To take part in this event you must contact the Events team at Mind and complete an application form. Please email events@mind.org.uk for more information.
Join Mind for this fantastic 12 hour team trekking challenge in the stunning Scottish Highlands.
2 days | UK | Tough
Are you an Individual, Corporate or Charity interested in having your own private group departure?
If yes, please email info@charitychallenge.com and one of our team will be in touch to help with your enquiry.
What to expect
What you will do
Ways to pay
All you need to know
This page provides you with a variety of information about the challenge that you might find useful.
As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! This challenge takes place in October, so you should come prepared for colder days and a higher possibility of wet weather. Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for warm sunny walking weather and also sudden wind and downpours should they occur.
As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! This challenge takes place in October, so you should come prepared for colder days and a higher possibility of wet weather. Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for warm sunny walking weather and also sudden wind and downpours should they occur.
This 'Dawn to Dusk' challenge is different to the other Mind Hike events that we also have taking place this year.
The Dawn to Dusk challenge is a 12 hour trekking challenge, where as the 'Mind Hike' is a 24 hour trekking challenge. The Dawn to Dusk challenge is designed as a more accessible version of the popular Mind Hike event. This is not to say this is an easy challenge, and it should not be underestimated.
This 'Dawn to Dusk' challenge is different to the other Mind Hike events that we also have taking place this year.
The Dawn to Dusk challenge is a 12 hour trekking challenge, where as the 'Mind Hike' is a 24 hour trekking challenge. The Dawn to Dusk challenge is designed as a more accessible version of the popular Mind Hike event. This is not to say this is an easy challenge, and it should not be underestimated.
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. If you are unable to complete the trek then a support vehicle will be on-hand to take you back to the hostel.
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. If you are unable to complete the trek then a support vehicle will be on-hand to take you back to the hostel.
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:
There will be bathroom facilities at the hostel, however during the challenge such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!
There will be bathroom facilities at the hostel, however during the challenge such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!
Meals while on the challenge include dinner on the Friday night, breakfast on the morning of the challenge, and then a packed lunch and snacks during the trek as well as a celebration dinner at the finish. We strongly encourage you to bring additional sweets and snacks if desired.
The drinking of alcohol the night before is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough challenge.
Meals while on the challenge include dinner on the Friday night, breakfast on the morning of the challenge, and then a packed lunch and snacks during the trek as well as a celebration dinner at the finish. We strongly encourage you to bring additional sweets and snacks if desired.
The drinking of alcohol the night before is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough challenge.
Accommodation for this challenge is provided for the Friday night. It will be in same-sex, dormitory style accommodation with shared bathroom facilities.
If you wish to arrange additional accommodation for the Saturday night at the outdoor centre then please contact them directly on 01899 221 115 and state that you are part of the 'Charity Challenge' group booking.
Accommodation for this challenge is provided for the Friday night. It will be in same-sex, dormitory style accommodation with shared bathroom facilities.
If you wish to arrange additional accommodation for the Saturday night at the outdoor centre then please contact them directly on 01899 221 115 and state that you are part of the 'Charity Challenge' group booking.
Accommodation, and the satrt and finish of the trek route will be at the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre in the town of Aberfoyle. Aberfoyle is approximately an hours drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Click here for more information and directions. Parking is available at the centre.
Public transport is available via local buses and trains. The closest train station is in the town of Stirling. Buses are available from Stirling to Aberfoyle, click here for timetables.
Accommodation, and the satrt and finish of the trek route will be at the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre in the town of Aberfoyle. Aberfoyle is approximately an hours drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Click here for more information and directions. Parking is available at the centre.
Public transport is available via local buses and trains. The closest train station is in the town of Stirling. Buses are available from Stirling to Aberfoyle, click here for timetables.
At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. On this challenge in particular, we always liaise with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park rangers to make sure that we minimise our impact on the local environment. Our leaders care passionately for the environment and will be keen to talk to you about how you can do your bit to conserve the local area and enhance your experience. We believe that acting responsibly should add to your enjoyment of the challenge so we won’t lecture you about not dropping litter. Instead we’d like to encourage you to support the ‘Save the Red Squirral’ campaign being run by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. For more information about the work they do, and to donate to them yourself, click here.
