What we’re about
Thank you for joining City Mountaineering - London's most exciting mountain hiking group - and the only group specialising in small group, environmentally sustainable mountain adventures!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
All our weekend trips include return train travel from London. This is not only the most environmentally sustainable way to travel, but maximises your time in the mountains!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
LATEST INFORMATION
Many of our trips fill up months in advance, before they are even promoted on MeetUp...
How? Because many people subscribe to our regular email updates and get first notice of any new trip added to the diary. You can also get early notice by subscribing here
We're also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityMountaineering
And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citymountaineering/
We will hopefully see you in the mountains soon!
Stuart
-------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT CITY MOUNTAINEERING
London's best and most exciting mountaineering group.
This is a group for anyone interested in walking, hiking, rock climbing, camping and anyone with a sense of adventure to experience the wonders of the British mountain environment in a relaxed, fun and safe manner.
Our purpose is simple: To provide access to the British mountain environment for all. Irrelevant of social, economic and cultural background and irrelevant of your mountain/hiking experience: All skill levels are welcome.
This group was started to offer more adventurous trips, with small groups, from London to all areas of the UK.
Summary of what to expect on City Mountaineering trips:
• All trips are lead by passionate, qualified and highly experienced mountaineers (Qualified Mountain Leaders and Climbing Instructors)
• All trips, unless otherwise stated, are fully inclusive of return travel, food, accommodation and guided hiking (all you have to do is turn up at the London meeting point and enjoy!)
• Small group sizes (maximum 8 people per trip), this enables:
> • Best quality support
> • Trip flexibility (to provide a true wilderness experience)
> • Get to know your fellow mountaineers better than in larger groups
> • Allow you to realise potential that you may never have thought possible
> • Reduce the human impact on the natural environment
We look forward to exploring and sharing the Great British mountain environment with you!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Trek the Skye Trail: A Scottish Highland Adventure!Inverness, Inverness£100.00
**TRIP FULL**
This trip is being repeated at the end of May (spaces still available): https://www.meetup.com/citymountaineering/events/305419701A 9-day trip (just 4-days off work!), including 7-days of hiking the Skye Trail - an unmarked route of 127km (79 miles) through the island of Skye.
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the rugged and mystical landscapes of the Isle of Skye on the iconic Skye Trail!
Join us for an unforgettable hiking adventure as we traverse this legendary route, immersing ourselves in the breathtaking beauty and rich history of Scotland's Highland wilderness.
There are no waymarks for the route and we are off the beaten track so many sections do not even have a path.
🗻 Spectacular mountain views - passing under the shadow of the Jagged Cuillin mountains;
🏝️ Coastal scenery - from beaches to cliff-tops that are remarkable but almost unvisited;
🏞️ Haunting deserted villages - destroyed in the highland clearances;
🐬 Wildlife watching - From Sea Eagles to Dolphins***
ITINERARY
Saturday (AM)
Meet in Inverness, then drive to Isle of Skye for a short walk to your first wild camp locationSunday: Coastal hike to Flodigarry (17km)
The trail starts from Skye's most northerly tip, Rubha Hunish, and follows a spectacular section of the coastline, continuing above dramatic cliffs to reach Flodigarry for a night of wild campingMonday: Hike inland to The Storr - Trotternish Ridge (25km)
A slightly more challenging stage climbs from Flodigarry beneath the amazing rock formations of The Quiraing, continuing south on the Trotternish Ridge towards the Storr - this must be one of the most dramatic ridge traverses in Britain!The day will end with a wild camp amongst the dramatic scenery of our surroundings
Tuesday: Cliff-top hike to Portree (18km)
The third stage of the Skye Trail, takes a short walk to The old man of Storr before a descent to the road, which leads to a fabulous parade along the top of dramatic coastal cliffs with superb views.We will restock supplies in Portree and spend the night in a local hostel.
Wednesday: Rest Day
You have the option of either hiking stage 4 of the trail, or seeing the trail in the comfort of the minibus. We will also visit some other local attractions that are not on the trail (e.g. Fairy Pools, Talisker distillery, Black Cuillins)At the end of the day we will stay in a hostel connected to arguably the best pub on the island.
