Lakeland Biathlon Challenge

Our Lakeland Biathlon is a tough event circa 12 hours duration and involves two cycling legs combined with our 6 Peaks walking challenge as the core element. Setting out from Keswick on leg 1 you will cycle through Newlands Valley and over Newlands Pass to your start point in Buttermere. After a short break swopping cycling gear for walking gear we set out on leg 2. 

The second leg includes our full 6 Peaks Challenge and is a high level circuit around arguably the finest valley in England with its summits in close configuration. This is a strenuous walk that presents no technical difficulties. It starts and ends at the village of Buttermere, which is situated on the shores of the lake with the same name. We start from the Buttermere Dubs footbridge and then take the stone stepped path through Burntness Wood and up to Bleaberry Tarn before climbing the path to The Saddle and ascending Red Pike. We then continue along the ridge taking in High Stile and High Crag before descending the steep slopes of Gamlin End to Scarth Gap where we start our ascent to the twin summits of Haystacks. From Haystacks the path descends past Innominate Tarn and Blackbeck Tarn affording a superb view towards Green Gable, Great Gable and the mighty summit of Scafell Pike. The very fit may want to detour here to take in the spectacular views from Fleetwith Pike. However, for normal mortal beings, six peaks is usually enough for one day especially when you’ve still got a third cycling leg!

Our route next follows the path to Honister Hause and the famous Honister Slate Mine where we cross the road before starting the long slog up to the summit of Dale Head. On a clear day there are stunning views from the delightfully crafted summit cairn at Dale Head towards Blencathra, Skiddaw and the fells around Newlands Valley. From Dale Head we now embark on the eastern leg of our circuit following the ridge path along Hindscarth Edge and the left hand path along Littledale Edge before veering right to the summit of Robinson – our final peak. The route back is then reasonably straightforward, traversing rough open moorland of High Snockrigg (which can offer spectacular sunset views over Red Pike) before starting out on a knee jarringly steep descent to the Newlands Road above the church.

After you’ve finished leg 2 there will be a short break whilst you change back into your cycling gear before we begin leg 3 – heading along Buttermere Valley to the summit of Honister Pass – the last big effort on your challenge! From here we descend to Seatoller and follow a gentle winding road along Borrowdale Valley to your finish point back in Keswick. The is a tough event and should not be under-estimated; however, if required there is a contingency exit at Honister Slate Mine which offers the chance to miss out the final two peaks and cycle directly back to Keswick. True to our environmental principles participants are advised that minibus transport will only be used in an emergency – so you will be relying on foot power throughout the day with only a contingency support vehicle in attendance.

We recommend that in the lead-up to this challenge, participants work on building up their stamina with weekly cardio-vascular exercise of a minimum of 1 hour per day, 5 days per week to build up their calf + quad muscles. In addition, they should be doing a regular bike ride at least every couple of weeks building up to 40km over roughly 2.5 hours duration. We can help you prepare for this event – for  information about our pre-selection / training day click here.