Nicola's Fjällräven Classic UK 2026

Posted by Nicola Dickinson on Oct 16, 2026

Fjällräven Classic UK 2026, 14th-18th September

The Fjällräven Classic UK 2026 was a three-day adventure through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Lake District.

With trekkers travelling from all over the world, it was as much a multinational social experience as it was a long-distance hike. The weather certainly provided a challenge, but it also made the landscape feel wild and memorable.

Day 1 – Arrival at Great Langdale

The adventure began with arrival at Great Langdale campsite, where the weather was typically changeable. There was plenty of excitement as trekkers arrived, although the journey was slightly delayed due to a mechanical issue with the bus!

After registration, we were issued with the essentials for the trek: a trash bag, route map, Fjällräven passport, gas and food supplies, including tasty Firepot meals and delicious Kendal Mint Cake!

I pitched my Wechsel Zephyr 1, which I had chosen as a lightweight and practical shelter. At 1,058g excluding pegs and bags, it offered a good balance between weight and space. One of its biggest advantages for this trip was the ability to pitch the inner and fly together, which was particularly useful given the forecast for rain and strong winds.

With camp established, I headed to the Fjällräven tent for snacks and hot drinks. Lucy from OS Maps talked us through the route, which was a great opportunity to understand what lay ahead. There was also an interesting talk about the local flora and fauna, complete with a bingo card to encourage us to look out for wildlife and plants along the route.

The evening finished at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Trekkers Dinner, where I enjoyed chicken curry and rice. A fellow trekker from the Netherlands joined me, and it was a great introduction to the international spirit of the event.

Day 2 – Great Langdale to Borrowdale

The first morning started with a Firepot Baked Apple Porridge, which quickly became a familiar and welcome part of the daily routine.

After breakfast, I packed my Fjällräven Keb 55 S/M backpack ready for the off. At around 1,100g, the backpack is relatively lightweight and made from recycled polyamide ARCTEN fabric with UHMWPE Ripstop, making it well suited to the demands of the trek.

The weather had been wet overnight, so I packed the tent in the outside pocket of my backpack to keep the wet fabric away from the rest of my kit.

After queuing to get my initial stamp in my Fjällräven passport, there was a short briefing and the ribbon was cut, marking the official start of the trek. The route took us from Langdale towards Langstrath. With a mixture of rain showers and brighter spells, at one point a rainbow appeared across the valley, providing a welcome reminder of just how beautiful the Lake District can be, even in poor weather.

The ascent over Stake Pass was a significant part of the day, with the route leading us towards the checkpoint at Black Moss Pot. I stopped there to make Firepot Beef Stew with Pearl Barley for lunch and enjoyed the views while giving my legs a chance to recover.

From Langstrath, the route continued towards Borrowdale. The paths became increasingly waterlogged, but the atmosphere among the trekkers remained positive. There were plenty of conversations along the way, with people from different countries and backgrounds sharing stories and experiences.

By the time I reached Borrowdale, I had wet feet and boots. A cup of tea and some Borrowdale cake provided an excellent energy boost before setting up camp in the rain.

Between the rain showers, I cooked a Firepot Chicken Keema Curry and enjoyed the second rainbow of the day before settling down for the night.

Day 3 – Borrowdale to Wasdale

Another morning, another Firepot Baked Apple Porridge!

The day's route took us from Borrowdale towards Styhead Tarn, beginning with a steady climb that became increasingly steep as we approached the tarn. The weather continued to be challenging, but the landscape more than made up for the effort required.

The checkpoint at Styhead Tarn provided my absolute favourite food stop of the trip: a cup of tea with scones, clotted cream, jam and strawberries. After the climb, it was a welcome treat!

After leaving Styhead Tarn, the rain became heavier and the wind stronger as we descended on narrow, slippery, rocky paths towards Wasdale. The showers continued throughout the day and in places, there was so much water on the paths that walking through water was simply the easiest and only way to continue. My Patagonia Triolet Gore-Tex jacket and Rab Women's Downpour 2.5L pants provided excellent protection from the elements. Despite the conditions and wet feet, the scenery remained beautiful and spirits were high.

