambing season.

First and foremost you will need a good pair of walking boots. Don’t turn up with a brand new pair though as you don’t want to “break” them in on that walk that might cause some real pain to your feet.  The weather is not on your side in the Dales and can change at any time. So have waterproof equipment (jacket and trousers). There is a temperature difference of between 3 to 5 °C every time you ascend one of the peaks compared to the bottom of the valley, regardless of the season. A pair of gaiters can be a good option too as  some parts of the journey are really boggy.

It takes between 8 to 12 hours to do the walk for the average person. Therefore daylight is your ally. You will have to start at the crack of dawn if you want to succeed. Maybe you should consider sleeping at a place near the walk? Don’t think that you can walk at night if you are inexperienced. Sometimes the paths don’t exist and you need navigation skills, plus some areas are full of shake holes without mentioning the bogs! So don’t take unnecessary risks and if you unfortunately have a problem on the way and need rescue, please call 999 or 112.

You want to travel light as you don’t want to put some unnecessary strain on your back and shoulders. Your rucksack should be between 3 to 5 kg max. You will need food and drinks essentially. We are not going to tell you what to take or not with you but when going on a long walk, a good advice is to make your own sandwiches, take some nuts and dried fruits with you and put them in plastic containers. They don’t get squashed and you can reuse the containers while foil or ready-made food packaging can be blown away. Same thing with drinks, try to reuse plastic bottles as much as possible. The amount of water you will need to take can vary depending on the person but we would advise to take about two litres of water with you. Take a bottle of energy drink too as you might need it to get your energy back towards the end. And remember only leave footprints and take pictures!

If you have never done it before, you will need a map and a compass. The correct Ordnance Survey (O.S) map is OL2 “Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western areas” . Although there is now technology at hand with smartphones apps and handheld GPS devices, we would still recommend taking a map and compass for backup. Indeed what would happen if your battery ran out? The Yorkshire Three Peaks is not sign posted at all and some of the paths are not that obvious so a compass will be required on some parts of your journey. So don’t just be a sheep and start following other people because you don’t know where they are going!

Have you ever done the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge yourself? Don't hesitate to share your opinion about this page and give us some feedback by leaving a comment below!