Take your first steps into wild camping on a relaxed and educational overnight experience. You’ll be introduced to the essentials of wild camping - from selecting a good spot and managing your kit, to staying comfortable, safe, and responsible in the mountains.
Whether you’re completely new to camping or want to refine your skills for multi-day treks, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to enjoy nights under the stars - in the UK hills or on bigger journeys further afield.
Discover wild camping
Why it matters
There’s nothing quite like unzipping your tent to the sound of wind on the ridgeline, or the first glow of dawn spreading across the fells. Wild camping gives you a deeper connection to the landscape - it’s about slowing down, feeling small in the best way possible and finding your own rhythm in wild places.
But it can also feel daunting if you’re unsure where to start. Questions about access laws, safety, or what to pack often put people off before they’ve even tried. This experience is designed to make those first steps simple, safe, and enjoyable - giving you the confidence to head out on your own adventures, whether that’s a night in the Lake District or on a multi-day journey through the Alps.
Who it’s for
This experience is ideal for anyone new to wild camping, or for walkers who want to build confidence spending nights in the hills. You don’t need any prior camping experience - just basic hill fitness, a sense of adventure and a willingness to learn.
If you’ve ever dreamed of backpacking in the Scottish Highlands or taking your first overseas trek, this is the perfect foundation.
What you’ll learn
You’ll gain the knowledge and practical skills to plan and enjoy your own wild camping trips - with a focus on lightweight, responsible travel. During our time together, we’ll cover:
How to plan a route and select a good camping location
Understanding access laws and the ethics of Leave No Trace
Lightweight camping kit: what to pack (and what to leave behind)
Pitching techniques and camp setup for comfort and safety
Sourcing and treating water
Managing weather, nutrition, and morale
Navigation refresher — integrating map, compass, and GPS use
Bivvy and tarp camping options for those who want to go lighter
Along the way, I’ll share insights from my own long-distance backpacking journeys across mountain ranges in the UK and abroad - including how these same skills can open the door to trekking routes like the Cape Wrath Trail, Pyrenees High Route or the Via Alpina.
What to expect
We’ll meet in the afternoon for a short hike into the hills, where we’ll talk about how to identify good wild camping spots, read the landscape and prepare for a night on the hill. As the sun sets, you’ll have a chance to put everything into practice - pitching your tent or bivvy, cooking up dinner and settling into the rhythm of your surroundings.
In the morning, over coffee and (hopefully!) a nice sunrise, we’ll look at how to break camp responsibly, navigate off the hill and plan your next adventure. This isn’t a bootcamp-style course - it’s a relaxed, supportive space where questions are encouraged and the pace is set by you.
What’s included
Instruction and guidance from me - a qualified International Mountain Leader (IML)
Use of group safety equipment
Loan of a tent, bivvy or stove and other camping kit, as required (please ask in advance)
Advice on kit selection and trip planning before and after the trip.
Format
Duration: one afternoon and night, finishing by the following afternoon
Group size: One-to-one or private groups (max 4)
Locations: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales or other areas by request
Price: From £200 per person (or small group rates available)
Needs-based discounts are available for those on lower incomes - please get in touch if this would help you join.
Included: Loan of a tent or bivvy, stove and other camping kit as required (please ask in advance). Advice on kit selection and trip planning before and after the trip.