The Scottish 4000s expedition with Jove Club
A six-day, expedition-style traverse through one of Scotland’s last true wildernesses.
This is not a generic challenge event.
It is not a ‘guided hike’.
And it is not for everyone.
The Jove Club Scottish 4000s Expedition links all of Scotland’s peaks over 4,000ft in a single continuous journey - starting in Lochaber, finishing deep in the Cairngorms, and covering nearly 100 miles of remote Highland terrain in between - carrying everything needed to survive and operate in the wilderness.
Over four or five days, you’ll move through some of the wildest landscapes in the UK: big mountain ridges, high plateaux, and long, isolated traverses where commitment, judgement and teamwork matter as much as fitness.
Very few people will ever attempt this route. Fewer still will complete it.
This is a very serious undertaking - but for the right people, the rewards are extraordinary.
Jove Club could be the first company to run this trip (we’ve not found another provider to run it in this format…) - and probably for good reason.
It’s very remote in places, intensely challenging and will only appeal to the toughest and hardiest of adventurers. That being said, the rewards will be huge! Scotland is the UK’s last true wilderness.
Location: Scottish Highlands - Lochaber, Cairngorms and the ~70 miles in between…
Dates: 13-19 July 2026
Duration: 6 days (4 or 5 out in the wild)
Distance: ~95 miles (153km)
Cumulative Elevation: ~6,500m
Level: Extremely challenging - big mountains at the start and at the end with a very long traverse carrying all the gear you need to survive
Unlike some of our adventure trip pages - this one is long, and it needs to be!
This adventure is a serious test of endurance, teamwork and resilience, taking in dramatic ridges, high plateaux and remote terrain. Expect long days in potentially wild weather, huge views and even bigger personal achievement.
We repeat - very, very few people will have or will ever do this expedition…
Who This Expedition Is For
This expedition is designed for experienced, resilient adventurers who want something above and beyond generic challenge events.
If you’re looking for:
A box-ticking challenge
A fast, superficial experience for social media clicks
Or something achievable with minimal preparation
This is not the right expedition for you.
But if you want:
A genuine test of endurance and judgement
Remote, multi-day travel through wild terrain
To be part of a small, highly committed team
And to take on something very few people ever will
You’re in the right place.
Expedition Structure - How Does it Work?
The Scottish 4000s Expedition is structured in three phases:
1. Selection & Preparation
This expedition is application-only.
All participants are carefully selected to ensure the team is physically prepared, mentally resilient, and aligned with the seriousness of the route.
Once accepted, you’ll enter the Expedition Preparation Phase, which includes:
Detailed route and terrain briefings
Kit guidance specific to long, remote Highland travel
Fitness and readiness expectations
Guidance on pacing, recovery and decision-making over consecutive long days
This ensures everyone arrives ready - not just hopeful.
2. Before we set off
You’ll come to Scotland the day before we set off. This allows us to discuss live updates (e.g. weather!) and gives you time to prepare your kit.
3. The Expedition (4 or 5 Days)
The route links:
The Lochaber 4000s
A long, remote Highland traverse
The Cairngorms 4000s
Expect:
Very long days on foot carrying expedition size packs
Big mountain ascents at the start and end
One of the most isolated mid-sections in mainland UK
Variable weather and demanding conditions
Decisions made in real time, based on the team and environment
The best bit - lasting friendships forged through hardship
Views and landscape that you’ll remember forever
Leadership, safety and route decisions are handled throughout by only very experienced mountain guides, allowing the team to focus on movement, cohesion and execution.
4. Completion & Reflection
The expedition concludes in Aviemore with a well-earned celebration and recovery period.
Completion is marked not just by reaching the finish, but by:
The shared experience
The decisions made along the way
And the commitment shown by the team throughout
This is the kind of adventure that stays with you long after the boots are off.
Why Join This Expedition?
People who are already interested in this trip are those who are keen to test their adventure skills and fitness to the maximum! You’ll get:
A true wilderness journey: Scotland as it was meant to be experienced — vast, remote and uncompromising.
