LAKE DISTRICT EXPEDITION
3 days and 2 nights hiking and sleeping out
in the gorgeous and epic landscape of the Lake District
Walk the best routes, sleep in the best spots.
Come to the Lake District, my second home, for an authentic and immersive mountain adventure.
What happens
Day 1 (Wednesday): Travel up and meet by around dinnertime in a Cumbria youth hostel, where we stay the first night.
Days 2-4 (Thursday – Saturday): Walk an epic route through the valleys, peaks and ridges of the park, sleeping out in tents for 2 nights, and ending up on Saturday night at another Cumbria youth hostel for a well-earned bit of comfort.
Day 5 (Sunday): Hike back to civilisation and where car are parked / train station. Heading home by 1pm latest.
You’ll carry everything you need on your back. I’ll teach you all you need to know, if you don’t know already. And you’ll discover what happens when you strip away everything except the essentials: exploring, camping, being together.
Travel: Train (into Windermere via Euston & Oxenholme) with connecting buses is a very viable way to travel (and my personal preference). Car travel is also possible, and suggestions can be provided for places to leave the car.
Who this is for
This expedition is for dads and kids aged 13/14+, although 12 years is possible if they are capable of walking some uphill with a full backpack on.
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)
Perfect for:
- Families who’ve done the Dartmoor trip
- Dads and teenagers looking for an epic experience and a solid challenge together
- Anyone who wants to experience multi-day hiking and wild camping but hasn’t done it before
- Excellent Duke of Edinburgh Gold or Silver experience… but with your dad!
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
(exceptions can be made if really wanted).
This keeps it intimate, manageable, and means everyone gets proper attention and support.
2027 dates
2027 trip runs Thursday 4th – Sunday 8th August
Arrival by dinnertime (c.6pm) on the 4th at a Cumbria youth hostel to be confirmed, on the way home by c.1pm on the 8th
Price for a dad and child pair: £695
Price includes: food, camp site fees, guiding & skills tuition, activities, materials, and group equipment.
Price excludes: personal kit, travel, youth hostel accommodation, dinner on first night
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, we’ll be in tents for the 2 nights we’re out. I can provide these tents, or you can bring your own (as long as they are suitably lightweight).
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-moved Feral Fathers woodland meals.
What if my child is nervous?
The age group is 13+. I have guided many 13 year olds and over across Lake District mountains, and they often surprise themselves, as log as they have a base level of ability to carry a load, and a positive attitude. 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.
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?