Thursday: Hike below the mighty Cuillin mountains to Elgol (15km)
This day we follow a rough track through the remote Glen Sligachan (a valley separating the mighty Black Cuillin with the Red Cuillin) to the beautiful bay at Camasunary . Arriving at the coast on the south-west of the island, we will camp on the shores of the Atlantic oceanFrom here a vertiginous cliff path with fantastic views across the water to the Cuillin
This will be a shorter hiking day, where we can spend the afternoon relaxing in Elgol for the afternoon
Friday: Hike on good trails to Torrin (17km)
The sixth stage presents a lovely day with great views to Sleat and the small isles, ending at Torrin where there is a summer cafe and a B&B - Although, depending on the weather, we may be spending our final night on that trail on a summit with views over the bay, the ocean and the mountains!Saturday: Coastal hike to Broadford (20km)
The final stage follows the coast from Torrin to the cleared villages of Suisnish and Boreraig before heading inland to pick up the Marble Line, the old railroad route into Broadford and the end of the Trail.We will then check-in to our accommodation and celebrate the completion of the Skye Trail with a hearty meal and drinks
Sunday (AM)
Return to Inverness (expect to arrive around 2pm)***
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime as we trek the Skye Trail and discover the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands! Reserve your spot now and get ready to experience the magic of Skye's legendary landscapes!
***9-days for an all inclusive price of just £795 To reserve your place, simply click on the RSVP, pay the £100 deposit and we'll be in contact with further details
Cost includes
• Travel and logistical Support from Inverness
• All food whilst hiking (from breakfast on Sunday to lunch on Saturday) - excluding the rest day
• All accommodation (tents provided for wild camping sections, hostels & B&Bs)
• Guided hiking by an experienced and qualified Mountain LeaderNot included
• Return transport between home and Inverness
• Your personal hiking kit
• Your personal travel insurance
• food & drink before/after the hike and on the rest day***
All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)Please be aware of our Participation Statement and Terms & Conditions prior to joining
- Hike Ben Nevis - Includes bed on sleeper train from London!Euston Railway Station, London£100.00
**TRIP FULL**
2-days in The Scottish Highlands. We will hike two for two full days including the ascent of Ben Nevis - The highest mountain in The UK!
INCLUDES RETURN TRAVEL ON THE CALEDONIAN SLEEPER TRAIN!
Bed in single-sex, en suite twin room
***
Join an exclusive club to reach the highest point on the British mainland in a single weekend without taking a single day off work!A weekend hiking in The Scottish Highlands - A perfect break from the busy city! - You will be guided to the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in The UK!
A bed in a single-sex, ensuite, twin room on the sleeper train from London to Fort William (return) included! - NO DAYS OFF WORK!
We will sort out the logistics, travel and accommodation - You just need to turn up at the meeting point and enjoy :)
You don't need to have any prior experience (although reasonable fitness is expected as it is a mountain after all) and the small group size will enable us to give you our full attention throughout the weekend, ensuring your safety and enjoyment is our number one priority.
***
ITINERARY
Please note that exact timings and order of activities are subject to change, based on the local conditions at the time. We will always pick the best weather day for the Ben Nevis ascent.Day 0 - Friday evening
- Meeting outside London Euston train station at 8pm, you will board the Caledonian Sleeper train for an overnight journey to Fort William (bed in a single-sex, twin room with one of your fellow adventurers)
Day 1 - Saturday: Climb Ben Nevis
- Arrival in Fort William: Meet you guide in Fort William at 10am for a trip briefing on the day’s climb, including safety instructions and what to expect.
- Begin the Ascent: Start the climb from sea level, taking the well-trodden Mountain Track.
- Lunch on the Trail: Enjoy a packed lunch while taking in the stunning mountain scenery.
- Reach the Summit: Celebrate your achievement as you reach the summit of Ben Nevis, with time to take photos and enjoy the panoramic views.
- Descent: Begin the descent back to Glen Nevis, reflecting on the accomplishment.
- Evening: Check-in to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest and a group dinner at a local pub to share stories of the day’s climb.
Day 2 - Sunday: Explore Fort William and Departure
- Breakfast: Start the day with a nutritious breakfast.
- Exploration: After a briefing for the days activities, you will head out on a hike in the local area. Where you hike will depend on the weather. It could be a local hill, or it could be exploring the Glen Nevis valley or surrounding areas.
