Three Forts Hill Trail Challenge - 14/02/2026

13.5

Miles

Distance
2967

Ascent

Feet
2760

Descent

Feet
9

Hours

Cut Off
200

Runners

Entry Limit
Enter Event
14/02/2026

Three Forts Hill Trail Challenge

The Three Forts Trail Challenge is set in the heart of Northumberland National Park and includes many splendid uninterrupted views to the far horizon and many undulations along the way. You will pass over and through Humbleton Hill Fort, Akeld Hill Fort and Yeavering Bell. In order to prove that you made it to the third hill fort! You must adorn yourself with an item from the fort loot box and take a selfie. Group selfies are allowed.

This is a challenging walk with just under 3000 feet of ascent, but the views available are well worth the effort. You are all passing through some ancient historical areas. Yeavering Bell is the largest remaining hillfort in England and dates back to the noelithic period. Although this a challenging walk, we have tried to allow as much as time as possible for you to round the course. The time limit for the walk is 9 hours. Which should still leave plenty of time for all those selfies.

ENTER NOW PRE EVENT INFO

Entry includes:-

  • Bespoke Award
  • Electronic race timing by TOTS
  • Instant Online results by TOTS
  • Feed stations – water and sweets, more substantial snacks and drinks on longer events
  • Fully marked and marshalled route
  • Medical Cover
  • Free event parking
  • First male and female, first in age category. Level up for free!
  • Digital photography of event and entrants
  • Chance to purchase bespoke event t-shirt

Entries

Book your place now. ENTER NOW

Cut Offs

The event must be completed within 9 hours. There are additional cut off times for the checkpoints. Please see the checkpoints below for further information.

Route and Course Markings

The course will be marked with signs and flags, marshals will also be on hand at key points on the route. Please remember that navigating the course is your responsibility. The course is virtually all off road, but at the time of year the event is held. Conditions can vary from boggy, frozen and snow. Sometimes you may even get all three.

First Aid

All of the check points have basic first aid facilities. If you suffer an injury or accident that warrants direct medical attention and you are not able to get to an aid station, then please try to phone one of the event directors(07734309500). If you have no phone contact, ask any runners that pass you to relay the message.

We do provide first aid personnel, with a mobile ambulance on the route and staff at the start/finish. If you are injured but able to walk, please make your way to the nearest check point. If you suffer a severe injury, encounter someone in serious difficulty or are in any doubt at all please call 999. If you are on/beside a driveable tarmac road then please ask for the Ambulance service. If you are not by a drivable road then please request the Police and request Mountain Rescue.

Alnwick Infirmary, Infirmary Drive, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2NS. 0344 811 8111

Awards

All finishers get a bespoke award and an event memento. Free parking for the event and free digital photography. An event t-shirt is also available as an addditional purchase.

There are also male and female prizes for the categories shown below.

Senior 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 plus
First Three First finisher First finisher First finisher First finisher

Three Forts Hill Trail Challenge - Schedule

  • SAT 14/02/2026 - 07:30 - 08:55Wooler YHA

    Event Registration.

    Collect event number.

  • SAT 14/02/2026 - 08:55Start Area

    Event Briefing.

  • SAT 14/02/2026 - 09:00Start Area

    Event Start.

  • SAT 14/02/2026 - 12:00Wooler Hostel

    Presentations

  • SAT 14/02/2026 - 13:00Wooler Hostel

    Event cut off.

