Lake District Four Peaks Challenge Itinerary

Itinerary -  Lake District Four Peaks Challenge

4 days / 3 nights

This is a very tough but incredibly rewarding challenge in which you will be climbing four of the highest mountains in England, each peak over 3,000 ft, practically one after the other.  You will also be trekking before and after the climbs on some of the days. Your resilience will be put to the test as you undertake this huge challenge in this stunning environment.

Day 1
Trekking time 7- 9 hours

Distance 11 miles, total ascent 931m

We meet at 7am at the Keswick Rugby club for registration and a trek briefing before setting off. Today we trek from Keswick to the summit of our first peak - Skiddaw Mountain (931m) (3,055ft) via Little Man. We descend via Millbeck and River Derwent to Portinscale where we will pick up our coach transfer (30 mins.) to Seatoller and our camp for the night.

Overnight: camping

Day 2
Trekking time 10 - 14 hours

Distance 12 miles, total ascent 1,550m

We get an early start for the toughest day of the challenge and will leave by 6.30am. We are shuttled to Seathwaite farm from where we ascend up the valley to the Sty Head Gill, this is a gradual climb with one steep section past a waterfall to a tarn. We then follow the Corridor Route to Scafell Pike (978m) (3,209ft), our second peak but highest peak of the weekend!  This is a tough climb with some scrambling and steep edges to negotiate. From here we descend to Mickeldore and Fox Tarn to climb Scafell itself (964m) (3,163ft). With no other option we retrace our steps back to Fox Tarn and then head down towards Great Moss and back up the valley to Esk Hause before the descent to Seathwaite via Ruddy Gill. We are shuttled back to camp from Seathwaite Farm.

Overnight: camping

Day 3
Trekking time 7 - 9 hours

Distance 6 miles, total ascent 750m

Today we depart at 9.30 am and are transfered to Dunmail rise (1 hour) in the Thirlmere Valley. From here we start our climb of Helvellyn (950m) (3,117ft) via Dollywagon Pike and Grisdale Tarn. At the top if we are really lucky with the weather, we will see the impressive Striding Edge ridge line going off to the east. We might even have to duck low flying military aircraft!  We descend Helvellyn to High Wood Car Park to finish at Thirlmere.  We are transferred back to our hotel in Borrowdale for our celebration meal.

Overnight: hotel

Day 4

Depart after breakfast.

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