This tough one day challenge has you trekking a marathon distance along the dramatic coastline of the Giant’s Causeway UNESCO World Heritage site.
1 days | UK | Tough
BOOKINGS CLOSED: We are no longer accepting any more bookings on this challenge.
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.
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.
The Giant’s Causeway Challenge is a long, sustained event over 12 hours and covering undulating terrain with some steep ascents and descents. It requires a good level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking with particular emphasis on building up stamina on ascents and descents. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the hills, then the stairs at home (or an office block) are a great place to start. 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 so try if possible to get out on a weekend and, if possible, train in an area with steep hills to help prepare yourself for the undulating terrain you will face on this challenge. 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 expedition, the more you will get out of it. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
The Giant’s Causeway Challenge is a long, sustained event over 12 hours and covering undulating terrain with some steep ascents and descents. It requires a good level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking with particular emphasis on building up stamina on ascents and descents. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the hills, then the stairs at home (or an office block) are a great place to start. 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 so try if possible to get out on a weekend and, if possible, train in an area with steep hills to help prepare yourself for the undulating terrain you will face on this challenge. 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 expedition, the more you will get out of it. 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. For this challenge, 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. 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, Cotswold Outdoor.
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, 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. 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, Cotswold Outdoor.
Precise arrival times and instructions will be sent out one month prior to the challenge.
Your challenge begins with an early morning safety briefing with your challenge leaders at 6.30am. There will then be a short bus transfer to the start of the trek. In order to maximise the time available to complete the challenge we will start the trek at around 7.30am. You will be walking for approximately 10-12 hours, which makes your trek a very long day. You can expect to arrive back at the finish at around 7pm. After a quick celebration, you can make your way home.
Precise arrival times and instructions will be sent out one month prior to the challenge.
Your challenge begins with an early morning safety briefing with your challenge leaders at 6.30am. There will then be a short bus transfer to the start of the trek. In order to maximise the time available to complete the challenge we will start the trek at around 7.30am. You will be walking for approximately 10-12 hours, which makes your trek a very long day. You can expect to arrive back at the finish at around 7pm. After a quick celebration, you can make your way home.
The meeting point for this challenge will be in the town of Portstewart.
After the group all arrive there will be a short bus transfer to the start of the trek.
The challenge will finish back in Portstewart.
The meeting point for this challenge will be in the town of Portstewart.
After the group all arrive there will be a short bus transfer to the start of the trek.
The challenge will finish back in Portstewart.
The Giant’s Causeway challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more demanding environment. You can tell your supporters that on your Giant’s Causeway Challenge you will be:
• Trekking for around 12 hours in a single day.
• Covering a full marathon on undulating coastal terrain. That’s 26 miles!
• Ascending over 1000m in a single day.
The Giant’s Causeway challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more demanding environment. You can tell your supporters that on your Giant’s Causeway Challenge you will be:
• Trekking for around 12 hours in a single day.
• Covering a full marathon on undulating coastal terrain. That’s 26 miles!
• Ascending over 1000m in a single day.
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:
• The terrain on the challenge is often rocky and in wet conditions can be extremely slippery. Please make sure that your walking boots have good grip. Trainers are not appropriate as they lack grip.
• The weather on the coast can be very different to inland. Please make sure you carry an additional warm layer, waterproof jacket and trousers and a hat and gloves.
• 12 hours is a long time to be out on a trek. Ensure that you eat lots throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
• The terrain across the cliff tops can be very loose and rocky and should be taken with care.
• Cliff tops are extremely dangerous and can be very exposed. please listen to your leaders and stay away from the edges of any exposed cliffs.
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:
• The terrain on the challenge is often rocky and in wet conditions can be extremely slippery. Please make sure that your walking boots have good grip. Trainers are not appropriate as they lack grip.
• The weather on the coast can be very different to inland. Please make sure you carry an additional warm layer, waterproof jacket and trousers and a hat and gloves.
• 12 hours is a long time to be out on a trek. Ensure that you eat lots throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
• The terrain across the cliff tops can be very loose and rocky and should be taken with care.
• Cliff tops are extremely dangerous and can be very exposed. please listen to your leaders and stay away from the edges of any exposed cliffs.
There will be toilet facilities both at the start and end of the trek; however during the challenge such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!
There will be toilet facilities both at the start and end of the trek; however during the challenge such facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!
A packed lunch and snacks is provided on the day of the challenge, along with a celebration drink at the end of the challenge. We would recommend that you bring along a few of your own snacks to keep you going throughout the challenge.
A packed lunch and snacks is provided on the day of the challenge, along with a celebration drink at the end of the challenge. We would recommend that you bring along a few of your own snacks to keep you going throughout the challenge.
There is no accommodation included in the challenge.
