Skiddaw & Blencathra: Northern Fells Taster
A guided Northern Fells wild camping adventure exploring Blencathra, Skiddaw country and the quiet “Back of Beyond” landscapes beyond the busiest Lakeland hubs.
Check dates & bookA quieter side of the Lakes
While the central Lake District can feel busy in summer, the Northern Fells offer a stronger sense of space, distance and silence. This 2-day micro adventure is designed as a proper overnight mountain journey rather than a rushed camp-out, with time to move well, learn useful mountain craft and enjoy the scale of the landscape.
Expect broad ridges, old Skiddaw slate terrain, remote valleys and a very different feel from the more crowded southern fells. It suits people who want a guided first overnight, a quieter Lakeland wild camp, or a stepping stone toward longer Peak Adventures wilderness expeditions.
Why this route works so well
The Northern Fells give us a rare combination: a recognisable Lakeland setting, strong mountain feel, and room to get away from the pressure of the busiest honeypot routes. Around Blencathra, the Caldew valley and the country around Skiddaw House, the ground opens out and the atmosphere changes. It feels wilder, older and quieter.
Remote feel without overcomplication
We use this journey because it offers a real sense of travel and remoteness without making the trip feel inaccessible. You move through classic Northern Fells terrain, learn how to pace a multi-day mountain day, and gain experience in route judgement, camp choice and carrying what you need comfortably.
It is also an ideal introduction to the quieter side of Lakeland wild camping. The route can include big views, broad ridges, deep valleys and places with very little footfall compared with the central fells.
Optional kit hire
If you are new to overnight mountain travel, you do not need to own a full expedition setup before joining. We can help remove that barrier with practical hire options suited to a short guided wild camping trip.
- ✓Shelter bundle: quality tent options suitable for UK mountain use.
- ✓Sleep system: sleeping bag and mat options for cooler overnight conditions.
- ✓Carry system: larger rucksack hire where needed for overnight kit.
Exact hire options and availability can be arranged separately. Bring your own kit if you already have a system that works well.
The 2-day adventure
Blencathra approach and camp journey
We meet in the Northern Fells area, check kit, share the group plan and begin the walk into the hills. Day 1 is about settling into the rhythm of the trip: moving efficiently with an overnight pack, reading the terrain, and travelling into quieter country away from the main Lakeland centres. We choose a suitable camp area based on conditions, shelter and group pace, then settle in for the evening with time to cook, talk through the day and enjoy a proper mountain night out.
Morning in camp and return through the fells
After breakfast in camp, we pack down carefully and leave the site with minimal trace. The second day gives another chance to build confidence on rough hill terrain, refine movement and packing systems, and experience the wide, quiet character of the Northern Fells in daylight. We return by a logical mountain line, finishing with a stronger understanding of overnight mountain travel than when we started.
What’s included
- ✓Professional Mountain Leader guidance
- ✓Small-group guided wild camping experience
- ✓Support with pace, kit checks and mountain decision-making
- ✓Advice on camp craft, movement and overnight systems
- ✓Pre-trip joining information
Who this trip suits
- ✓People new to guided wild camping who want a proper first overnight
- ✓Hillwalkers ready to carry an overnight pack for 2 days
- ✓Those who prefer quieter mountain terrain over crowded honeypot routes
- ✓Anyone wanting to build confidence before a longer expedition
- ✓People happy with small-group, steady-paced mountain travel
Travel and logistics
Final meeting details are provided before the trip. For mountain conditions and group flow, exact lines and camp locations can vary slightly, but the trip remains focused on the Northern Fells feel: quieter ground, strong scenery and a proper overnight journey.
- ✓Meeting point details issued with pre-trip information
- ✓Route choice may adapt to weather, ground and group pace
- ✓Bring personal clothing, boots, food and any non-hired essentials
Low-impact camp craft
Peak Adventures trips are run with a quiet, low-impact approach. Wild camping works best when it remains discreet, respectful and well judged. That means choosing suitable locations, keeping camp behaviour calm, and leaving the place looking as though nobody had been there.
- ✓Camp late, leave early and keep a low visual impact
- ✓Use careful site selection rather than convenience
- ✓Pack out waste and leave no sign of camp
Ready to book?
Check live dates, current pricing and availability in the booking widget. Optional hire bundles can be arranged separately if required.
Check dates & bookExplore more Peak Adventures
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Check live dates, current pricing and availability in the booking widget. Optional hire bundles can be arranged separately if required.
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