We would also like to encourage all our participants to spend a little extra time in the local area. Why not consider booking an extra night in a local B&B, and go out for a meal in one of the excellent local pubs after the challenge? The VisitScotland website has lots of information and options for the town of Aberfoyle.
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park website is also an excellent resource for things to do in the area.
Some suggestions of things to do in the local area include:
For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism pages, where you will be able to view a list of the other projects that we currently support.
At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. On this challenge in particular, we always liaise with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park rangers to make sure that we minimise our impact on the local environment. Our leaders care passionately for the environment and will be keen to talk to you about how you can do your bit to conserve the local area and enhance your experience. We believe that acting responsibly should add to your enjoyment of the challenge so we won’t lecture you about not dropping litter. Instead we’d like to encourage you to support the ‘Save the Red Squirral’ campaign being run by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. For more information about the work they do, and to donate to them yourself, click here.
We would also like to encourage all our participants to spend a little extra time in the local area. Why not consider booking an extra night in a local B&B, and go out for a meal in one of the excellent local pubs after the challenge? The VisitScotland website has lots of information and options for the town of Aberfoyle.
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park website is also an excellent resource for things to do in the area.
Some suggestions of things to do in the local area include:
For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism pages, where you will be able to view a list of the other projects that we currently support.
Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes 12 hours of hiking, with some sections involving tough ascents and descents. The route is predominantly on good paths, but it's the variation of footpaths that makes this challenge a unique and fun experience.
Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes 12 hours of hiking, with some sections involving tough ascents and descents. The route is predominantly on good paths, but it's the variation of footpaths that makes this challenge a unique and fun experience.
This challenge is designed as a 12 hour event, therefore there is no one fixed route that each team must accomplish. The route has been designed to have multiple different sections based upon the speed that your team is moving at. However, this event is not designed as a competition on how far you can walk. It is about working as a team to keep yourselves going for the full 12 hours.
This challenge is designed as a 12 hour event, therefore there is no one fixed route that each team must accomplish. The route has been designed to have multiple different sections based upon the speed that your team is moving at. However, this event is not designed as a competition on how far you can walk. It is about working as a team to keep yourselves going for the full 12 hours.
We employ experienced and fully qualified walking leaders who all hold the Mountain leader qualification. The leaders are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading challenges throughout Britain and overseas. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and first aid kits with them at all times.
We employ experienced and fully qualified walking leaders who all hold the Mountain leader qualification. The leaders are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading challenges throughout Britain and overseas. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and first aid kits with them at all times.
The Mind Hike Dawn to Dusk is run as a team event with a maximum of 150 people taking part.
The team at Mind will be creating the teams for this event of approximately 30 people per team.If you wish to be in the saem team as firends then please let them know.
The aim of this challenge is to work together as a team to help each other through the challenge. This is a great opportunity to meet other inspirational people like yourselves and to draw strength from each other.
There will be one leader per approximately 10-15 participant.
The Mind Hike Dawn to Dusk is run as a team event with a maximum of 150 people taking part.
The team at Mind will be creating the teams for this event of approximately 30 people per team.If you wish to be in the saem team as firends then please let them know.
The aim of this challenge is to work together as a team to help each other through the challenge. This is a great opportunity to meet other inspirational people like yourselves and to draw strength from each other.
There will be one leader per approximately 10-15 participant.
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
During the trek there will be limited opportunities to purchase extra snacks as we pass through villages (please do not reply on shops being open as it is not always possible to guarantee this). Therefore you may wish to take some money with you on the trek. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
During the trek there will be limited opportunities to purchase extra snacks as we pass through villages (please do not reply on shops being open as it is not always possible to guarantee this). Therefore you may wish to take some money with you on the trek. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
The Mind Hike Dawn to Dusk is an endurance trekking event over 12 hours, therefore requiring a good to high level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking in the outdoors. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the stairs at home (or an office block) are a great place to start. Try building in a walk to work if possible, or perhaps at lunch. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 2-4 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up as suggested. Remember to use the walking boots that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in, and take the daysack that you will be using during the challenge.
