Cornwall


<p>Catherine, Princess of Wales, has just announced that she has completed the notoriously-tough national&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaJCYkzN8Ab/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Three Peaks Challenge</a>. Part personal healing, part raising awareness for cancer treatments, the outdoors-loving princess has us inspired. Fancy taking on your own version, closer to home? Here’s what you need to know.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/Princeandprincessofwales/"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Kate-three-peaks-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Princess of wales on three peaks challenge" class="wp-image-18517" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @priceandprincessofwales</figcaption></figure>



<p>Happily, unless you want to, there’s no need to bomb between Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa within 24 hours. Here&#8217;s two you can try in Cornwall, and then a couple slightly further afield too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cornish-three-peaks-challenge-30km">Cornish Three Peaks Challenge (30km)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Carn-Brea-Cornwall-ID-92872002-Carn-Brea-©-Helen-Hotson-Dreamstime.com_-1000x667.jpg" alt="Carn Brea Cornwall" class="wp-image-41192" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Carn-Brea-Cornwall-ID-92872002-Carn-Brea-©-Helen-Hotson-Dreamstime.com_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Carn-Brea-Cornwall-ID-92872002-Carn-Brea-©-Helen-Hotson-Dreamstime.com_-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Carn-Brea-Cornwall-ID-92872002-Carn-Brea-©-Helen-Hotson-Dreamstime.com_-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Carn-Brea-Cornwall-ID-92872002-Carn-Brea-©-Helen-Hotson-Dreamstime.com_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carn Brea</figcaption></figure>



<p>Unlike the UK&#8217;s National Three Peaks, there&#8217;s no single official route for this Cornish version. Walkers and runners challenge themselves to visit the three summits in one day &#8211; St Agnes Beacon, Carn Marth, and Carn Brea.</p>



<p>Expect to cover around 18–21 miles (29–34 km), depending on the route you choose, with most people following a west to east route, starting at St Agnes. It combines Cornwall&#8217;s highest central granite hills with spectacular viewpoints, mining heritage, and varied terrain, without the long travel required for the National Three Peaks.</p>



<p>At 192m, St Agnes Beacon is the highest point on the north coast between St Ives and Newquay. Carn Marth at 235m is the highest of the three, and is located between Lanner and Four Lanes. Carn Brea is 228m, and offers views over Redruth, Camborne and Mount&#8217;s Bay on a clear day.</p>



<p><strong>Where to start:</strong> Beacon Drive, St Agnes, TR5 0NU, although it is small and fits only around 10 cars</p>



<p><strong>Where to pitstop:</strong> Pick up supplies in St Agnes, and many organise for a pitstop or vehicle to meet in Lanner with additional water. Redruth is nearby the finish where the Buttermarket has plenty of options for eating and drinking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roughtor-and-brown-willy-10km-circular">Roughtor and Brown Willy (10Km circular)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/brown-willy-sunrise-bodmin-moor-copy-1.jpg" alt="View from showery tor over to Broqn Willy on Bodmin Moor Cornwall" class="wp-image-20069" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/brown-willy-sunrise-bodmin-moor-copy-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/brown-willy-sunrise-bodmin-moor-copy-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/brown-willy-sunrise-bodmin-moor-copy-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/09/brown-willy-sunrise-bodmin-moor-copy-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roughtor and Brown Willy</figcaption></figure>



<p>Ok, so it is technically only two &#8216;peaks&#8217; or tors, but still a glorious and rewarding stomp that takes in the highest points in Cornwall and looks out to both coasts, plus it is a much shorter walk, so a good starting place. Although high for Cornwall, at 420 metres, Bodmin Moor is still not for the feint-hearted – wear boots, pack warm and waterproof clothes and keep your eye on the map. (Ben Nevis is 1,345 metres for comparison!)</p>



<p><strong>Where to start:</strong> Roughtor Carpark, near Camelford, PL32 9QG (no toilets, parking only)</p>



