UKC

This year I did the Welsh 3000s (in around 11hrs I think), with not too much training.  I'm looking for suggestions for a good running challenge for 2019.  An interesting and challenging route is more important than absolute distance.  I think something similar to the Welsh 3000s, I'm not up to a Bob Graham round so something between the two.  All suggestions  welcome.

What about some think like the Lakes in a day route (https://www.lakesinaday.co.uk) – you could avoid the grim October weather and modify it to come across from Ambleside into Langdale etc if not hilly enough, but the Scafell and then Helvelyn parts are a good challenge. 

Not quite up to the Welsh 3's but a grand day out in Derbyshire is Kinder 3 times.

Start Hayfield, up Williams Clough, along North Edge, down Fairbrook to the Snake Inn.

Over the short crossing to Edale.

Up Grindslow Knoll, along edge to Kinder Low and down to Hayfield.

Lots of uphill to get your legs going.

My best time was 3h 50m but I bet you can beat that!

Some Scottish routes here: https://www.stevenfallon.co.uk/multi-munros.html

I'd suggest 4,5 and 8. Also the round of Glen Lochay above Killin is a good longish day out which takes you through some surprisingly remote country for somewhere so far South in the Highlands.

A couple of other routes spring to mind. Firstly you could "do" Glencoe or at least the Three Sisters and the Aonach Eagach. Secondly the Tranter round which is a kind of Ramsay Round Lite if you like.

Old County Tops or Lakes 3000s are both fantastic days out and fit the 'a bit less than the Bobby G' criteria...

Tranter's Round, both sides of Glen Sheil, Glen Coe Skyline loads to choose from.

Also, you say you're not up to a BG but if you did the Welsh 3000ers in that time on not much training you probably are.

County Tops is definitely a good shout. 

If Wales is convenient to you, the Leventons Line is a good challenge and can be tackled solo and unsupported or better solo with some drop offs (water and grub) at the few minor road crossings. It takes little organisation so can be done at short notice when weather permits, it deserves more attention as a good long day out.

Being linear is not a problem as you park up in Barmouth and take the bus to the start at Llangollen, have a look on it on the gofar site and for other inspiration.

https://www.gofar.org.uk/LeventonsLine.html

I’d put the Old County Tops is a similar effort the Welsh 3000s, without quite the purity of the challenge. Try and pick a partner with similar fitness, rather than someone coasting at your pace

The Abrams tea room round is building a bit of a following, looks good too

https://www.georgefisher.co.uk/blogs/george-fisher-blog/2017-02-24-abrahams...

No affiliation by the way, just looks like a good day out

Quite a bit easier because of there only being 3 and them being smaller, but the Yorkshire 3 Peaks give you roughly a marathon if done in one go.

That looks great! Right up my street

The ring of fire is worth a look in Dumfries and Galloway.

https://www.gofar.org.uk/ringoffire.html

It's off the beaten track and when I did it a couple of years back I didn't see another soul, it's good running up high but its pretty rough going lower down in the valleys. It was about 85kms and 4500m ascent.

Iain 

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions there!

James

If you're up for a cycle in between, the Scottish 4000's is on my to-do list for this year.

4 munros, a 60mile cycle, then the remaining 5 munros!

~32miles/13,400ft ascent

The Lakeland 3000ers is a long day. You can make it a bit harder, and thus I guess more equivalent to the Welsh 3000s, by adding extra summits: The Dodds are logical, as are Great/Green Gable and some of the Newlands peaks. That puts it somewhere between the standard 3000ers and a BGR in terms of challenge. Here's an article about it:

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/lakeland_3000-ers_plus_...

and the accompanying Route Card:

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=483

When it comes to big logical hill rounds, Scotland is your oyster of course.

We've got an ongoing article series on UKH that covers this sort of thing. The Big Routes...

South Cluanie Ridge https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/the_big_routes_south_cl... (which you could extend out over Sgurr na Sgine and The Saddle for full effect)

Mullardoch round https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/the_big_routes_the_mull...

All the Kintail Munros https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/the_big_routes_all_the_...

You could do half a Ramsay (all the Mamores, or Grey Corries to The Ben). As per Lochaber Traverse https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/the_big_routes_lochaber... 

A few other ideas: Circuit of Glen Coe (like a Skyline, but possibly plus a bit if you like); Cairngorms 4000-ers; Trotternish Ridge; all the Crianlarich Munros...

There's a book (of mine, ahem) full of this sort of thing:

Great Mountain Days in Scotland https://www.cicerone.co.uk/great-mountain-days-in-scotland

How about the Cumbrian Traverse?  That seems to be having a bit of a resurgence and it's a lovely route.  Logistics are a bit tricky, but if you can overcome that it's well worthwhile.

https://www.gofar.org.uk/CumbrianTraverse.html

Also, how about the Frog Graham Round if you can swim a bit?  It's about 40 miles and 16,000ft of climb, so not really as tough as a proper Bob Graham Round.  Not to be sneezed at though!

https://www.froggrahamround.co.uk/

I supported a mate on that last year, a great day out.

Nice! Other than bicycle/food/spare clothes was there anything else you did specifically that you think helped?

I have someone in mind to help support but don't want to miss anything stupid having not done anything like this before.

Keeping his spirits up with an incessant stream of inane banter.

Have a look at the Beddgelert Parish Boundary, it’s about 1/2 a Bob graham. Some pretty unique territory.

There is enough here to keep you busy for a lifetime,

https://www.gofar.org.uk/ukultrasbyregion2.html

The Knoydart 7 looks the most interesting to me,