You could also do it for charity. I did it for dementia uk, and they had stands all the way around to offer support, drinks, snacks etc. it was really good to see them and plan pauses around the journey.
UK 3 Peaks is still on my list to do, but yeah I'd suggest it's entirely suitable. Hills are just a bit bigger in the national one, but you get some rest between them
I've not done the nationals but Ben Nevis in isolation ruined me for days. Very tough. Arguably tougher descent than ascent (ruined my knees and ankles). Was beautiful though.
Did two of them for my Duke of Edinburgh award in 1998. Left the other group with no maps/coordinates of where they were going and they got lost on the moors. The army had to rescue them. Fun times.
Bloody hell.. I mean I know it's 7 miles between Whernside to Pen y Ghent but surely you can see where you're going. Ingleborough isn't exactly inconspicuous either.
Done it numerous times. My prefered route is, starting from Horton., Ingleborough first, then across the valley to Whernside up the steep bit. Walk round to the pub at the viaduct. After a couple of pints head along the route to the Pennine way. Follow this down into Horton. A couple of pints in one of the pubs. By this time most day trippers will have buggered off home leaving you will a nice quiet stroll up PYG which more than likely you'll have to yourself and the group you're with. Then a steady walk back into Horton. Good luck. After this then go for the National 3 peaks. If you're feeling energetic then there's always the little stroll across the North Yorks moors to do the Lyke Wake walk. It's only 40 miles in 24 hours.
I didn’t find it that difficult physically when I did it but I was a bit slimmer & pretty fit back then. Lots of football & biking meant the fitness was there. The main things I’d say is make sure you put cream on. I didn’t see the sun all day yet still got burnt. The downhills were worse than the uphills. Coming down off the 2nd one (I’m presuming everyone does the same route) is treacherous. It’s so easy to go over on your ankle. Then when you get to the top of Whernside don’t think you’ve cracked it. Mentally I thought job done once I got to the top of there but we had another 2 hours or so of walking after that.
Reight enjoyed doing em in the day I guess every ex servicemans done at least one of em, remember training for the national 3 peaks when we were stationed in York, garrowby hill was our regular training area, wish I could do any hill these days, good luck fella, tek a few bananas an av a couple before you start.
You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to do the walk - being lucky with the weather and being prepared if you're not lucky - is the main thing. You're unlikely to lack company! You might find this useful. https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/things-to-do/get-outdoors/yorkshire-three-peaks/
Not sure of you're age or fitness but coming down is harder than going up, so at least one stick is advisable and good socks and boots. I use alpaca woolen socks well worth the money. Hope you do it and best of British.
All this mentioning of it being a busy route, we did it in May about 3 years ago and I'd say we saw about a dozen other people in total over the whole route.
Did it twice in 2022 including the shortest day of the year. Park up in Horton at the car park (There’s toilets there) - Pen y Ghent to Whernside to Ingleborough then back to Horton. 1. Make sure your feet are comfy!!! Decent socks are a must. 2. Pace yourself. 3. Plenty of food to snack on eat small and often. 4. Electrolyte drinks. 5. If using Google maps to get there download offline maps you’ll lose signal at some point. 6. Download ‘All Trails’ app have a good look at the route before you turn up. 7. I’d recommend making sure you’re up and off walking as early as possible (Easier in summer with longer daylight). 8. Wear cycling shorts. 9. Sun cream if near summer months. 10. You’re as quick as the slowest in your group. 11. Downhill is a lot harder on your knees and legs take your time. 12. Put anti blister plasters on before you start (get em off eBay a lot cheaper) There’s loads of videos of people doing it on YouTube which will give you an idea of the terrain. I got wind burn when I did it in March and didn’t realise it was a thing Enjoy
Did it a few years ago, got round in about 10/11 hours from memory. If you do a bit of hill walking already you’ll find it tiring but you’ll be fine. When all’s said and done, it’s only walking, you’ve just got to be prepared to do it continuously all day! I did it the Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, Inglebrough way round. Pen-y-ghent is steep but a nice walk and you’re fresh at that point so you can enjoy it! Whernside is a more gentle climb but much longer so felt like a slog. Inglebrough is steep but good fun cos there’s a bit of mild scrambling if you go the direct route. My low point was Inglebrough back to Horton - it’s not far but the path goes over a lot of exposed limestone which has been polished to an almost mirror like sheen by the passage of thousands of feet, and which is not what you need when you’re starting to flag! As others have said, the climbs are hard work but the way down is probably harder - take some walking/ski poles! If you get a couple of 15ish mile walks in you beforehand out in the Peak District you’ll get round no problem, your knees just won’t thank you the next day. Take a hat and sun cream - I reckon the sun did for me more than the distance did! And enjoy it, it’s a lovely walk and the scenery’s great. On a clear day you can just about see the hills in the Lake District from the top of Whernside and you can see the sea from the top of Ingleborough.
I've done it with no training. I'm not a fitness fanatic but just your average person who plays some 5 a side football. Unless your seriously unfit then I honestly don't think that you need to train for it. Get well prepped (food, drinks, clothing) and away you go.