***
DIFFICULTY: This trip is designed to be a moderate 2-days in Scotland. The routes are straight forward but some steep uphill and downhill hiking is unavoidable. A reasonable level of fitness is expected, but you don't need to be a super-athlete to join this trip.
Your qualified guide is highly experienced enough to keep the pace slow and everyone happy, safe and motivated throughout the tripTRANSPORT: Overnight return Sleeper Train train journey (bed in single-sex, twin cabins) from London and short distance minibus transfers in Scotland
ACCOMMODATION: Single-sex, twin rooms in a warm and comfy hotel
***
Join us for a memorable weekend climbing Ben Nevis and experiencing the beauty of the Scottish Highlands! Reserve your spot now and get ready to conquer the UK’s highest peak.Cost: £465. To join, simply RSVP and pay the £100 deposit. We'll then be in contact with more details
Included in the price:
- Bed in single-sex, ensuite twin share room on sleeper train (return) from London to Fort William
- Transport and logistical support in Scotland
- 1 night accommodation in Fort William
- 2-days instruction and guidance by a highly experienced and qualified mountain leader
Not included in the price:
- All food/drink
- Personal hiking kit
- Personal travel insurance
***
All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)Please be aware of our Participation Statement and Terms & Conditions prior to joining
- Skye Base Camp: Hiking, Scrambling and Wild CampingInverness airport, Inverness-shire£100.00
**JUST 2 SPACES AVAILABLE**
*Current Group: 1 male, 4 female. All solo travellers*A long weekend of wild camping and scrambling the sections of the famous Cuillin Ridge on The Isle of Skye!
Hike into the middle of the mountains, set up camp and start exploring!
Our Base Camp Series offers you the chance to experience camp life and to explore remote mountain areas that would be hard to reach in a day or a weekend.The exact location of the base camp will be determined by the weather and conditions but on this trip we'll be heading deep into the Isle of Skye's Cuillin mountains.
The Isle of Skye is truly one of the UK's most beautiful, unique and wild landscapes and on this trip you'll have the chance to really immerse yourself in it. Both the white-tailed sea eagle and the golden eagle are common sights in the island's skies and its one of the best places in the UK to see otters.
You'll start the trip by boarding a boat that'll take you right into the wild heart of the island. You'll then hike in deeper still before setting up camp. Home for the next three days and two nights!
From the base camp you'll be able to explore the lesser known parts of the mountain range, travelling light as you leave what you don't need at camp. Each evening will be spent dining al fresco as the sun goes down, sharing a drop of wine or a dram of whiksy with your camp mates.
🗻 Spectacular mountain walks - Scramble to the summit of the Jagged Cuillin mountains;
🏝️ Coastal scenery - from beaches to cliff-tops that are remarkable but almost unvisited;
🐬 Wildlife watching - From Sea Eagles to Dolphins
***
ITINERARY
Please note that the exact itinerary/camp location will be dependent on the local weather conditions.
Below is an example itinerary:Friday (10am): You will be met at Inverness train station/airport by your guide and driven on to the Isle of Skye.
You'll board small boat that will transport you into the heart of the Cuillin mountains before hiking deeper into the wilderness where you will set up base camp. You'll be carrying all our kit in but the pace will be relaxed and there'll be plenty of chances to stop and take in the breathtaking scenery.
One we've set up camp, there will be time to relax as you eat an al fresco dinner, sip wine and bask in the wildness of it all before retiring to the warmth of your sleeping bags.Saturday: There'll be time for a relaxed breakfast before leaving camp to head out on a day hike and scramble up a nearby mountain with a traverse on a section of the mighty Cuillin Ridge!
Having a base camp means we can travel light, carrying only what we need for that day, and our remote camp will give us a chance to explore the less well-known and rarely climbed peaks.
It'll be back to base camp in the late afternoon for a cup of tea and a chance to relax around camp and take in the surroundings, keeping our eyes peeled for sea eagles soaring above and otters playing in the lochs.
Sunday: The journey back to civilisation. After having breakfast and coffee and packing up camp, you'll hike out of the wilderness (taking a different route to the one we hike in on), scrambling around the rocky coastline and back to our waiting transport.
There'll be a chance to shower at that night's accommodation before celebrating our return from the wild with dinner at a local traditional pub.
Monday: You'll be driven back to the train station/airport to begin your journey back home. If there's time, we may even stop a local distillery on our for a quick tour and chance to buy some souvenirs. Expect to arrive Inverenss airport at around 2pm.