A rare achievement: This is not a challenge many people will ever attempt, let alone complete.
Shared commitment: Face the route alongside a small team of equally driven adventurers.
More than a hike: This is as close as you’ll get to a true backcountry expedition without leaving the UK.
Something genuinely different: Far removed from mass-participation challenges and generic adventure trips.
The Mountain Summits are the Icing on the Cake
There are 9 Scottish 4000 ft Munros spread across two key regions:
Lochaber 4000s (near Fort William):
Ben Nevis – UK’s highest mountain
Càrn Mòr Dearg – CMD arete traverse
Aonach Mor
Aonach Beag
Cairngorm 4000s (Cairngorms National Park):
Cairn Gorm
Ben Macdui – Scotland’s second highest
Cairn Toul
Sgòr an Lochain Uaine (Angel’s Peak)
Braeriach
These combine to form one of Britain’s toughest mountain challenges.
Expedition Structure
Monday - Arrival & Briefing
Meet your team in Fort William and settle into your accommodation. Equipment checks, route briefing and weather assessment to set up for success.
Tuesday (day 1 of challenge) - Lochaber 4000s Traverse
Set out early to hike the Lochaber 4000s. This start with Ben Nevis, reaches the CMD arete and then onto the Aonachs before descending into Glen Nevis. We’ll continue east for as long as we can before finding a spot to camp and rest for the night.
Wednesday (day 2 of challenge) - Corrour Station - Dalwhinnie
No mountains to scale today but 40-50km depending on how far your team can go. This is by far the most remote part of the whole trip.
Thursday (day 3 of challenge) - Glen Feshie - Start of Cairngorms
You’ll have completed 80-90km of the route by this point. You’ll be making your way to the start of the final mountain range.
Friday (day 4 of challenge) - The Cairngorms 4,000s - finish
The glory lap! The Cairngorms are epic and the national park offers a very different landscape to what we will have experienced so far. We’ll start with Cairn Toul then head to Angel’s Peak, Braeriach before reaching Ben Macdui and finally - Cairn Gorm. The great thing about the Cairngorm mountains is once you’re up high for the first peak - you’re on a plateau so can enjoy a more relaxed finish to the event. We’ll finish at the ski centre before heading to Aviemore for a well earned celebration or straight to bed depending on timings!
Saturday - recovery/celebration (potentially day 5 of challenge…)
We expect to be finished and relaxing on Saturday but have intentionally built in a spare day just in case we need it. Hopefully everyone will get through by this point however and you’ll be free to either hang on for a celebratory night out or head home.
Expedition Includes:
✅ Pre-trip application review and selection
✅ Accommodation at the start and end (Fort William & Aviemore) - we’ll also maintain a base in case anyone needs to be extracted
✅ Professional leadership
Qualified Mountain Leaders throughout - all outdoor first aid trained
Ongoing route, weather and safety decisions
Real-time adaptation of plans if required (we’re not going for a walk in the Surrey Hills…) - Route plans may be adapted at the leaders’ discretion to ensure safety and team cohesion.
✅ Support team - to help coordinate resupply and in case of any personnel issues
✅ Logistics coordination (moving spare packs etc.) and resupply planning
✅ Celebration meal on completion
✅ Post-expedition group debrief and recap
✅ Expedition meals & snacks at resupply points
✅ Hundreds of photos…
Not Included:
❌ Travel to and from Scotland (we may be able to collect / drop you off a train stations
❌ Personal clothing and equipment
❌ Individual training or coaching plans (ask us if you need help with this)
❌ Personal insurance
❌ Guarantee of completion - this is a very tough challenge
Please note: This expedition will only run if the right team is assembled. Application does not guarantee acceptance.
Fitness Requirements
A high level of real-world fitness is essential here - by its nature, this event rules out 99% of people - if you’re idea of a hard day is a parkrun then this isn’f for you.
We’re not fussed about how fast your half-marathon is or that you’ve collected 4 HYROX badges… None of those things matter in this case unless you can translate them to the real world.
