Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District
Skills WeekendBeginner

Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District

Every experienced mountaineer was once someone who didn't know these skills.

May 29–31, 2026 · Lake District, Cumbria

Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 1
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 2
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 3
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 4
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 5
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 6
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 7
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 8
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 9
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 10
Mountain Hiking Skills — Lake District — photo 11

About this trip

A practical mountain skills weekend in the Lake District. Navigation, route-finding, terrain movement — built for people who want to stop following and start leading their own routes.

Most people who want to do bigger things in the mountains aren't held back by fitness. They're held back by not knowing how to navigate in bad weather. By not trusting their own route choices. By that quiet unease about leaving a marked track. This weekend is specifically for that gap.

Two days in the Lake District with specially selected Mountain Leaders — not walking behind a guide while they navigate, but learning to do it yourself, in real terrain, with real feedback. By Sunday afternoon you'll leave with skills you'll use for the rest of your time in the hills.

Highlights

  • Navigation — map reading, compass use, bearing work, contour interpretation
  • Route choice and decision-making on real mountain terrain
  • Terrain movement — pacing, ascent and descent technique, energy management
  • Real-time coaching — you'll plan and lead sections with leader oversight
  • Qualified UK Mountain Leaders — small groups, maximum individual attention
  • Two full days in the fells — YHA Borrowdale, heart of the Lake District

Itinerary

Get to YHA Borrowdale from early evening. The hostel sits in the heart of Borrowdale — one of the most dramatic valleys in the Lake District. Settle in, sort kit, meet the group. Keep it relaxed — dinner together, early night.

What's included

  • 2 nights at YHA Borrowdale — one of the best-positioned hostels in the Lake District
  • Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday
  • Two full days of Mountain Leader-guided skills coaching
  • Navigation, route choice and terrain movement coaching woven into real mountain days
  • WhatsApp planning group — Freddie in the group answering kit and prep questions before you arrive

Not included

  • Transport to Borrowdale (we can help coordinate car shares in the WhatsApp group)
  • Lunches and evening meals (good pub nearby, hostel has a kitchen)
  • Personal kit and clothing

Physical requirements

No mountain experience required — the whole point is to get you started. You should be able to walk for 6–8 hours comfortably. If you've done some hiking before, you're well placed. This weekend is equally valuable for complete beginners and people with some experience who want to fill in the gaps.

Meeting point

YHA Borrowdale, Rosthwaite, Keswick CA12 5XB. Closest train station is Windermere. We'll coordinate car shares in the WhatsApp group.

A note from Freddie

Aside from this being a weekend in the stunning mountains of the Lake District, you'll be learning or refreshing skills alongside others. No matter what any travel agent says, being sat in a nice hotel for a weekend won't take your mind off of work like a few days in the mountains. All you'll have to think about is the group around you, the route in front of you and the epic scenery surrounding you. We've got some huge, epic adventures coming up — this is a chance to practise fundamental skills, build mountain fitness and ultimately develop confidence. — Freddie Sankey, Founder of Jove Club

Price per person

£330

Full payment required at checkout

Dates

May 29–31, 2026

Duration

2 days

Difficulty

Beginner

Location

LAKE DISTRICT

Availability

3 places left

Book your placeHave a question? Get in touch →
Mountain Leader qualified guides
Small groups — never crowded
Full pre-trip support and kit guidance
Cancel or defer up to 60 days before

£330

£330 deposit to reserve

Book your place

Google Reviews

What they said
when they got home.

5.0· 23 reviews on Google

I had the best time on the Jove weekend trip to the Peaks. Got there and they helped set up my new tent — very friendly from the off. Zero judgement across the weekend for anything. It was about learning the skills needed to thrive outdoors, without any of the judgement you get with some providers. It gave me my confidence back outdoors, and I've booked onto my next trip already.

L

Leah Brunskill

2 weeks ago

Jove are fantastic. I've been going to their weekly strength sessions at Battersea park for a couple of months now and I've felt my confidence and strength for mountaineering and trail running come on in leaps and bounds. Their trips are incredibly good fun and genuinely valuable. Can't recommend highly enough — wish I'd joined sooner!

A

Alex White

3 weeks ago

Enjoyed a wonderful weekend of hiking, camping, trail running, navigation & fitness sessions (and some cracking pubs, pie & pizzas!) in the Peak District with a group of wonderful people. We all had different levels of previous outdoor experience & all were catered for. Thanks to Freddie & the Jove club team for leading us safely & challenging us.

C

Claire

3 weeks ago

I joined a Jove Weekender Trip to the Peak District for the weekend and had an amazing time! Freddie & the team were very welcoming and knowledgeable and it really gave me confidence to try and do more hiking in the future! I'll definitely be joining for some of the London sessions and hopefully a future trip. Would thoroughly recommend!!

B

Bryony Kirby

3 weeks ago

Joined Jove Club for an amazing trip to the Cairngorms to learn winter mountaineering skills! Small group of adventurous people, everyone was super supportive and keen to learn. Perfect weekend spent outdoors!

