Summit Scafell Pike Challenge Weekend
Join us for a sociable weekend in the Lake District, with the goal of conquering Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. This guided adventure is complemented by a gentler Sunday walk to enjoy more of the area’s stunning landscapes, while staying in comfortable accommodation and making new friends along the way.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 10 (but up to 24 sharing the accommodation)
Level: Active Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Scafell Pike Summit: Tackle England’s highest peak, guided by experienced Mountain Leaders.
Sociable Setting: Enjoy group camaraderie, shared accommodation, and relaxing evenings.
Leisurely Sunday Walk: Explore the Lake District’s beautiful scenery on a gentler route.
Comfortable Base: Stay at the welcoming Blencathra Centre, with delicious meals included.
Mixed Terrain: Experience varied paths, rocky sections, and panoramic views.
Book today…
A Weekend of Walking in the Lake District
Spend a memorable weekend in the Lake District exploring the best of this iconic region. Our main objective is summiting Scafell Pike on Saturday, following a circular route with fantastic views over valleys and fells. With the support of a knowledgeable guide, you’ll safely navigate rocky paths, take in breathtaking scenery, and enjoy the experience with a small group of like-minded walkers.
After an exhilarating day, return to the hostel to relax and share stories. On Sunday, we’ll slow the pace with a leisurely walk to places like Latrigg or Derwent Water, allowing us to enjoy more of the Lake District’s diverse beauty.
Suggested Itinerary
Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations
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Arrive at our base, the Blencathra Centre, from 5pm onwards, where your host will be there to greet you. After settling into your twin room, take some time to explore the surrounding area or relax before dinner. We’ll gather at 8pm for a group meal and to discuss the weekend’s plans, giving you a chance to meet your fellow walkers and enjoy a sociable evening.
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After breakfast, we’ll drive to Seathwaite, where our guided walk begins. Our route takes us up the ‘corridor route’ to Scafell Pike, with stunning views along the way. The ascent is a mix of rocky trails and narrow paths, leading to the summit, the highest point in England. After taking in the panoramic views, we’ll descend via the Scafell plateau, completing the circular route back to Seathwaite. Expect a challenging but rewarding 8.7-mile (14km) hike, which typically takes around 7 hours. We’ll then return to the hostel for a relaxed evening meal and time to unwind.
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After breakfast, we’ll pack up and head out for a leisurely morning walk, choosing from scenic options such as Latrigg or a lakeside stroll around Derwent Water. We’ll aim to finish around midday and head to a local café for coffee and cake to wrap up the weekend before saying our goodbyes.
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.Meeting Location:
Field Studies Council - Blencathra Centre
Blease Road
Threlkeld
Keswick
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Access Information: Once you have reached the village of Threlkeld and turned onto Blease Road, the accommodation is located one mile up the hill.
Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation.
Public Transport: The accommodation is located 14 miles from Penrith Train Station, with services to/from London, Preston, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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We will stay at the Field Studies Council’s Blencathra Centre for this weekend. Lonscale is the eco-friendly historic Lakeland slate building which we’ll call home for the duration. It offers a spectacular location on the slopes of Blencathra, with stunning views.
All bedrooms are en-suite. Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
Field Studies Council - Blencathra Centre
Blease Road
Threlkeld
Keswick
CA12 4SGRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (bunk beds, en-suite)Rooms at Lonscale are mainly Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are en-suite). There are also some Twin Rooms - with bunk beds - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are en-suite).
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
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Included:
2 nights’ hostel accommodation.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on 2 days (Day 2 and Day 3).
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. There will be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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• What level of fitness is needed?
This experience is rated as Active Plus. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.• What transport is provided during this trip?
We do not provide any transport for this experience. There will be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary. -
The Lake District hardly needs an introduction – England’s highest mountains, its largest and deepest lakes, and miles of walking trails through natural woodlands and country parks.
Famous for the Lakes poets, including Wordsworth, and with a hillwalking tradition going back to and beyond the legendary Wainwright, every walker needs to visit ‘The Lakes’. The two mountains we’ll be on this weekend are in the north and east of the National Park, and we’ll have the chance to admire England’s second largest lake, Ullswater, and on a clear day see all the other famous hills of this part of the world!
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.