Mandatory Kit

  1. Whistle
  2. Survival blanket
  3. Compass
  4. Maps
    1. OS Explorer OL16 Recommended
    2. Or Download and print this map
  5. Hat and gloves
  6. Waterproof jacket
  7. Full length leggins
  8. Minimum of 500ml water
  9. Emergency food/sport bar
  10. Personal cup
  11. Mobile phone number of the race directors +447734309500 (Tim)
  12. Fully charged phone

Main Rules

  1. All competitors must be taking part under their own names and numbers. No swapping of numbers or taking part in another’s place will be accepted. If you are found to be taking part in another’s place you will be disqualified.
  2. You must log your number with event marshals at each check point. It is your responsibility to make sure the marshal takes your number.
  3. Any competitor who is deemed unfit to continue by the event directors, marshals or medics will be withdrawn from event. The decision will be FINAL.
  4. Runners must carry all mandatory equipment at all times during the event unless stated otherwise at event Briefing by the event Director. If found to be not carrying the required kit at any time, you will be disqualified.
  5. If you decide to retire from the event you must notify a marshal. You must surrender your event number and you will not be allowed to continue.
  6. Unsporting behaviour (cheating) will not be tolerated and result in immediate disqualification. This includes but not limited to, not carrying mandatory kit at all times, taking short cuts, use of PEDs.
  7. We strongly advise against the using of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs i.e Ibuprofen) during the events, as they are proven to cause harm during endurance events. Doing so against this advice is strictly at the competitor’s risk.
  8. All runners take full responsibility for their own navigation during the event.
  9. You must have your bib number visible at all times or easily accessible to show the Check Point team.
  10. If you do not leave an aid station before the cut off time you will not be allowed to continue for safety, cut-off times will be strictly enforced. If you get to the finish line after the final cut off you will unfortunately not be listed as an official finisher and will not be eligible for awards.
  11. Littering will result in immediate disqualification. We must respect the trails at all times. Some of our events take place in SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), and securing permission to host events in these areas is very difficult. If you litter you not only jeopardise the events future, but more importantly you jeopardise the area.
  12. Dogs are NOT allowed to take part in the event. They present a trip hazard to other runners and a risk of upsetting livestock of local land owners.
  13. Earphones/headphones may be used, but MUST be taken off head or out of ears completely at certain points.
    1. When you’re approaching a road crossing
    2. When you’re approaching a checkpoint
    3. If you see a marshal in hi-viz anywhere along the event route
    4. On any section of trail narrow enough that you’re in single file
    5. Speakers are not allowed
    6. If you forget about your earphones, and a marshal signals you to remove them, you must do so immediately. If you try to argue the point about your music being turned off, your earphones may be confiscated from you until the event finish, and you also risk being removed from the event for your own safety, i.e. disqualified.
  14. You do not have a right of way priority over any other users of the course, you must respect other users of the course throughout the duration of the event.
  15. The event has an ARC permit number and will be held under ARC rules. We recommend that you make yourself familiar with ARC rules specific to Trail running: http://www.runningclubs.org.uk/rules

Event Registration/HQ

Wooler Hostel,

30 Cheviot Street,

Wooler,

Northumberland,

NE71 6LW

Map for Wooler Hostel

Parking

Wooler Long Stay Car Park,

Ryecroft Way,

Wooler,

Northumberland,

NE71 6EB

Map for Wooler Long Stay Car Park

Three Forts Hill Trail Challenge - Course Records
Male Category Year Time
TBA M 2026 TBA
TBA M40 2026 TBA
TBA M50 2026 TBA
TBA M60 2026 TBA
TBA M70 2026 TBA
Female Category Year Time
TBA F 2026 TBA
TBA F40 2026 TBA
TBA F50 2026 TBA
TBA F60 2026 TBA
TBA F70 2026 TBA

Three Forts Hill Trail Challenge - Checkpoints

Please click on the links to see the checkpoint on a map view. Checkpoints 1 and 2 carry as a minimum of water, coke, sweet snacks and fruit. Hot drinks are available at Wooler Hostel.

CP Name Mile Toilet Cut off Grid reference
0 Start: Wooler Hostel 0.0 08:30 NT988278
1 CP 1 - Akeld 3.0 11:10 NT951289
2 CP 2 - Common Burn House 6.9 11:10 NT930268
3 Finish: Wooler Hostel 13.5 17:30 NT988278

Three Forts Hill Trail Challenge - Route
Download GPX File Download KML File Detailed Route & Elevation Route Map