Coriarna Morris
With our Yorkshire Three Peaks Fundraising Challenge fast approaching some members from our Staffordshire group thought they would get some training in by taking on 3 of Staffordshires most prominent peaks. Regional Manager Coriarna tells us how it went!
Staffordshire Three Peaks Challenge – Sun, Sweat & Summits! ☀️⛰️
As part of our training for the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, a few of us from the Staffordshire walking groupdecided it was time to test ourselves a little closer to home. So, we took on the Staffordshire Three Peaks Challenge – a scenic (and sweaty) adventure across three beautiful local peaks in one day. 😅
🌡️ With temperatures forecast to reach 28°C, we knew it was going to be a tough one, but the cloud cover gave us hope — so we packed our gear, loaded up with sunscreen and water, and off we went!
🏞️ Setting Off from Gradbach
We met bright and early at Gradbach, where there's a small (but free!) car park — one of us even snagged the very last spot. The rest of us parked at a nearby farm for £5, just next door. Our crew of seven included Robyn, Katie, Jess, Jennie, Ruth, Ollie, and me!
👟 For a day like this, I went with trusty walking boots and my all-important comfy walking socks (a must!). We did a quick kit check – water, sweets, blister plasters, and the all-important factor 50 – before heading out on our first climb.
🪨 Peak 1: The Roaches (505m)
Although not the highest of the three, we started with The Roaches, as it's a steady climb and we were starting from one of the lowest elevations.
After a pit stop at the lovely Gradbach Café (yes, they have open toilets – a hiker’s dream!), we passed the Gradbach Scout Camp and entered the shaded woods – a welcome relief from the sun! 🌳
The trail soon turned into a relentless uphill slog, taking us past the iconic gritstone boulders that make The Roaches a favourite among climbers. (Yes – gritstone is the rock type found here!).
🏁 At the top, we reached our only trig point of the day – so, of course, we took the obligatory individual and group selfies! 📸
Tempted by the nearby ice cream van (which had finally arrived), we made a tough but proud decision to skip it and keep moving. Onwards we went, past the quaint school tucked into the landscape – seriously, what a place to learn!
⛰️ Peak 2: Oliver Hill (513m)
From here, it was a descent into a peaceful valley and over a small stream before a stretch of road walking. Honestly, with the heat, the flat roads gave us a great chance to pick up the pace and recover a little.
We made our way into the charming village of Flash, known for being the highest village in Britain, sitting at 463m above sea level. 🏡⛪️ We stopped in the churchyard for a shaded lunch break – sandwiches never tasted so good! 🥪
After lunch, it was a short but steady climb up Oliver Hill, which sits just behind the village. There’s no sign or trig at the summit, so we celebrated at a small broken wall we decided was the top 😂 – cue more group photos!
🏔️ Peak 3: Cheeks Hill (520m)
From Oliver Hill, we walked over fields and farm tracks toward our final and highest summit – Cheeks Hill. It’s not only the highest point in Staffordshire, but also the most northerly point of the county! 🧭
The summit is marked by a small hummock – blink and you’ll miss it! But we didn’t miss the chance to celebrate with a photo and a high-five. 🥳
💦 Wild Swimming (Attempted) at Three Shires Head
With the temperature still rising, we made our way to the Three Shires Head – a beautiful, triple-county meeting point with a stunning waterfall and pools. We'd packed our swimming gear and hoped for a peaceful dip…
But… we weren’t the only ones with that idea! 🏊♂️ It was packed – a total sensory overload after hours of quiet countryside. Kids jumping into the river, dogs splashing, picnics everywhere – a summer hotspot if ever there was one!
So, we kept moving until we found a quiet little bridge. Shoes off, we cooled our feet with a paddle in the icy water ❄️ (and tried to convince each other to go all in… but nope, way too cold!).
🍦 Sweet Treats & The Final Push
The final stretch took us back to the car park, and just as we arrived – there it was: the ice cream truck! 🍦 We finally caved in and rewarded ourselves with ice cream and cold drinks, a perfect way to end a big walk.
🥇 Final Stats
Route on Komoot 📏 Distance: 18 km ⏱️ Time: Just over 6 hours 🌡️ Weather: Scorching but beautiful 👣 Peaks: The Roaches, Oliver Hill, Cheeks Hill 🧊 Ice cream: Well-earned!
🙌 Final Thoughts
Huge well done to everyone in the group – it was a tough but incredibly rewarding day. The route gave us great hill training, a solid navigation challenge, and a taste of what’s to come on the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Next stop: Yorkshire! 🏔️💪
You can donate to our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge here
What I Learned from the Three Peaks Staffordshire Challenge 🥾⛰️
1. Hydration is key 💧 – Take more water than you think you need. Dehydration sneaks up fast, especially on warm days and long climbs.
2. Fuel your walk 🍬🍏 – Haribo sweets = lifesavers. Apples = refreshing. Bringing a variety of snacks keeps energy (and morale) high.
3. Pack smart 🧢🧴 – A hat and sunscreen are essential. Even when it's cloudy, the sun will find you.
4. You're not alone 🚶♀️🚶🚶♂️ – Everyone else had the same idea. Expect a crowd, but embrace the shared energy.
5. Be prepared for the unprepared 🎒 – Someone will forget something. Be helpful, be kind, and be ready.
6. Storytelling matters 🎤 – Have something to talk about! Katie’s story was captivating – seriously, it's going to be a Netflix drama 🎬.
7. Share the journey 🧃🍫 – Share snacks, stories, and encouragement. It makes the day richer.
8. Keep going 💪 – Break the challenge into sections. Reaching each checkpoint is a little victory.
9. Check the road 🗺️ – Stay aware of the path and plan. Saves time and keeps everyone on track.
10. Have a birdwatcher 🐦🔭 – Someone who knows their skylark from their starling makes things way more interesting.
11. Celebrate the finish 🍦 – Get that ice cream. You’ve earned it! Or that pint!!! And take that photo! I love a trig picture!