<p><strong>Where to pitstop:</strong> No obvious boozer on this walk though, but you’ll find post-walk pints at the Blisland Inn, a short drive away.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/12/Rough-tor-and-brown-willy-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Roughtor and Brown Willy (10Km circular)" class="wp-image-35788" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/12/Rough-tor-and-brown-willy-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/12/Rough-tor-and-brown-willy-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/12/Rough-tor-and-brown-willy-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/12/Rough-tor-and-brown-willy.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-further-afield">CHALLENGES FURTHER AFIELD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Kinder-scout-cs-1024x683.jpg" alt="Kinder Scout" class="wp-image-18520" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kinder Scout</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-peak-district">The Peak District </h2>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/princess-of-the-peaks-how-to-take-on-your-own-local-three-peaks-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Peaks Challenge</a>, sometimes called the Derbyshire Three Peaks, is a 21 mile circular hike. It challenges walkers to summit three of the area’s highest and wildest points – Kinder Scout, Bleaklow, and Higher Shelf Stones.</p>



<p>And Kate herself is no stranger to the Peak District, having joined mental health charity&nbsp;<a href="https://mindovermountains.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mind Over Mountains</a>&nbsp;on a Peak District stomp earlier this year.</p>



<p>Brace your glutes, because you’ll be climbing a total of 2,750ft (that’s about 840m). Phew! It can be done in a day if you put your mind to it, and there’s a slightly shorter&nbsp;<a href="https://thewanderingwildflower.co.uk/derbyshire-3-peaks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">18 mile option</a>. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/02/Kate-hike-by-davemacfarlane-1024x1024.jpg" alt="princess catherine of wales in peak district" class="wp-image-16717" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/davemacfarlane/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@davemacfarlane</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Want the reassurance and safety of doing it with a guide? Book onto High Peak Adventure’s guided&nbsp;<a href="https://highpeakadventure.co.uk/?page_id=54" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Derbyshire Three Peaks</a>&nbsp;(£55pp) for groups of between 3 and 10 people.</p>



<p><strong>Where to start:&nbsp;</strong>Bowden Brook car park is a popular start point and has toilets, or you could begin in Hayfield and fuel up first.</p>



<p><strong>Where to pitstop:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.thepackhorsehayfield.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pack Horse</a>&nbsp;in Hayfield is an award-winning gastropub with amazing food if you feel like rewarding yourself afterwards. Or try&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thesportsmaninn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sportsman</a>, a shade closer to the car park.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yorkshire-three-peaks">Yorkshire Three Peaks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Ingleborough-RB-image-1000x667.jpg" alt="Ingleborough" class="wp-image-41223" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Ingleborough-RB-image-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Ingleborough-RB-image-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Ingleborough-RB-image-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/07/Ingleborough-RB-image.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ingleborough </figcaption></figure>



<p>Yorkshire&#8217;s version of the Three Peaks Challenge is a 24 mile circular walk that takes in Pen-y-ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m). Like the rest of the challenges, it can be done in a day.</p>



<p><strong>Where to start:&nbsp;</strong>Most walkers start and finish the route in Horton-in-Ribblesdale and follow the official <a href="https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/things-to-do/get-outdoors/yorkshire-three-peaks/walking-the-yorkshire-three-peaks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walking the Yorkshire Three Peaks</a> guide.</p>



<p><strong>Where to pitstop:</strong> Many challengers arrange for a support vehicle to meet them at Ribblehead, and find pre- and post-challenge sustenance at various pubs in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scotland">Scotland</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/mac-mcdade-26tk2OonMFk-unsplash.jpg" alt="Munro bagging" class="wp-image-4982" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Munro bagging by&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/@macart?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mac McDade</a>&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>



<p>Or, if you want to head even further north, Johanna in Scotland has rounded up some <a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/scottish-peaks-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scottish options</a> including the West Highland Way Challenge (96 miles) and the frankly bonkers sounding 24 Hour Munro Challenge, in which participants aim to climb / bag as many of Scotland’s 282 Munros as humanly possible within a single 24 hour window, often working in teams with support crews handing out flapjacks and moral support at trailheads. It’s less a gentle stroll and more an endurance sport, but for serious hillwalkers it’s the ultimate bragging rights challenge.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/accessible-walks-cornwall/">12 accessible walks across Cornwall</a></li>



<li><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/pilgrimage-trails-cornwall/">Pilgrimage trails across Cornwall to try for your next walk</a></li>



<li><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/where-to-stay-to-walk-the-south-west-coast-path-in-cornwall/">Where to stay to walk the South West Coast Path in Cornwall</a></li>
</ul>


Princess of the peaks! How to take on your own local three peaks challenge

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