Isle of Arran Fifty KM Traverse Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: Year Round
Isle of Arran Ridgeline Traverse
Trek Adventure
A new event designed this year: the Isle of Arran 50k Traverse provides an incredible weekend of mountain adventure. You'll reach the island by ferry and traverse it via its tallest mountains and most impressive ridgelines.
Day One
Take a train, fly to Glasgow, or meet at Ardrossan on the mainland. From here we’ll take the CalMac ferry into Brodick on the Isle of Arran. The ferry journey approaching the island will build suspense, nerves, and excitement as we near the mountains. We’ll take a short transfer to the north of the island to Lochranza and check into our basic but comfortable hostel accommodation. We’ll have an event briefing over a hearty meal.
Day Two
We’ll start from the door of the hostel, beginning our journey south into a huge, foreboding glen. We’ll gradually ascend the one of its glacier-eroded sides up onto a ridgeline and follow this along. The views will stretch to the mainland and to Goatfell, the islands tallest peak. We’ll wind along the ridge until we slowly descend into the valley of Brodick, where we’ll meet our transfer to take us back up to our hostel accommodation.
Day Three
The day will involve a short transfer back to Brodick to start where we finished the day before. This day involves less ascent but with more travel through footpath-less terrain. We’ll summit minor, rounded peaks and explore the pine plantations of the southern section of the island. We’ll finish on the south coast at Kilmory. We can either drop you off at the ferry terminal for your travel home or spend another night in the hostel to reminisce about the adventure and visit the local pub for some local whiskies.
Day Four
We’ll check out of the accommodation and transfer to the ferry, where we’ll cross the Firth of Clyde and make our own journeys home from Ardrossan.
What is a Level 4.0 Trekking Challenge Like?
You are now moving into the realms of serious challenges - where you are likely to encounter rough and steep terrain, sleep deprivation – ie very long days, or even high altitude. In any case - be prepared for an event which is going to take you well past the limits of your comfort zone. Trekking days will be up to 13 hours, or slightly less if the event stretches over several days. The severity of the challenge may be magnified by various factors - and you will need to be more resilient - variable weather conditions, simple food and maybe camping – these factors forms a part of the challenge. You need to be in good shape to undertake any of these events, and you need to be training regularly. The height gain each day is greater than for level 3 - so expect plenty of hills! A level 4 challenge would involve a very long day (in excess of 28 miles) or some serious hill climbing (multiple peaks in one day) - or possibly both!
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 4.0 ‘Trek’?
To participate in these events you need to be in very good fitness. You enjoy taking exercise, and do it regularly (a couple of times a week minimum). You may well partake in several different types of activity, possibly including the gym, swimming, running, or circuit training. You probably are capable of running up to 5 or 6 miles, but in a good steady speed (around 9-10 minute miling). If you do not run - you should be regularly undertaking challenging walks or other strenuous exercise. You should be comfortable walking 17-19 miles in the English lowland countryside.
Equipment Required
Medikit
Suncream, blister repair kit, plasters, vaseline, painkillers, sunbloc
Washkit
Pack towel (lifesystems recommended), soap (small bar)
shampoo (not a full size bottle!), toothbrush, toothpaste (small size)
Hill walking items
Sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner - please check whether you require a sleeping bag
Day sack (25-35 litre)
Rucksack liner(s) / plastic liner(s)
Bladder system (highly recommended - or other water bottles e.g. exercise bottle/Nalgene bottle)
Walking poles (highly recommended)
Sun hat (wide brimmed), neck scarf
Lunches - you may wish to pre-pack lunches, but please check this with us
Snack foods - we recommend good slow burning items - nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars etc.
Warm clothing
Lightweight fleece, medium weight Fleece
Lightweight gloves, heavy gloves (mitten type recommended)
Fleece hat, balaclava
Trek Clothing
Long cotton trekking trousers, 1 pair tracksuit bottoms
Comfortable trekking shirts (long/short sleeved)
Walking boots (broken in with ankle protection)
Gaiters (appropriate to moor wilderness / moorland treks - please ask!)
Walking socks, liner Socks, underwear
1 change of casual evening wear
Waterproofs
Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (Gore-tex, E-vent) & Outer Waterproof Bottoms
Other
Toilet roll / pack of travel tissues, spare lace, camera, film / memory card / spare battery
Wallet, credit cards, cash, sunglasses, spare comfortable shoes, penknife
Mobile phone (packed in a plastic bag deep inside your day pack!), emergency rations (energy foods - for the tough days on trek), head torch with spare batteries and bulb
Kit Hire
It is possible to hire equipment via our specialist kit hire providers Outdoor Hire Ltd. We have negotiated a 10% discount for all our mountain challengers.
Notes on Trekking Events
Trek the Mountains of the World with Adventure Cafe, and our fantastic team of qualified leaders. From the UK, to the Alps, Pyrenees, Atlas Mountains, Himalayas and even Kilimanjaro. Put our International Mountain Leaders to the test! Check.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events