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Back O’ Blencathra Wild Camp
A guided 1-night wild camping journey through the quieter country behind Blencathra, with open fellside, wide views and a calmer introduction to overnight mountain travel.
The quieter first wild camp option
Back O’ Blencathra is our calmest Lake District wild camp option: a guided overnight journey through quieter Northern Fells terrain, away from the busiest summit corridors and honeypot routes.
The appeal here is space. Broad fellside, quieter paths, big northern views and a more relaxed rhythm make this a strong choice for first-time wild campers or anyone who wants the Lake District to feel less crowded.
You will carry overnight kit, travel through real mountain terrain and experience the slower pace of an evening and morning in the hills, supported throughout by experienced mountain leadership.
Best for
- ✓First-time wild campers wanting a calmer start.
- ✓Walkers who prefer quieter hills over crowded routes.
- ✓Anyone building confidence for bigger Lake District or Scottish journeys.
Why Back O’ Blencathra?
The country behind Blencathra gives this trip its character. It is still properly mountainous, but it feels wider, calmer and less pressured than many of the better-known Lake District routes.
Remote feel without overcomplication
This journey gives you the feeling of travelling through quieter mountain country without making the trip feel intimidating. The ground is open, the views are broad and the rhythm is more about steady travel than rushing for a single summit.
It is deliberately framed as a mountain journey rather than a fixed summit promise. That gives your guide the freedom to choose the best route and camp area for the group and conditions.
The result is a more relaxed, flexible and enjoyable first wild camp, with all the key ingredients of overnight mountain travel.
Optional kit hire
You do not need to buy a full wild camping setup before trying this trip. Optional hire can help remove the equipment barrier.
- ✓Full package: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove and 60L rucksack.
- ✓Kit bundle: sleeping bag, sleeping mat and 60L rucksack.
- ✓Tent hire: lightweight mountain tent suitable for UK conditions.
You still need suitable boots, waterproofs, warm layers, food and personal items.
What the trip gives you
This is a guided mountain experience first. The focus is the journey, the camp, the sense of space and the confidence that comes from travelling with an experienced Mountain Leader.
Along the way, your guide will help with pacing, route choices and camp decisions so the weekend feels calm, achievable and well managed.
- ✓A guided first wild camp in quieter Lake District terrain
- ✓Open Northern Fells scenery and wide mountain views
- ✓Support with pacing, route choice and conditions
- ✓A flexible alternative to fixed summit objectives
- ✓Confidence for future wild camps and longer trips
It is not a formal course, but you will naturally pick up useful habits from travelling with an experienced Mountain Leader.
The 2-day journey
The exact route is always adapted to weather, visibility and group pace. The outline below gives the intended shape of the trip.
Northern Fells approach and wild camp
We meet in the Northern Fells area for introductions, kit checks and packing. From there we begin a steady journey into quieter fell country, choosing a route and camp area that fits the weather, conditions and group.
Morning in the fells and return
After breakfast and breaking camp, we continue the mountain journey through open Northern Fells terrain before returning to the valley. Depending on conditions, the route may include broad ridges, quiet summits, open fellside or a more sheltered line.
A quiet wild camp in the Northern Fells — a calmer side of the Lake District.
A night behind Blencathra
The overnight element changes the whole feel of the mountains. The busy daytime rhythm fades, light changes across the ridges and valleys, and the fells become quieter and more atmospheric.
This is where the trip becomes more than a walk. You experience what it feels like to live out of your pack, choose a pitch carefully, manage warmth, food and water, and wake up already in the hills.
For many people, this is the point where wild camping stops being an idea and becomes something they can realistically do again.
What’s included
- ✓Professional Mountain Leader support throughout
- ✓Small-group trip management
- ✓Route choice, pacing and mountain decision-making
- ✓Camp craft, packing and overnight mountain guidance
- ✓Optional pro gear bundle available at booking
Food, personal snacks, travel, parking and personal clothing are not included.
Who this trip suits
- ✓First-time wild campers wanting a guided experience
- ✓Walkers wanting a quieter Lake District overnight
- ✓People who prefer open fell country over busy summit routes
- ✓Participants who value small groups and calm pacing
- ✓Anyone aiming for bigger Lakeland or Scottish journeys later
Travel and logistics
The Northern Fells give practical access to excellent quiet mountain terrain and work well for this compact two-day wild camping journey.
- ✓Departures run June to August
- ✓Wednesday and Saturday departures where available
- ✓If your preferred date is not shown, contact us
- ✓Minimum 2 people per booking
- ✓Final joining instructions sent before the trip
Low-impact camp craft
The Northern Fells are a valued mountain landscape. We use a low-impact approach to wild camping so your overnight experience is discreet, responsible and appropriate.
- ✓Responsible camp site selection
- ✓Minimal trace overnight practice
- ✓Respect for National Park and fell environments
Guided wild camping in the Northern Lake District
This Back O’ Blencathra wild camping trip is designed for walkers looking for a guided introduction to overnight mountain travel in the quieter Northern Fells of the Lake District. It combines open fell terrain, flexible route choices, practical camp craft and professional leadership.
The trip works well as a first wild camp, a confidence-building weekend before larger expeditions, or a memorable short mountain adventure for people who already enjoy hillwalking.
For walkers who want to progress further, this trip links naturally into our longer guided wilderness expeditions in Scotland and other Lake District 1-night wild camps.
Key details before you book
This is a guided overnight mountain trip in the Lake District. It is designed to be achievable for regular walkers, but it still takes place in mountain terrain and involves carrying overnight kit.
When it runs
June to August, with Wednesday and Saturday departures where available.
If your preferred date is not shown, please contact us.
Minimum booking
Minimum 2 people per booking.
This helps keep the trip viable and gives a better small-group experience.
Fitness needed
Good walking fitness is required.
You should be comfortable walking uphill with an overnight pack.
What you carry
You carry your own personal kit, food and overnight equipment.
Optional tent, sleep system and pack hire can be added if required.
Food
Food is not included.
Please bring meals, snacks and drinks for the overnight trip.
Weather & conditions
The route is condition-led.
Camp location, route choices and plans may change for safety.