Lake District 5 Peaks Challenge

Rise and shine for breakfast and a bright and breezy start! These are the central fells of Wainwright country, which offer some of the finest hill-walking in England. From the hostel in Grasmere we will head towards the distinctive mountain of Fairfield, tackling a steep ascent to join part of the famous Fairfield Horseshoe route, and ticking off our first summit: Great Rigg.  

After a well-deserved pit stop, we will head to the summit cairn of Fairfield, which offers fantastic views of nearby Helvellyn and Striding Edge, as well as Windermere. Three peaks remain, but they will require everyone to be focussed and determined. 

From our high point of 873m, we will head over some rocky terrain to our third peak of St Sunday Crag to give us better views down into Patterdale and of Ullswater.  

Doubling back on ourselves, we will descend to the picturesque Grisedale Tarn. Tarns are the local names for smaller bodies of water. Surrounded by hills, this is a meeting point of multiple routes. With legs fully warmed up, the group will head up to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike to look back on Fairfield and the day’s route so far.  

Our descent route takes in the final summit of Seat Sandal, and a grassy, sloping path back down to the hostel in Grasmere – where we will celebrate our day’s achievement! 

Please Note: The exact order that you will attempt each of the peaks will be determined by your mountain leaders on the day. It will be determined by weather and the groups walking speed.