Mountain Adventure Holidays
A trail running weekend in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Join our guides on three runs in this stunning location where learning and adventure is everything. Enjoy a supportive and relaxed environment to try out or improve your trail running knowledge and technique.
Suitable for beginner to intermediate trail runners this long weekend is based in the beautiful village of Castleton. Each run will offer different views, trails and opportunities for learning along the way. Explore a variety of trails the Hope and Edale valleys and the Great Ridge.
Packed full of training ideas our long weekends in this stunning area will give you tips, motivation and advice for the season ahead.
Our Peak District Trail Running weekend is designed to make you feel more confident and informed about exploring 'off' the beaten track.
In 1951, the Peak District was the first area of the UK to be designated as a national park. Sitting below the dramatic limestone gorge of Winnats Pass, and mysterious Mam Tor the village of Castleton is one of the most beautiful in the White Peak. Our base, between the Peak Districts' limestone and gritstone landscapes, offers numerous trails including the Limestone Way and the Pennine Way (aka famous Spine Race).
Running with nature ads new dimensions to your health, mind and other sports. Varying training helps prevent injuries, improves strength and fitness and provides a great way to explore the outdoors.
Join expert coaches; have fun, learn lots, and enjoy the company of like-minded people.
The trip price without accommodation is £415.
Images credits: Jen Scotney, Claire Maxted, Dave Taylor & Julia Tregaskis-Allen
We meet in Castleton, one of the Peak District’s most charming villages, with Peveril Castle, plenty of small, independent shops and numerous pubs for guests to explore and enjoy. Castleton is also famed for its caves and caverns, most notably the Blue John Cavern, and is a haven for walkers, bikers and runners.
After introductions we begin our weekend with a discussion on trail Kit & Clothing before heading out for our first run.
Enjoy an easy paced circular warm up run from the Castleton village. All on good paths this flat loop first is the ideal way to get to know the village, the location and some of its history as we pass several medieval sights along the way. Leaving the village our route soon picks up the riverside path to large meadows accessed by small 'squeezer' stiles to reach Hope with its historic Saxon church. We complete our circuit returning back to Castleton wiggling through meadows and farmland. Dinner will be at our accommodation.
Distance: 7km (4.3 miles)
After a hearty breakfast your running guide, who is also a mountain leader, will share their passion of planning routes and mapping trail runs. This session is designed to be a fun and practical look at creating routes and getting to grips with some basic map skills to give you the confidence to start exploring off the beaten yourself track safely and confidently.
We then head to the trails for our second run. Leaving Castleton we join the start of the Limestone Way, the path quickly rises behind Peveril Castle, through Cave Dale to open moorland to reach Mam Tor the Shivering Mountain! Mam Tor, meaning ‘Mother Hill’, sits at 517m (1696ft) high and is not only one of the most famous high spots in the Peak District but makes a very achievable running peak. Here the views are magnificent, particularly along The Great Ridge and Rushup Edge - on a clear day you can even see Manchester! Mam Tor sits on the edge of the Dark Peak (gritstone) and the White Peak (limestone) which means you get some fantastic views of the limestone parts of the National Park, such as the dry gorge of Winnats Pass.
The return leg and descent is all on good trail and gives far-reaching views down the Hope Valley and yesterdays run. Along the way your running guide will offer tips and techniques on how to tackle the trail ahead including uphill and downhill skills on a variety of terrain.
We complete our run with time to explore and sample one of the many charming quintessential British tea rooms. We highly recommend spending time in the Castleton Visitors Centre or visit one of the famous caverns that Castleton is made famous for; Treak Cliff Cavern, Blue John Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and Peak Cavern where you can explore vaulted chambers, bottomless pits, gemstone mines and underground canals via boat. Tonight we eat at one of the other traditional pubs or inns.
Distance: 15 km (9.4 miles)
Our final run begins with a short and steady climb to the foot of Losehill 476m (1561ft). This relatively easy climb has a steady continuous gradient to it's summit offering views into Edale along on along the Great Ridge and start of the Pennine Way. We are then rewarded by a fun descent along the ridge to Back Tor and Hollins Cross where we turn and descend further into the Vale of Edale. We'll have time to test our poles on a variety of downhill terrain before reaching the farms of Barber Booth and Upper Booth as we reach the Pennine Way. Steeped in history, this National Trail chases along the mountain tops along the rugged backbone of England and offers 268 miles of the finest upland walking in England a challenge for many runners in the race known as the Spine Race. From here, depending on how we feel we have several options available to us be it heading to visit Edale village, the official start of the Pennine Way, towards the High Peak and Kinder plateau, Rushup Edge or along the Edale skyline. The exact route taken will be decided according to the weather.
We complete the weekend with farewell drinks around mid afternoon.
Distance: 10-20km (6.2-12.4 miles)
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On all of our trips we take time to research, update and view the best accommodations available to ensure that our guests stay in well-situated, comfortable and characterful accommodation.O
On this trip fees are based on two people sharing a double or twin room with breakfast at either the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn or Ye Old Nags Head in Castleton. The reservation will be in either of these accommodations upon availability at the time of booking and are very close to each other.
If you are travelling alone your booking will be based on a twin bedroom sharing with people of the same gender. Single rooms are available for a supplementary fee.
Situated in the centre of Castleton, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is an historic 17th century coaching inn offering a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. They have 10 tastefully decorated rooms all with ensuite bathrooms with a mix of twin, double and single rooms.
The present building dates from 1660 and gained its licence to sell alcohol in 1748 and became Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn in 1876. Enjoy quality homemade food, 5* service, large selection of draft beers and a very hearty breakfast!
Ye Olde Nags Head Inn, Castleton is a 17th century coaching in the centre of the village offering freshly prepared food and 9 rooms for bed and ‘Derbyshire Breakfast’ with all the trimmings.
Follow this link for details on how to reach Castleton with Google Maps.
Castleton can be reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane!
By road: From the west, take the A625 from Chapel en le Frith following signs for Castleton Blue John Caverns and turn down the Winnats Pass (very steep). The detour signs from the west can be confusing and add considerably to the journey. Please follow these directions rather than Satnav as the postcode covers a large area.
By bus and train: Regular buses connect with Castleton. For bus timetable visit First South Yorkshire and search for the Sheffield-Castleton line no. 272 or no. 271 which goes via Bradwell, Hathersage and Hope. Timetables are published 2 months in advance.
If you wish to travel by train Hope is the closest railway station which is 2 miles away from Castleton. Hope train station is on the Hope Valley line from Manchester to Sheffield.
Taxis from Hope station to Castleton can be booked for approximately £10 with:
Further details on Castleton and the Hope valley can be found on the local tourist office website.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and for the accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
Clothing
Choose from the following items according to the weather on the day. Please ask if you require advice. You must be able to cover yourself with 3 full layers on your upper body and 2 full layers on your legs.
Comfort
Documents
Additional Information
Personal First Aid
If you have any questions with regards to what to bring on your specific trip then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
This running weekend is designed for those wishing to start trail running or improve their current knowledge in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. The focus will be on technique, fun and learning whilst enjoying three Peak District runs.
Suitable for regular runners who would like the freedom of getting out and exploring new places, designed to make you feel more confident and informed about exploring off the beaten track. If you can comfortably run 10 - 20kms (6.2 - 12.5 miles) or can run for 1-2 hours and are looking to learn, explore and improve then this trail running camp is for you!
Everyone will benefit from working with our two excellent coaches, and we feel sure you will benefit whatever your goals and aspirations.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £80.
Dave Taylor is an experienced UK Athletics coach (specialising in Fell and Mountain Running), Mountain Leader, Orienteering Coach and keen fell run racer. Dave won the 2015 English Fell Running Champions (V50 category) and has completed the Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley and Charlie Ramsay Rounds. Dave works full time as a Trail & Fell Running Guide offering coaching, guided runs and navigation training to runners of all abilities.
Dave's passion is running on the trails and fells, mainly in the Peak District but also further afield. As a Fell Running Guide, he's contributed to numerous articles and featured in magazines such as Trail Running, Outdoor Fitness and Men's Running. Dave has been heavily involved in the organisation of major mountain marathons and races including the Edale Skyline and the Ultra Tour of the Peak District.
Julia Tregaskis-Allen, Director of Tracks and Trails, is also an International Mountain Leader, triathlon coach and personal trainer. Julia's love of travel, sport and adventure combined with her passion to share this with others has been the inspiration of many of our trips. In particular, the setting up and guiding of our trail running, cross country skiing and family holidays. For more information about Julia visit our About Us page.
Check out Julia's trail video clips on How to Pack for Trail Running, tips on Running with Poles and other videos on the Tracks and Trails YouTube channel.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the country that they are working in.
Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
For this trip you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation for the weekend, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However not all rooms have lift/elavator access. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We therefore suggest that you travel light, keeping weight to a minimum or choose luggage with wheels. We will be able to arrange for luggage to be stored on the final day whilst we our out on the trails on the departure day.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. We recommend you also bring some 'trail' snacks, bars or gels that you are used to incase you need to supplement this.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
The weather in the UK hills can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the spring - summer months it is generally good but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog and high winds. Temperatures can reach over 20°Celsius (68°F) in the summer, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high points. As with all mountain trails you should be prepared for any eventuality.
The average temperatures however should range from 10-15°Celsius (50-59°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the high points.
Credit or debit cards will be accepted at Losehill Hall however it is useful to arrive with some cash in cash whilst you are out on the trails the group stop for drinks and snacks. It is possible to visit a 'cash machine' or ATM after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card at Castleton Post Office. Please note that the Post Office is only open during normal office hours Monday to Friday.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fri 20 Jun - Sun 22 Jun Code: PTR2 |
Price: £545 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Fri 19 Sep - Sun 21 Sep Code: PTR4 |
Price: £545 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fri 08 May - Sun 10 May Code: PTR1 |
Price: £570 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Fri 19 Jun - Sun 21 Jun Code: PTR2 |
Price: £570 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Fri 31 Jul - Mon 03 Aug Code: PTR3 |
Price: £600 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Fri 18 Sep - Sun 20 Sep Code: PTR4 |
Price: £570 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £545 |
| Holiday Type | Low Impact |
| Duration | 3 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Countries Visited | England |
| Meet In | Castleton, Derbyshire |