The only thing we care about is can you sustain hard effort over multiple very long days (potentially 14 hour days) in whatever elements Scotland has for us - without sleeping in a comfy bed every night... That’s what differentiates truly fit and capable adventurers from those who play at it for a few hours on social media.
We’re covering a huge distance with heavy expedition packs in exceptionally remote places and up some very large mountains.
This may sound intimidating - and it should!
However, it doesn’t mean you can’t reach those heights between now and when the expedition starts.
If you’re an ultra-distance athlete or have experienced multi-day expeditions - you’ll already have what it takes.
If all you’ve done is a hike up Snowdon or even Ben Nevis - you need more experience!
So we can’t tell you in numbers what we’re looking for here unfortunately…
The Ideal Candidate
Let’s be clear - we don’t care about age - so long as you’re over 18 and you have proven credentials, we will take you. From our experience, what older people may lack in physical fitness they make up for in determination and mindset.
So please don’t think is for youngsters only!
So what kind of person are we looking for?
People who have completed an ultra-endurance event - ultra-runners, triathletes etc. will likely have no problem with this (so long as they’re okay carrying weight).
Anyone who has completed multi-day, expedition style trips. We’re not after speed here. It’s not a case of ‘keeping up’, it’s about being used to long days generally working hard, contributing to the team and being effective after some poor nights of sleep.
Anyone who has served in the military and generally used to long days in the outdoors.
People who have the mindset and willingness to train and prepare. We get it - the above isn’t everyday. If you’ve got a lot of experience in the mountains or on long treks, and are prepared to train for this - we’d be very happy to have you along.
Cost:
Price: £1,995 per person - we have an ‘early bird’ offer available. Any successful applications (reviewed, approved and deposit paid) made by 31st March 2026 will receive £150 off the total price (£1,845).
This is a small-group, expedition-style journey through Scotland’s most remote and challenging terrain. The price reflects the expert leadership, very careful preparation and risk management, along with logistical support required to safely traverse nearly 100 miles and over 6,500m of elevation in one of the most remote parts of the UK.
Places are extremely limited, with a maximum of 12 participants (split into smaller teams), ensuring safety, quality, and a true expedition experience.
To re-affirm - acceptance is by application only. The expedition will only run if the right team is assembled.
This is not a typical adventure trip - it is a rare opportunity to test yourself, move through true wilderness, and experience a UK expedition few will ever attempt.
Terms
Your place is only secure once we’ve reviewed your application and received your non-refundable deposit (£400).
Full payment must be made 60 days before the trip commences.
We can offer payment plans too.
Not put off yet?
Complete the application form below - please only do it if you’re serious about joining the trip.
What Next?
We’ll reach out to you within 48 hours to discuss next steps and arrange a call (if you want it).
If you’re successful, we’ll send a registration form along with a link to pay the deposit.
Final Words
“This is the most ambitious trip we will have done to date! There’s a reason no other adventure companies can be bothered… It’s very hard work to prepare, a real challenge to coordinate and expensive to organise.
But I believe strongly for the people who join the team - it’s worth it! Aside from the epic sense of achievement, the breathtaking views and everything else that goes with expeditions into the wild, the experience of being part of a real team is what makes it special.
To date - my closest friends are people I went through Royal Marines training with in 2012. People ask me why this is the case?
It’s because of the extreme shared experiences we go through when we’re tired, possibly wet, possibly cold. It’s because we have to work hard for each other.
You’ll have certainly realised by now that real friendships and close teams are not made at work, in the pub, at run clubs or on ‘community’ hikes led by ‘cool’ clothing brands or influencers…
They’re forged by going through something meaningful together.
I remember every Royal Marines training exercise and hard adventure I’ve ever done in great detail - not really for what we did, but for the people involved and what they experienced.
Outside of highly competitive team sports (e.g. rugby!) and the military - teams are really just org charts.
If you want to see what it’s like to be part of a team - and I mean really part of a team - then this trip is for you.” - Freddie, Founder of Jove Club.