The Challenge

Take on the Cardiff Three Peaks Challenge

The purpose (apart from having a good time) is to raise funds for Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team. We are the team who cover the central area of Bannau Brycheiniog down to Cardiff and Newport and the central South Wales Valleys. We are entirely funded by voluntary donations and all team members give their time for free. We work with the police, the ambulance service and the coastguard to search for and rescue people endangered by accidents or natural hazards in difficult terrain and inhospitable environments. Running the team costs tens of thousands of pounds a year and we need to raise this sum every year to keep helping people.

The Routes

We’re back – bigger, better, and with four incredible routes to choose from, meaning there’s now something for everyone. Whether you’re taking on your first challenge or ready to push for a new personal best, each option showcases the very best scenery, stories and steep bits that the Cardiff Three Peaks is known for.

Choose from our brand-new 7.2km Family Route, a shorter adventure that takes you up to the summit of The Garth; our short-ish 13km Route, which climbs The Garth before sweeping down through Fforest Fawr and past the iconic Castell Coch; our classic 21km Original Route, taking in The Garth, Craig yr Allt and Caerphilly Mountain; or the brand-new 37km Long One, which builds on the original three peaks with an extra summit – Mynydd Rudry – for those who want the ultimate challenge.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll experience some of South Wales’ most beautiful landscapes: open fell, forested valleys, working farmland, steep hill climbs and bubbling streams. You’ll pass historic landmarks, the site of a former coal mining disaster, the legendary Three Bears Cave, and even a fairy-tale castle rising through the trees.

When?

June 27th 2026. Start times will be 08:00 to 08:30 for the long route, O8:30 to 09:30 for the Short and Classic routes and 09:30 to 10:00 for the Family route.

For the Long route there will be a cut off at the Caerphilly Mountain feed station (which is at 14.5km) of 4 hours after starting. This equates to 3.7km per hour and means you will be finishing in approximately 10 hours.

Who Can Take Part?

We offer four routes with different age recommendations to help everyone enjoy the day safely.

Families of any age are welcome on the 7km Family Route; children aged 10+ can join the Short-ish Route; children aged 12+ can take on the Original Route (accompanied by a responsible adult at all times); and the Long One is recommended for adults only due to its distance and difficulty.

Well-behaved dogs on short leads are very welcome on all routes. Please be aware that some sections cross working farmland and livestock may be present, so extra care must be taken around farm animals.

What Kit Do I Need?

You will need comfortable hill walking boots or fell running shoes. You should also carry waterproof top and bottoms and a spare layer of clothes. Although it will be summer, this is South Wales! We will provide you with a rudimentary map and GPS file, but you will also need an Ordnance Survey map of Cardiff and surrounding are at a scale of 1:25000 or 1:50000. A compass and the ability to use it will also be needed. Some snacks and a small amount of drink should also be carried.

How to Enter

Think you’ve got what it takes? Choose your challenge:

• C3P Family Route — 7.2km, 171m ascent

£15 per child, adults go free.

Includes a children’s finishers medal and certificate of completion.

• C3P Short Route — 13km, 438m ascent

£28 per person.

Includes a medal & neck gaiter

• C3P Classic Route — 21km, 740m ascent

£35 per person.

Includes a medal & neck gaiter

• C3P Long Route — 37km, 1,160m ascent

£45 per person.

Includes a medal & neck gaiter

PLEASE NOTE. For the Long route there will be a cut off at the Caerphilly Mountain feed station (which is at 14.5km) of 4 hours after starting. This equates to 3.7km per hour and means you will be finishing in approximately 10 hours.

Raise more than £250 for Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team and we’ll refund your entry fee as a thank you for going the extra mile.

If you need to cancel more than a month before the event, we’ll refund your full fee (minus the online system’s administration charge). You can also transfer your place to a friend up to one week before the event if you can no longer take part.

ENTER HERE