HIKING EXPEDITIONS
A launchpad for a lifetime of adventures,
and a story you'll tell for years
Nothing bonds like a shared challenge.
Side by side in the hills or mountains 2-3 days.
No screens or distractions; conversations that can’t happen at home.
A warm fellowship of men and teens.
Lifelong memories.
Confidence and skills to do your own trips yourself.
Who this is for
Dartmoor: for dads and kids aged 12+ who want a meaningful but manageable adventure.
Lake District: for dads and kids aged 13/14+ who want a hiking and camping experience in the mountains: adventurous but accessible.
You don’t need mountaineering experience or ultra-marathon fitness. But you do need:
- To be comfortable carrying a backpack for several hours
- Reasonable fitness (able to hike 10-15km over hilly terrain)
- No medical conditions or injuries that would make multi-day hiking inadvisable
- A sense of adventure and willingness to be uncomfortable occasionally (and delighted frequently)
Not sure if it’s right for you? Get in touch and we can talk it through.
Group size
Small groups only: 6 dads and 6 kids maximum.
One child per dad.
This keeps it intimate, manageable, and means everyone gets proper attention and support.
2027 dates
Dartmoor trip: Saturday 24th (4pm) – Monday 26th (1pm) July 2027
Price for a dad and child pair: £525
Lake District trip: Wednesday 4th (4pm) – Sunday 8th (1pm) August 2027
Price for a dad and child pair: £695
Prices include: food, camp site fees, guiding & skills tuition, activities, materials, and group equipment.
Price excludes: personal kit, travel, youth hostel accommodation in Lake District
FAQs
What equipment do I need?
You’ll need hiking gear: backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, waterproofs, walking boots, and suitable layered clothing. I’ll send a detailed kit list once you’re booked, and I’m happy to advise on what to buy/borrow.
For sleeping, in Dartmoor we wild camp in bivvy bags, and in Lake District we sleep in tents. All sleeping equipment provided by me, unless you want to take your own.
All cooking equipment and food is provided. You can bring extra snacks, but more snacks = more weight!
Full details on kit and logistics will be provided after booking.
What might we learn?
As well as doing this for the sake of having a great adventure together, the other aim is that you will feel more confident and able to go on your own trips.
Hillcraft involves lots of subtle skills: what to pack and what not to pack, what to wear, how and what to cook, where to sleep (and where not to!), how wild camping is acceptable, water purification, map reading, route planning and pathfinding skills, reading the weather, dealing with the elements, managing your energy…
A little bit of knowledge goes a long way – you’ll be surprised how much you pick up, simply by participating.
Will we be in good hands?
Yes. Chris is a qualified Mountain Leader, and is licensed by AALA (the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority) to provide hiking trips. This means he has attained a high bar of standards and has been fully inspected by a government authority.
In practice, Chris has led numerous expeditions over the last 10 years, in Dartmoor, Peak District, Lake District and Snowdonia.
He is also DBS checked and has an Outdoor First Aid certificate.
Can we do this if we haven't done Feral Fathers woodland weekends?
Yes. Woodland weekends are a great introduction to what I do, but they’re not a prerequisite. If you’re comfortable outdoors and up for the physical challenge, you’re welcome.
What if the weather is terrible?
Overnight expeditions can be wild. That’s part of the appeal. We go unless conditions are genuinely dangerous (which is rare – and hasn’t happened yet).
Bring good waterproofs and the right mindset – I have found it repeatedly to be true that “bad” weather makes the experience more memorable and exciting.
In practice, after many nights sleeping out in Dartmoor, Peak District, Snowdonia and Lake District, if there’s rain, it usually comes in manageable bursts. Dealing with it is part of the useful skill set you will build.
What about food?
All meals are provided and cooked by the group together. Hearty, simple food that tastes incredible after a day on the moors. Meals will cater to any dietary requirements.
Cooking on the hill is another useful skill to pick up, and at the base camp, the meals provided will be hearty and delicious, to the same standard as the much-loved Feral Fathers woodland meals.
What if my child is nervous?
The age group is 12+ for Dartmoor, and 13/14+ for Lake District (exceptions can be made). At twelve, a child is young enough that nerves are normal, old enough that they’ll rise to the challenge. The group dynamic helps enormously – watching other kids (and dads) tackle something difficult gives everyone confidence, and there’s a healthy ‘wolf pack’ mentality of helping each other when needed.
I have taken numerous children aged 12+. Some struggle at first, but all have prevailed, with much resultant confidence and satisfaction.
If you’re unsure, get in touch for a conversation..
Do we carry everything ourselves?
Yes. That’s wild camping – you’re self-sufficient. But we’re not trying to break records. We keep pack weight reasonable, take our time, and make it achievable for everyone.
Ready?
