This route was designed as a fundraising challenge for the mentoring charity Chapter2 (http://www.chapter2.org.uk/). Completed within 24 hours, it is a gruelling hike through England’s highest mountains leading you from Honister Pass to St John’s in the Vale. The route incorporates 24 Lakeland peaks above 2000 feet with 4 peaks above 3000 feet. It takes in the most dramatic scenery in the Lake District including Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, and the iconic mountains of Helvellyn, Great Gable, Great End and the Langdales.
Start Point: Honister Slate Mine, Honister Pass, CA12 5XN. What3words location: enthused.rider.populate. During the summer months, Honister Slate Mine is serviced by a 30 minute direct bus from Keswick Bus Station (77 timetable here). There is also a National Trust car park and Youth Hostel (YHA Honister Pass) at the start point.
End Point: The end of the route is the intersection of the B5322 with Old Coach Road in St John’s in the Vale (what3words location: blackouts.scanner.organisms). From here it is then a further 6km walk back into Keswick. The closest bus stop to the end point (X4-X5 timetable here) is a 3km walk into Threlkeld (what3words location: swordfish.cutaway.acrobat).
Whilst The Chapter2 24 Peaks Challenge is one continuous route, it is made up of two logical legs. The first 29km takes in 15 peaks with the second taking in the remaining 9 peaks over the final 19km. You transition between the legs as you cross the A591, 5km north of Grasmere, which provides an opportunity for re-fuelling in a roadside layby if being supported (what3words location: risen.humidity.repelled).
Summary of Peaks:
1. Grey Knotts (697m)
2. Brandreth (715m)
3. Green Gable (801m)
4. Great Gable (899m)
5. Lingmell (807m)
6. Scafell Pike (978m)
7. Broad Crag (934m)
8. Ill Crag (935m)
9. Great End (910m)
10. Allen Crags (785m)
11. Pike of Stickle (709m)
12. Harrison Stickle (736m)
13. Pavey Ark (700m)
14. Thunacar Knott (723m)
15. High Raise (762m)
16. Dollywagon Pike (858m)
17. Nethermost Pike (891m)
18. Helvellyn (949m)
19. Lower Man (925m)
20. Raise (883m)
21. Stybarrow Dodd (843m)
22. Watsons Dodd (789m)
23. Great Dodd (857m)
24. Clough Head (726m)
Comments
The transitions between legs. Is that used as a refuelling point than u go again or do u drive to the start of leg 2.