The reward at the end of the day was a beautiful, sheltered camping spot on the shores of Wastwater. I cooked a late Firepot lunch of Spicy Pork Noodles and took time to relax and take in the surroundings. Some adventurous trekkers decided to take a dip in the lake despite the weather. They were certainly braver than me!

After chatting to other campers, I cooked my evening meal, Firepot Porcini Mushroom Risotto, which was my favourite Firepot meal of the trip! I benefited from the sheltered camp spot as the weather was a little wild overnight.

Day 4 – Wasdale to Muncaster

The final trekking day began, as usual, with Firepot Baked Apple Porridge before packing up camp.

From Wasdale, the route towards Burnmoor Tarn provided another ascent. The dramatic landscape, water underfoot, and hopping across rocks, made for one of my favourite sections of the walk.

Later, at Eskdale Mill in Boot, I enjoyed a well-earned rhubarb crumble ice cream along with many others, who stopped to enjoy a treat.

At the checkpoint at Stanley Ghyl, we were treated to leek and potato soup. By now, these food stops had become more than just opportunities to refuel; they were welcome chances to warm up, chat and share experiences with other trekkers.

The final approach towards Muncaster was particularly spectacular, with amazing sea views opening up as the route descended.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the castle entrance and further on the finish line.

I was greeted with cheers as I crossed the finish line together with a fellow trekker from the Netherlands. We received a Fjällräven pin badge and a Fjällräven Classic UK badge – small souvenirs of a memorable trip! We also had the opportunity to empty our trash bags for an entry into the evening’s raffle.

I enjoyed a drink with the friends I’d made along the route at the Trekkers Inn in the grounds of Muncaster Castle and spent time cheering on other trekkers as they completed their own journeys.

Back at camp, I pitched my tent and finally enjoyed a warm shower. The evening turned into a proper celebration, with a pulled-pork feast, followed by live music and dancing at the ceilidh. After three days of walking, rain, mud and wet feet, it was a fantastic way to finish the adventure.

Day 5 – Homeward Bound

The final morning brought one last serving of Firepot Baked Apple Porridge, before it was time to pack everything away.

Typically, the tent was probably the driest it had been since arriving. Despite the challenging weather, the Wechsel Zephyr 1 had performed brilliantly throughout the trek, keeping me dry and providing a comfortable home every night. I could finally pack it up dry in my backpack for the journey home on the bus and train. The Fjällräven Keb 55 S/M backpack had also been both a comfortable and practical back pack, providing ample space for my kit.

There were final goodbyes to the people I had met along the route before boarding the bus and beginning the journey home.

Looking back, the Fjällräven Classic UK 2026 was about much more than simply walking from one end of the route to the other. The Lake District provided an incredible backdrop, from rainbows over the valleys to dramatic mountain landscapes, tarns, waterfalls and the shores of Wastwater.

The weather certainly tested us, with rain, waterlogged paths, steep climbs and wet feet becoming part of the experience. But those challenges also created some of the most memorable moments.

Most of all, it was the people who made the event special. The Fjällräven Classic is a truly multinational event, bringing together trekkers from all over the world. Conversations with fellow walkers, shared meals, encouragement from the volunteers on the trail and celebrations at the finish created a real sense of community.

I came home tired, wet, muddy and with plenty of kit to dry – but also with fond memories of a great adventure and the lovely people I met along the way.

Until the next adventure…

Kit highlights

Backpack:

Fjällräven Keb Latt 55 S/M (coming soon)

Tent:

Wechsel Zephyr 1 Tent

Sleep system:

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Regular Sleeping Mat

Mountain Equipment Women’s Helium 250 Down Sleeping Bag

Sea to Summit Aeros Premium pillow, large

Sea to Summit breeze lightweight sleeping bag liner, short

Cooking: