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Skiddaw & Blencathra Wild Camp: The Northern Fells
A guided Lake District wild camping adventure through the quieter Northern Fells, linking the open country of Skiddaw and Blencathra with a real sense of space, journey and overnight mountain atmosphere.
A quieter side of the Lake District
This is a guided Northern Fells wild camping adventure for walkers who want to step beyond day walks and experience a proper overnight journey in quieter Lakeland terrain.
Skiddaw and Blencathra offer a different feel from the busier central and southern fells: wider spaces, broad ridges, open fellside and a stronger sense of distance from the valley crowds.
It is designed to be achievable, but still real. You carry overnight kit, move through open mountain terrain and experience the atmosphere of the fells after the day walkers have gone home.
2026 departures: This trip typically operates on the third weekend of each month between May and October, giving regular opportunities to join throughout the main mountain season.
Best for
- ✓Walkers ready for their first guided wild camp.
- ✓People who prefer quieter hills over crowded honeypot routes.
- ✓Anyone building toward bigger Lake District or Scottish expeditions.
Why Skiddaw & Blencathra?
The Northern Fells give this trip its character. Around Skiddaw, Blencathra and the quieter country between them, the Lake District feels wider, less crowded and more open than many of the better-known honeypot routes.
Remote feel without overcomplication
This journey gives you the feeling of travelling through wilder mountain country without making the trip inaccessible. The ground is open, the views are big, and the rhythm is more about steady travel than rushing for a single summit.
Over two days you get the core ingredients of overnight mountain travel: route choice, pack management, camp craft, weather decisions and early-morning movement in the fells.
The route always adapts to conditions, but the aim stays the same: a memorable, achievable mountain weekend with a genuine sense of space.
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 and the atmosphere of the Northern Fells once the day walkers have gone.
Along the way, your guide will help with pacing, route choices and camp decisions so the weekend feels calm, achievable and well managed.
- ✓A memorable wild camp in quieter Lake District terrain
- ✓A broad Northern Fells mountain journey
- ✓Support with pacing, route choice and conditions
- ✓A safe, guided introduction to overnight mountain travel
- ✓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 weekend.
Northern Fells approach and wild camp
We meet in the Northern Fells area for introductions, kit checks and packing. From there we begin the journey into quieter fell country, moving steadily with overnight packs and aiming for a suitable wild camp location where conditions allow.
Morning in camp and return through the fells
After breakfast and breaking camp, we continue the mountain journey through open Northern Fells terrain. Depending on weather, visibility and group pace, we choose the most suitable line for the day. The focus is on a memorable, well-managed mountain journey rather than forcing a fixed route.
A quiet wild camp in the Northern Fells — a different side of the Lake District.
A night in the Northern Fells
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
- ✓Walkers ready to try a guided wild camp in the Lakes
- ✓People wanting a quieter Lake District overnight
- ✓Those building confidence with open fell terrain
- ✓Participants who value small groups and calm pacing
- ✓Anyone aiming for bigger Lakeland or Scottish journeys later
Travel and logistics
Final meeting details are sent before the trip. The route and exact camp location are adapted to weather, ground conditions and group pace.
- ✓Pre-trip joining information sent before departure
- ✓Route and timings adapted to conditions
- ✓Bring personal clothing, boots, food and any non-hired essentials
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 high-camp site selection
- ✓Minimal trace overnight practice
- ✓Respect for National Park and fell environments
Guided wild camping in the Northern Lake District
This Skiddaw and Blencathra wild camping trip is designed for walkers looking for a guided introduction to overnight mountain travel in the Lake District. It combines quieter Northern Fells terrain with practical camp craft, route choice 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 2-day adventures.
Key details before you book
This is a guided overnight mountain trip in the Lake District. It is designed to be achievable for regular hillwalkers, but it still takes place in open mountain terrain and involves carrying overnight kit.
When it runs
This trip typically operates on the third weekend of each month between May and October.
Live dates are shown in the booking panel below.
Where & when we meet
We meet in the Northern Lake District area. Exact location and timings are sent after booking.
Final details may vary slightly depending on route choice and conditions.
Fitness needed
Good hill 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 summit plans may change for safety.