Peak District Challenge

100 miles in 24 hours Ultra The 100miles route is a lapped course, following the 100km route in it’s entirety, before going back out following the bronze 50km route. After Calver, 100mile entrants will switch to the Copper route, finishing their challenge on the eastern edges, and descending in to Hathersage within 24 hours. There is approximately 4800m of elevation. The terrain is a mixture of trails, grassy footpaths and under 15% tarmac minor roads. Gold Ultra 100km in 24 hours Featuring 3300m of ascent, the 100km Gold Ultra route is the ultimate Peak District Challenge, and should be attempted by teams of fit and experienced trekkers or runners who want to see the best that the Peak District has to offer. You’ll visit high points and viewpoints on your way between checkpoints, and there is a lot of climbing involved. You’ll leave Hathersage at 9pm on Friday night. Night navigation experience is essential. Silver Challenge – 75km in 24 hours 75km (47 miles) with a 24 hour target and 2,235m of ascent. Departing the Hope valley at 9pm on Friday evening, you trek east up on to the Dark Peak moors. You will cross Stanage edge, site of Robin Hood’s cave, and Foulstone Moor to reach Back Tor. Next it’s a descent to Ladybower Valley and an easy flat section around Ladybower reservoirs where the Dambusters trained for their bombing missions in WWII. You will climb to the geological oddity of Alport Castle, before descending to the vale of Edale through forests, Woodlands valley and the route of the Roman road. The route home follows the river Derwent north along the Derwent Valley heritage trail through rolling fields and alongside the chattering river to Padley and Grindleford. Your challenge is to finish by 9pm on Saturday evening. Bronze Challenge – 50km in 12 hours You will leave Hathersage in the Hope valley and walk up the Hope Valley on good paths past Hope and Bamford until you reach Castleton. From here, you will turn south to join the Limestone Way past Peveril Castle and trek through the valley nature reserve of Hay Dale. Leaving the Limestone way you will meander through idyllic White Peak villages and the Derbyshire Dales nature reserves on your way up to Middleton Moor. A tracked section through the Peak District’s working landscape brings you to pretty Baslow and the final climb up to the Eastern Edges. You pass above Baslow, Curbar and Froggatt edges with iconic Peak District views until you reach Padley and Grindleford, from where you will rejoin the Derwent Valley heritage trail, and follow the course of the river back home to Hathersage. The total ascent is approx 1140m over the 50km. Copper Challenge – 25km You will leave Hathersage in the Hope valley and wind your way past Grindleford, along beside the river Derwent and through the woods to pretty Baslow. From here, you will climb up Curbar and Frogatt edges enjoying some lovely views back to the valley. Next you will wander through Padley Gorge, through the Burbage Valley and up towards Millstone Edge and Mother Cap. Then it’s a final long downhill along public footpaths to the finish past Mitchell Field and High Lees, and finally find yourself back in Hathersage again. Are you ready to take on the copper challenge and can you finish within the 9 hour target?