***
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime as scramble on the mighty Cuillin mountains of Skye and discover the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands! Reserve your spot now and get ready to experience the magic of Skye's legendary landscapes!
***
A long weekend for an all inclusive price of just £495 To reserve your place, simply click on the RSVP, pay the £100 deposit and we'll be in contact with further detailsCost includes
• Travel and logistical Support from Inverness
• All food not eaten in a cafe/pub/restaurant
• All accommodation (tents provided for wild camping sections, hostel/B&B on final night)
• Guided scrambling and hiking by an experienced and qualified guideNot included
• Return transport between home and Inverness
• Your personal hiking kit
• Your personal travel insurance
• food & drink in cafes/pubs/restaurants
***
All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)Please be aware of our Participation Statement and Terms & Conditions prior to joining
- Bank Holiday Weekend! - Hiking & Wild Camping in The CairngormsEuston Railway Station, London£100.00
*PUBLIC HOLIDAY WEEKEND*
3-days hiking and wild camping in The Cairngorms National Park.***
Is there a better way to spend a long weekend than sleeping under the stars, hidden away from the crowds, in the mountains?This long weekend will involve exploring the The Cairngorm Plateau - The highest plateau, featuring 5 of the highest 6 mountains, in the UK - hiking and wild camping away from the crowds to clear your mind and open your senses to your majestic surroundings.
Over 500 miles north of London, it's amazing that this trip is even possible within this timeframe and we are so excited about it!
***
ITINERARY
Please note that exact timings and order of activities are subject to change, based on the local conditions at the time.Friday evening: Departure
- Meet outside Kings Cross train station at 5pm and board the train for a relaxing journey to Edinburgh.
- Meet your guide in Edinburgh and check in to your accommodation for the night.
Day 1: Begin the adventure
- After breakfast you will be transported to The Cairngorms National Park (South/Central region) to begin your wild camp journey through one to the UKs last wildernesses.
- Today will involve hiking on relatively easy terrain (although the heavy rucksacks will ensure a slow pace) up the valley - through lush green forests, along beautiful rivers and across the site of many BBC Nature Programmes (look out for Golden Eagles, Red Deer, Red Squirrel, Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Otters, Water Voles, Pine Martin... I could go on and on... This place is as diverse in nature as the UK has to offer!)
- You will set up base camp next to the river/lake (wild swim anyone?) before enjoying dinner and retiring to bed under the stars
Day 2
- Wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy an al fresco breakfast surrounded by the huge mountains of The Cairngorms
- After breakfast you will leave your base camp for a journey over some of the more remote munros (Scottish mountains) of the region before returning to base camp for a well earned al fresco dinner.
- Evening: Share stories around the stove and enjoy another night under the stars.
Day 3: Hike out and Return Train to London
- Following your second night at base camp, you will pack away the tents and hike back to civilisation for dinner before boarding a train back to London (expect to arrive in Kings Cross at around 10pm)
***
DIFFICULTY: This trip is designed to be a moderate 3-days in The Cairngorms National Park and requires a reasonable level of fitness:- This trip is designed for individuals with a reasonable level of fitness. The hikes involve hiking up and down hills over rugged terrain.
- You should be prepared to carry their own camping gear and supplies during hikes.
Your qualified guide is highly experienced enough to keep the pace slow and everyone happy, safe and motivated throughout the trip
TRANSPORT: Return train journey from London to Edinburgh and road transfers to the mountains.
ACCOMMODATION: 1-person tents.
This is a Wild Camping Challenge trip. We can provide you with a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat if you don't already have them
***
Join us for an unforgettable 3-day adventure hiking and wild camping adventure in The Cairngorms National Park! Reserve your spot now and get ready for a challenging and rewarding experience in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.COST: £545
To join simply RSVP and pay the £100 non-refundable deposit. We will then be in contact with more information.INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
• Return train travel from London to Edinburgh
• Road transfers in Scotland
• All logistical support in Scotland
• Use of our tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, water purifiers and cooking equipment
• All meals from lunch on Saturday until lunch on Monday
• Guiding hiking with a highly experienced and qualified Mountain LeaderNOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
• Personal hiking kit
• Personal travel insurance
***
All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)Please be aware of our Participation Statement and Terms & Conditions prior to joining
