Derbyshire White Peak Marathon Walk Challenge 2025

"If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough." (Ellen Johnson Sirleaf)

“The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times . . . The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile” (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).

Challenge yourself to walk a marathon through the Derbyshire White Peak: literally a marathon length walk of 42 km (26 miles) with 1000 metres of ascent within about 13 hours.

From Ambergate we walk up to Crich, through Leashaw Wood to High Peak Junction where we will stop for morning refreshments. From there we walk up Middleton Incline on the High Peak Trail. 

We continue past Black Rocks and descend to Carsington Water where we pause at the Visitor Centre to replenish water and take a break. 

We continue all the way around the reservoir to Hopton then skirt around the edge of Wirksworth to Alport Height from where we get a good view of The White Peak. 

Finally, we walk through Shining Cliff Wood back to Ambergate.

We will walk at a reasonable average pace of about 3.2 kph (2 mph) with regular stops along the way, as well as longer breaks for a packed lunch and evening meal (you will need to bring both with you). This is a long and challenging walk but it is not a race!

There is a link to the OS Maps route for members, below. 

Dogs are welcome but they must be capable of walking the distance and owners must ensure dogs are well nourished and kept under control at all times. 

NOTE: This is a very challenging walk, published in plenty of time to train as necessary.  Personal safety and wellbeing is paramount, so arrangements will be put in place to 'rescue' participants, if necessary. You must ensure you are fit and well enough to undertake the walk unaided, with suitable footwear, to walk 42 km (26 miles) over 1000 metres of ascent within  13 hours.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

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Image Credits: All images taken by the event leader with permission for OutdoorLads to use.