The Ben Nevis Superstars Challenge 2022

Rising at dawn, you'll commence the challenge with a mighty climb up Ben Nevis (I,343m). Summitting the highest mountain in the UK is no small feat, but it will reward you with unmatched panoramas across the Scottish Highlands.

Trekking back down the same path, you’ll meet your bikes back at the base and your next stretch begins. From Fort William, you’ll cycle a stunning 15 miles through fields, valleys and forests to Gairlochy, where the Caledonian Canal meets Loch Lochy. Here, our team awaits with your kayaks!

After a briefing from our awesome, experienced guides, you'll launch into the lake and kayak an approx. 1.5 mile/2.4km-buoy-marked course on the loch. No kayaking experience or equipment is needed and our first aid-trained Dream Team will be by your side the whole time.

You’ll dust off the challenge with a final 10-mile cycle to the finish line at our base in Glen Nevis, where we’ll present you with a glass of prosecco and your Superstars Series medal.

First aid support from our outdoor-remote-first aid-trained event staff.
Parking at our start/finish venue - we will send all participants the details ahead of the challenge.
Refreshments at the start and end of the challenge.
Drinking water throughout the challenge.
Lunch and post-event food on Day 2.
Repatriation by vehicle if required.
All equipment for the kayaking section will be provided for you along with safety instructions. Hire of bikes can be provided at an additional cost.
Full event management and support - the Dream Team are on hand from the moment you sign up for the challenge to provide any help you may need and answer any questions.
Fully qualified, highly experienced, knowledgeable and fun mountain, cycling and kayaking leaders who can also provide expert instruction to guide you through each activity.
Carefully mapped out trekking, cycling and canoeing routes, taking in the best of the West Scottish Highlands.
A glass of prosecco at the finish line.
Your bespoke Ben Nevis Superstars Challenge 2022 medal– complete the full Superstar Series to collect all five medals that come together to form a star.

Day 1
Fort William – challenge briefing

Join us the night before the challenge in the outdoor capital of Fort William, gateway to the famous region of Ben Nevis.

We’ll be waiting for you at our challenge base, where registration opens at 5pm. We’ll send all participants the full details of our challenge base and how to get there as the event draws closer.

You’ll have time to meet your fellow participants before our compulsory challenge briefing, starting at 7pm.

Accommodation isn't included, but we offer a fantastic optional two-night hotel package. For an additional £250, we'll arrange hotel accommodation in Fort William for you on Friday and Saturday night, plus a two-course meal on Friday evening and a hearty breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday. Places are limited, so please get in touch with us as soon as possible for the full details and to book this brilliant additional package.

Day 2
Challenge day

You’re up at the crack of dawn today to meet us at our challenge base in Fort William for a mighty climb up Ben Nevis.

You follow public footpaths out of Fort William and begin the real challenge as you join the Achintee Path and climb to the peak!

Prepare to lose your breath as you reach the mountain-top and its incredible panoramas. From the summit at I,343m/4,406.2ft, 14x higher than the Big Ben tower in London, the Scottish Highlands are a sea of green waves, stretching into the horizon. These vistas and your awesome sense of achievement need to be captured, so jump on this chance to take pictures!

Trekking back down the same path, you’ll already feel triumphant, but your challenge is far from over. You swap your boots for bikes back at our base and cycle a tough but stunning route (approx. 15 miles/24.1km) on the hilly terrain the West Highlands is renowned for. Ben Nevis watches over you as you undulate through lush hills and valleys to Gairlochy, where the Caledonian Canal meets Loch Lochy.

Here, you see members of our Dream Team waiting for you at the bank. We collect your bikes and cycling gear, kit you up with a kayak, paddle and buoyancy aid and our experienced kayaking guide gives you some quick training. Then you set off to complete an approx. 1.5-mile/2.4km buoy-marked course. No kayaking experience or equipment is necessary, except some waterproof kit.

Nestled amidst the mountains, you see their peaks reflected in the fresh water and don’t forget to look out for Lizzie, the Loch Lochy Monster! Our experienced and first-aid trained challenge guides are there the whole time to support you.