L

Lizzie

2 months ago

Huge shout out to Freddie for sorting out the winter skills training in the Cairngorms. We had an extremely knowledgeable instructor who took us through everything we needed to know about Scottish winter! I had a great weekend away and the group really topped it off as a stand out trip. Would also highly recommend the weekly social bouldering sessions in London.

T

Tom Roberts

2 months ago

I could not recommend Jove Club enough for anyone who wants to get outside, explore the country and test their physical and mental limits. I've done things in the past year I would never have done myself, with an amazing group of driven, friendly and kind people — and it's been an absolute blast.

R

Richard Scothern

4 months ago

I had such a great time on the Peak District climbing trip! Having joined for their London bouldering sessions for a couple of months, it was great to put my new skills to use outside. We had an amazing instructor who made me feel so at ease. The group was great fun — everybody was so positive and supportive of each other. Can't wait to join more trips next year!

E

Emily Elizabeth

4 months ago

I did the Welsh 3000s challenge with Jove Club in July and it was unreal. Freddie is a fantastic leader — he makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Looking forward to my next Jove Club adventure!

E

Emily

8 months ago

Before Jove, I never really thought of myself as a runner. But within weeks of joining, I was running 5Ks, then 10Ks. My first proper test was our Brecon trek — two days, 35km, 1,300m of elevation. It was brutal, but it was also the moment I realised how much the people around you shape the experience. Jove isn't just about getting fitter — it's about pushing your limits in a way that actually feels fun.

V

Vevek Shah

8 months ago

I love Jove Club. On paper, I had everything I needed to be happy, but it wasn't until I joined Jove that I realised something was missing — adventure! It's so easy in London to get stuck in a rut. Jove gets me out of the house with like-minded people and gives me things I didn't even realise I was missing. Join, you won't regret it.

C

Christopher Sykes-Popham

1 year ago

I went on the Peak District Climbing adventure not knowing any of the group but felt immediately welcomed by everyone. The group was very supportive given my lack of any prior climbing experience and definitely pushed my limits. The trip itself was extremely well organised — everything was covered from food and instructors to what gear to bring. Immediately came home and booked myself on another adventure!

O

Olly

1 year ago

I had an absolutely incredible experience on a walking adventure weekend with Jove Club! From start to finish, everything was brilliantly organised. Freddie's enthusiasm and leadership created such a positive, welcoming atmosphere — making the weekend about more than just the hike. If you're looking for a well-organised, exciting outdoor experience with great company, I can't recommend Jove Club enough.

H

Henry Lort-Jones

1 year ago

Can't express enough how glad I am that Freddie has created Jove Club! The recent Brecon trip was epic — a tough challenge that we all pushed through. In only a couple of months I've made significant strides towards my fitness goals. The regular adventure challenges add purpose to the training in London and the people in the club are top quality.

H

Harry Webb

1 year ago

The Peak District climbing weekend was meticulously planned by Freddie and Jove Club. I felt a massive sense of achievement on the Sunday afternoon walking off the crag. If you are considering a weekend away with like minded people to push yourself beyond your comfort zone then I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jove Club.

C

Connor Herrington

1 year ago

The mix of classes — in particular the run and fitness sessions outdoors — is absolutely amazing and unlike anything else I've found in London. The sessions are inclusive of mixed ability but with enough challenge for everyone. Really look forward to putting my fitness to the test during one of the trail runs and adventure trips!

F

Francesca Richards

1 year ago

Joining Jove is the best thing I've done for my fitness and health this year. Anyone looking to get fit, get outdoors and meet great people — this is where it's at. In just a few months I've met some great people, built confidence, and lost 3kg whilst getting stronger and running faster.

J

Joseph McEachron

1 year ago

Jove is the missing piece of London life. Such a welcoming and friendly club with a fantastic range of activities. Everything geared towards adventure trips is such a great way to train and get fit with a proper functional goal. The Peak District climbing weekend was fantastically well organised — can't wait to do another.

T

Tom Frew

1 year ago

I've had a great time with Jove — it's got a great mix of challenging and fun activities. The Peak District climbing trip was super well organised, great instruction provided, and a great way to get out of London for a weekend and learn some new skills.

V

Vito Tomasi

1 year ago

The Jove Club climbing weekend in the Peak District was a fantastic experience, filled with great routes and even better company. Everyone from beginners to seasoned climbers felt included and challenged. A brilliantly run weekend that captured the spirit of adventure.

J

John Cain

1 year ago

Great sessions which are well planned and adaptable to fitness levels. Welcoming atmosphere at meets and easy to use site for booking.

C

Calvin Freese

1 year ago

I have attended fitness and climb sessions and would really recommend Jove. Accessible and tailored to your fitness but with plenty of challenge and very social!

S

sioned press

1 year ago

Attended a session last week — great and welcoming atmosphere, the PT was very knowledgeable and provided alternative exercises. Will be back!

E

Elin Wilde

1 year ago