Set in the stunning Lake District National Park, the Lake District Triple Challenge is one incredible day of trekking, biking and kayaking!
What is the Lake District Triple Challenge?
This action-packed challenge immerses you in the adventure-filled landscapes of the Lake District National Park. Hike to the top of the Old Man of Coniston, tackle the mountain bike trails of Grizedale Forest, and round it off with a kayak across Coniston Water – all in one day! You do not need to be an expert mountain biker or kayaker by any means, just somebody with a sense of adventure!
Highlights include:
- Off-road mountain biking on the trails of Grizedale forest, one of the Lake District’s most famous mountain biking areas.
- Trek to the summit of the iconic Old Man of Coniston.
- Kayak across the historic Coniston Water.
Please note: The itinerary, or the order in which you complete activities, may vary depending on the weather and other factors, and will be managed by our experienced leaders.
What will I achieve?
This 2-day challenge begins with a welcome, safety briefing and overnight stay in nearby accommodation, before you take on your adrenaline-fuelled challenge day! Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll accomplish (and can proudly share with your sponsors):
- Trekking between 3-4 hours and 10km to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, standing at 803m!
- Mountain biking 12km for roughly 2 hours through Grizedale Forest, included the lung-pumping ascent of the hill into the forest.
- Test your upper body strength for 1.5 hours whilst kayaking a circular 1.5km loop around Coniston Water.
- Rated as ‘challenging’, this multi-day adventure will test both your mind and body as you tackle three consecutive activities.
I’m thinking of booking, what do I need to know?
For a quick overview of what to expect, we’ve pulled together some advice below – including top tips from our experienced team and past participants. For full details, please visit our Lake District Triple Challenge webpage.
Kitting Up for Multiple Activities
Wondering what to pack for a challenge with three activities? Our Kit List covers all the essentials plus optional extras to help you decide. Cycling gloves, for example, are optional, so bring them if you feel you’ll benefit, as they aren’t provided. You’ll carry a 30–40L day pack throughout, and any spare clothes should be kept in a small separate bag for the support vehicle – though space is limited.
The key is to wear quality outdoor clothing comfortable for each activity and bring suitable waterproof layers for the unpredictable UK weather. You’re welcome to bring spare clothes to keep in the support vehicle, but changing facilities aren’t provided between activities, so plan accordingly.
Top Tips:
- “Plan your clothing so that you minimise any changes required between the activities. With a bit of forward planning it is possible to make sure that your clothing is suitable for biking, trekking and kayaking. Therefore you can kick-back and enjoy the challenge without needing to stress about packing spare bags and getting changed during the day.” – Andy Killey, Head of UK Operations
- “Although a small peak, the Old Man of Coniston is steep in places, so the use of walking poles is recommended if you suffer with knee pain.” – Jim Young, Challenge Leader
- “Bring layers… and wear your waterproofs when kayaking!” – Yvonne Ford, Participant
Training for a Triple Challenge
To prepare for this multi-activity challenge, focus on building fitness through regular hill walking, cycling, and basic upper-body work. Aim to begin training 2-4 months in advance, gradually increasing time and intensity. For trekking, get used to wearing your boots and carrying your daysack, and try to include some outings on steep hills if possible. For cycling, practise on a bike regularly and include hill work to build strength for the off-road trails. No kayaking experience is needed, but improving upper-body strength will make the paddling section easier!
Top Tips:
- “Read the literature and put the training in. The more training you put in, the more you will enjoy the experience.” – Kieron Gardman, Participant
- “This is an excellent challenge and so worth doing but make sure you train well on cycling and long distance hill walking. The kayaking part is much easier than you may think!” – Andrew Morgan, Participant
- “You do not need to be a strong swimmer for this challenge, and non swimmers are welcome to kayak.” – Jim Young, Challenge Leader
Enjoy the Team Spirit!
The Lake District Triple Challenge lets you try three outdoor activities in one go while still testing your abilities. The variety keeps you engaged, and you’ll likely surprise yourself with how much energy and enthusiasm you’ll still have at each stage. It’s a great leeway into choosing your next challenge – maybe the Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) Triple Challenge, or the South Downs Challenge for a tougher trek, or even a cycling challenge!
Like all our challenges, it’s a team experience. Whether you join solo or with friends, our groups are managed so no one feels left behind. While you can self-fund, many people take part to support causes close to their heart, making it a great chance to hear inspiring stories and connect with like-minded strangers.
Top Tips:
- “An amazing day, tough but also enjoyable in many ways, especially as it was a challenge outside of my comfort zone. The guides were fantastic too, we couldn’t have done it without them. Their local knowledge and general support all the way through was second to none.” – Debbie Smith, Participant
- “It has definitely inspired me to do another challenge.” – Helen Harris, Participant
Why should I book the Lake District Triple Challenge with Charity Challenge?
Over the years Charity Challenge has built up a wealth of experience that has enabled us to create a fun-filled and achievable multi-activity challenge – combining a signature summit, legendary biking trails and epic kayaking!
- The very best Leaders, who are fully qualified, highly experienced, knowledgeable and fun. They will do everything to help you complete the challenge and have a great time doing it!
- Qualified cycling leaders, mechanics and kayak instructors will be available on the challenge for support.
- Hire of mountain bikes, kayaks and relevant safety equipment is included in the cost.
- It’s a group challenge, not a race! Differing abilities across the activities is normal and expected and our experienced leaders will manage the group as necessary. So no need to worry about being expected to walk or cycle at a pace beyond your capabilities!
- It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people in your group; each of our participants sign up to challenge themselves in the great outdoors!
Fundraising – Since 1999, we have specialised in operating challenges for charity fundraisers. We partner with 1000’s of UK and Irish charities already – and our team is happy to reach out to a charity of your choice to make your dream fundraising challenge happen. (Or, if you don’t fancy fundraising, the good news is you can simply self-fund and join us anyway!).
To conclude… start prepping!
If you are now seriously considering taking on the Lake District Triple Challenge, we recommend heading over to our website to read through our full Itinerary, Costs, Kit List and extensive Essential Information tabs. You’ll find everything you need to know here in detail, from timings, locations, accommodation, difficulty level breakdowns, training advice, group safety and much, much more (including answers to those all-important ‘what if?’ questions).
Our blog also hosts a wealth of resources to help prepare you for your fundraising challenge.
Remember, the Lake District Triple Challenge is graded as ‘Challenging’, making it the perfect test of your adventurous spirit, beginner or not! With the right attitude, this exhilarating challenge is incredibly rewarding to complete – an excellent choice for a UK Charity Challenge!
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