Once back on dry land, you hop back on your bikes and conquer the final approx. 10 miles/16km stretch back to our challenge base. We’ll welcome you across the finish line with your very well-deserved Superstars Challenge medal and a glass of prosecco.

Then we say our goodbyes and you make your own way home, no doubt buzzing to book your next Superstars Challenge!

Alternatively, if you book our fab additional two-night hotel package, you can simply settle down for your second night at the hotel in Fort William that we arrange for you in this beautiful part of the UK.

Please get in touch for the full details and to book the additional package.

*Please note, this itinerary is subject to change.

How fit do I need to be?
This challenge is open to all fitness levels, providing you train beforehand. We will have a timer so feel free to test yourself and race ahead or take it at your own pace. Cycling approx. 28 miles (45km) on undulating terrain, trekking an approx 3,118.7ft/950m mountain and kayaking approx. 1.5-mile/2.4km in one day is very achievable but no small feat. The more you train, the more you will enjoy the challenge. It is a great incentive to train and get fit, whilst exploring the famous Lake District and making loads of new friends. No kayaking experience is needed for the challenge and we don't expect you to train for this part, just as long as you can swim in cold, open water. We will have qualified instructors at the lake, who will give all teams a briefing before you get into your boats. A team of outdoor remote first-aid trained challenge guides will always be at hand.

I'm worried about signing up in my own....
Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own and our Dream Challenges are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and lifelong friendships made as our groups take on these incredible feats together. Once you've signed up for the challenge, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for The Lake District Superstars Challenge 2022. Please feel free to use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow participants on your training and fundraising. You may also want to reach out to the other group members to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

Can we join as a team?
Absolutely. We encourage solo participants and teams alike to join us for the challenge. Our Dream Challenges are renowned for their camaraderie, so it's a fantastic opportunity to strengthen bonds between teammates and/or make new friends there. Join us with your friends and family or take it on as a corporate challenge and show your commitment to corporate social responsibility while having the time of your life. You could even take this opportunity to raise funds for your charity of the year.

What about bikes?
Please bring your own bike and helmet, along with a spare inner tube. You'll be cycling on clear, undulating roads through the National Park, so we recommend that you use a road or hybrid bike for this challenge. You are also welcome to take part on an e-bike. If you need to hire a bike, please get in touch with us and we can raange this for you at an additional cost. Simply email us at [email protected] or call us on 01590 646410 (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm).

Do you have to carry your own equipment?
You will begin the challenge in your cycling gear, which we'll collect from you when you reach the checkpoint to trek Helvellyn. Our team will look after your bikes and cycling gear while you climb the mountain and complete the kayaking course. Therefore, there's no need to carry anything except for a day bag with things like your water bottle, phone/camera and anything else you want to have to hand.

Do I need kayaking experience?
No kayaking experience or equipment is necessary, except for some waterproof kit. To ensure your safety, you do need to be able to swim in cold, open water; but we don't expect you will need to swim. We will kit you up with a kayak, paddle and buoyancy aid and our experienced kayaking guide will give you some quick training before you launch into the lake. Our fantastic, outdoor remote-first aid-trained challenge guides will be there the whole time, ready to help you out at the drop of a paddle.

Do I need special equipment?
A bike and a cycling helmet are essential and we advise that you have walking boots or fell running shoes for the hiking element of the challenge. You must also have appropriate waterproof clothing for the canoeing section. We'll provide all the kayaking equipment, including kayaks, paddles and a buoyancy aid. Please also bring your own water bottle (at least 2-litres).

Is there a minimum/maximum age limit?
You need to be 18 years old or over to take part in this challenge. There's no maximum age limit. One of the amazing things about this challenge is that it brings adults of all ages and from all walks of life together for one amazing event. Younger participants may be able to take part if accompanied by an adult participant. Please get in touch with us to discuss this.

If you would like to make the most of your time in this bucket list destination and stay overnight, why not jump on our awesome optional two-night-hotel package?

We'll arrange hotel accommodation in Fort William for you on Friday and Saturday night, plus a two-course meal on Friday evening and a hearty breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday - all for just £250 in addition to your challenge costs). Please get in touch with us for the full details and to book this fantastic package.