There is no accommodation included in the challenge.
At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. On this challenge in particular, we always liaise with the rangers at the Giant’s Causeway 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 National Trust’ who maintain the whole UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway, including the excellent footpaths we will be walking on. The National Trust have an excellent website all about their work at the Giant’s Causeway and we would recommend that you check this out before arriving for the challenge. Their website can be viewed 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? Not only will you be able to celebrate your achievements but you will also be putting more money back into the local area. For more information about accommodation and what else to do in the local area then please visit Discover Northern Ireland.
For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism section.
At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. On this challenge in particular, we always liaise with the rangers at the Giant’s Causeway 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 National Trust’ who maintain the whole UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway, including the excellent footpaths we will be walking on. The National Trust have an excellent website all about their work at the Giant’s Causeway and we would recommend that you check this out before arriving for the challenge. Their website can be viewed 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? Not only will you be able to celebrate your achievements but you will also be putting more money back into the local area. For more information about accommodation and what else to do in the local area then please visit Discover Northern Ireland.
For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism section.
Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes one long day of hiking, with tough ascents and descents. The route is predominantly on good paths, but it's the variation of loose gravel and rocks that makes this challenge a unique and fun experience. In particular real care needs to be taken when walking along any cliff tops.
Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes one long day of hiking, with tough ascents and descents. The route is predominantly on good paths, but it's the variation of loose gravel and rocks that makes this challenge a unique and fun experience. In particular real care needs to be taken when walking along any cliff tops.
As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! We will run UK challenges between April and October, and although the summer months of June-August should be, in general, warmer, sunnier and more stable in terms of the weather conditions, we all know that this isn’t always the case. 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! We will run UK challenges between April and October, and although the summer months of June-August should be, in general, warmer, sunnier and more stable in terms of the weather conditions, we all know that this isn’t always the case. 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.
We employ experienced and fully qualified challenge walking leaders to accompany and lead you. They are all ‘Mountain Leader qualified and hold outdoor specific first aid certificates. They 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 mountain first aid kits with them at all times.
We employ experienced and fully qualified challenge walking leaders to accompany and lead you. They are all ‘Mountain Leader qualified and hold outdoor specific first aid certificates. They 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 mountain first aid kits with them at all times.
Our minimum group size for this challenge is 30 and the maximum is 100. There will be one challenge walking leader per approximately 10-15 participants and you may find you will naturally walk in smaller groups according to your own pace.
Our minimum group size for this challenge is 30 and the maximum is 100. There will be one challenge walking leader per approximately 10-15 participants and you may find you will naturally walk in smaller groups according to your own pace.
During the trek there are not many opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
During the trek there are not many opportunities to spend any money. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
We do not professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you are fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed Trip Notes and itinerary to get a better idea of what is involved. Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part. If you suffer from a severe allergy, you are required to contact us to discuss any requirements. If you think that there are things we can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, it is your responsibility to let us know, and we will then let you know if we can accommodate your request. Whilst we will do our best to put in place appropriate measures we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.
We do not professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you are fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed Trip Notes and itinerary to get a better idea of what is involved. Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part. If you suffer from a severe allergy, you are required to contact us to discuss any requirements. If you think that there are things we can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, it is your responsibility to let us know, and we will then let you know if we can accommodate your request. Whilst we will do our best to put in place appropriate measures we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.
First Aid qualified staff will be provided with the medical details that you give on your booking form but please note that they are on the challenge to support with medical matters related to the challenge environment and terrain itself, i.e. heat/cold, high altitude and so on. They will deal with any incidents and accidents (cuts, sprains, breaks and so on). They are not intended to continue any ongoing specialist medical care that you receive in the UK for pre-exiting medical conditions, and should not be assumed to have any professional experience of your specific medical condition.
If you have any specific needs around pre-existing medical conditions, you should discuss with your family doctor or specialist in advance and can discuss any advice given by them with the challenge leader or doctor.
First Aid qualified staff will be provided with the medical details that you give on your booking form but please note that they are on the challenge to support with medical matters related to the challenge environment and terrain itself, i.e. heat/cold, high altitude and so on. They will deal with any incidents and accidents (cuts, sprains, breaks and so on). They are not intended to continue any ongoing specialist medical care that you receive in the UK for pre-exiting medical conditions, and should not be assumed to have any professional experience of your specific medical condition.
If you have any specific needs around pre-existing medical conditions, you should discuss with your family doctor or specialist in advance and can discuss any advice given by them with the challenge leader or doctor.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
Challenges
Charities
Contact
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
Your session has timed out after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Please click OK to continue.
Link to share:
https://www.charitychallenge.com/expedition/info/3695/Wetherspoon-Giants-Causeway-HIKE-2023
Share link via: