Fjällräven Classic to host 50km trek at Muncaster Castle

The Fjällräven Classic UK will see participants embark on a three-day, 50-kilometre hike through the Cumbrian landscape, from September 17 to 20.

The trek starts in the Langdale Valley, then heads through Borrowdale, Wasdale, and Eskdale, before finishing at Muncaster Castle.

This is the first time the UK version of the event has been held at Muncaster.

The Fjällräven Classic was first staged 20 years ago in northern Sweden, above the Arctic Circle.

Each year, versions of the event are staged across four continents, in countries including Denmark, Germany, the USA, Korea, Chile, and the UK.

The event offers an opportunity for hikers of all levels to learn multi-day trekking skills, gain experience and build confidence.

Participants carry their own gear, sleep in their tents, and cook their own meals.

In the two decades since it began, the Fjällräven Classic has seen more than 40,000 people trek over three million kilometres.

Entrants taking part in the FjällrävenClassic 2023 (Image: Fjällräven)

Ewan Frost-Pennington, part of the family who has lived at Muncaster for more than 800 years, said: "We are delighted to be playing host to the Fjällräven Classic which will let people from all over the world see what a special place Muncaster and the surrounding area is.

"Fjällräven is a premier brand respected across the world and it shares our ethos of celebrating wonderful places like the western Lake District – but in a conscientious and caring way.

"We want people to enjoy our landscapes but in a safe, sustainable way.

"We believe the partnership with Fjällräven will encourage a considerate enjoyment of this world famous landscape."

Fjällräven, the specialist clothing and equipment brand, started the Classic to help people learn how to deal with a tent, food, and gas when out in nature.

The idea was for people to experience the wilderness naturally but still be able to complete a long, challenging trek that requires them to be self-sufficient.