There is no substitute for walking in the outdoors, over similar terrain that you will face on the challenge, so try if possible to get out on a weekend and train in an appropriate area. It can be a great way to discover nearby places that you never knew existed! You should progress to training with your boots on from week 4 at the latest, but preferably from week 1. The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. The hardest part of this challenge to train for is the fact that you will need to walk for 12 hours. Whilst it is not expected that you will have practiced this we would recommend that you be comfortable with long days of walking for at least 7-8 hours, plus you should be comfortable walking for consecutive days. It is a good idea to have a training weekend where you perhaps walk for 7-8 hours on one day and then another walk the following day. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
The Mind Hike Dawn to Dusk is an endurance trekking event over 12 hours, therefore requiring a good to high level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking in the outdoors. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the stairs at home (or an office block) are a great place to start. Try building in a walk to work if possible, or perhaps at lunch. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 2-4 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up as suggested. Remember to use the walking boots that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in, and take the daysack that you will be using during the challenge.
There is no substitute for walking in the outdoors, over similar terrain that you will face on the challenge, so try if possible to get out on a weekend and train in an appropriate area. It can be a great way to discover nearby places that you never knew existed! You should progress to training with your boots on from week 4 at the latest, but preferably from week 1. The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. The hardest part of this challenge to train for is the fact that you will need to walk for 12 hours. Whilst it is not expected that you will have practiced this we would recommend that you be comfortable with long days of walking for at least 7-8 hours, plus you should be comfortable walking for consecutive days. It is a good idea to have a training weekend where you perhaps walk for 7-8 hours on one day and then another walk the following day. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one.
Waterproof and well-worn in boots will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use a strong pair of canvas or leather boots with good ankle support for this challenge, coupled with a pair of good quality walking socks. Sports trainers are not suitable. Enough warm layers are vital as are hats and gloves. If possible, try to bring two pairs of gloves and two hats as these can very often get wet.
The benefits of a comfortable day sack cannot be underestimated - so make sure that you train with this. Other essentials are high quality gore-tex waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, as well as technical/wicking t-shirts rather than cotton shirts. We would like to emphasize that jeans should not be worn on this challenge.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found here. Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one.
Waterproof and well-worn in boots will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use a strong pair of canvas or leather boots with good ankle support for this challenge, coupled with a pair of good quality walking socks. Sports trainers are not suitable. Enough warm layers are vital as are hats and gloves. If possible, try to bring two pairs of gloves and two hats as these can very often get wet.
The benefits of a comfortable day sack cannot be underestimated - so make sure that you train with this. Other essentials are high quality gore-tex waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, as well as technical/wicking t-shirts rather than cotton shirts. We would like to emphasize that jeans should not be worn on this challenge.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found here. Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.
The Mind Hike Dawn to Dusk challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and having taking on a previous trekking challenge and are now looking to push themselves over a long distance route. You can tell your supporters that on your Mind Hike you will be:
The Mind Hike Dawn to Dusk challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and having taking on a previous trekking challenge and are now looking to push themselves over a long distance route. You can tell your supporters that on your Mind Hike you will be:
Please note that precise timings and instructions will be provided 1 month prior to the challenge date. the following timings should be used as guidance when planning.
Your challenge begins on the evening before the trek, and you should arrive at the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre in the town of Aberfoyle for approximately 6pm in the evening. You will then meet the leaders, as well as the rest of your challenge team, and then it will be time for dinner and your evening briefing. It is vital that everyone attend this safety briefing.
On the day of the trek itself, you will have a very early start for your hearty breakfast before the trek begins at approx. 6.30am.
The route is designed to take 12 hours to complete, and finishes back in Aberfoyle by approx. 6.30pm for a celebration dinner.
Delays can happen, and the return time will all depend on the speed of your group, so please do try and book flexible return arrangements.
Please note that precise timings and instructions will be provided 1 month prior to the challenge date. the following timings should be used as guidance when planning.
Your challenge begins on the evening before the trek, and you should arrive at the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre in the town of Aberfoyle for approximately 6pm in the evening. You will then meet the leaders, as well as the rest of your challenge team, and then it will be time for dinner and your evening briefing. It is vital that everyone attend this safety briefing.
On the day of the trek itself, you will have a very early start for your hearty breakfast before the trek begins at approx. 6.30am.
The route is designed to take 12 hours to complete, and finishes back in Aberfoyle by approx. 6.30pm for a celebration dinner.
Delays can happen, and the return time will all depend on the speed of your group, so please do try and book flexible return arrangements.
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