The Great Cloud Walker Challenge
Hike, Abseil and Paddle In the Land of the Green Knight
A Challenging Adventure Through the Peak District
By paddle, by foot and by rope, conquer the Legend of the Green Knight
The Roaches, located in the south Peak District, a stone’s throw from Leek is an enigmatic, beguiling wonder, sculpted by the elements over thousands of years. It is equally dramatic in landscape and medieval legend. From water dwellings and jagged high ridge outcrops to ancient forest and holy Arthurian chasms, this is a place that warrants exploration.
The Green Knight challenged anyone who dared, to strike him with his own axe, on the condition that the challenger finds him in the Green Chapel to receive a blow in return. Sir Gawain (King Arthur’s nephew) rose up. The Green Knight’s head fell to the floor, and to everyone’s amazement, he picked it up and left the room.
Exactly one year and a day later Sir Gawain branded his axe, honouring his duty. The Green Knight struck with all his might, and left nothing but a scratch on the fair knight’s neck. Sir Gawain survived, as has the tale of the Green Knight and Chapel.
You’ll wander in the footsteps of Sir Gawain, come face to face with mermaids of the Doxey Pool, walk on clouds and become a legend in your own right.
For charity events
The Great Cloud Walker Challenge is ideal for charity events. It’s a tailor-made challenge, so people are often more likely to donate for your cause. As with all of our charity challenges, the event will be privately run by us, so your charitable cause takes centre-stage. You can open up the event to others if you’d prefer. Just let us know when you book your challenge.
Your day starts at the stunning Tittesworth Reservoir. Like King Arthur and his noble Knights of the Round Table, you’ll have to work together for your first challenge; a thrilling race across the reservoir. Teamwork and a hefty paddle is your best chance to making it across in good time and great form.
You can choose to either paddle canoes or for a more challenging event you can build rafts and race these across. If you choose to raft build instead of canoe, the length of the walk needs to be reduced by 5km and you will need to let us know that you’d prefer this option when booking.
From the shallows of Tittesworth Reservoir, we’ll carry on by foot across the vast, rolling hills of the Peak District, where the Hen Clouds dominate the skyline. This is no easy endeavour, the only way forward is to head up.
Gain a great ridge line and walk amongst the jagged gritstone outcrops, sculpted with curious formations like the Bawdstone boulder, mythically known to have healing powers. Touch it for luck, or for the intrepid, scoot underneath to get the ‘devil off your back’. You may need it! Your next challenge is just ahead on the razor edge cliff tops and sheer drops of the Roaches.
We’ll attempt to dodge the infamous Doxey Pools. Legend has it, if you stare into the icy shimmer of the pools for even just a moment, you’ll be pulled into it by fierce mermaids. The only way out is via an abseil of epic proportions.
You’ll rappel down a sheer cliff face, using only a rope to guide the way. This is a challenge fit for a knight of Arthurian calibre. Will you sidestep the mermaids’ wrath?
The sacred land of the Roaches, leads into the Back Forest; home to ancient English woodland, a babbling brook and a harrowing tale of bravery.
Once you step into the woods, the wind dwindles, all becomes quiet and the only sound to be heard is the flow of Black Brook. It is enchanting. Hidden is a primordial chasm, a ravine, 50ft high, 200ft long carved into hillside. Moss and lichen cover the walls, a dim echo runs throughout, it is utterly magnificent in its natural grandeur. It is, The Green Chapel.
Prices
| Number of People | Price per Person | Book Now |
|---|---|---|
| 10-20 people (private guided) |
£135 | BOOK NOW |
| 21-40 people (private guided) |
£99 | BOOK NOW |
| 41 or more people (private guided) |
£89 | BOOK NOW |
Included
- Exceptional event organisation (please see our 600+ 5* reviews)
- Full support, guidance and expertise from planning stages through to the end of your event
- All equipment for canoeing and abseiling
- An excellent ratio of guides and instructors
- Full public and product liability insurance
- Detailed risk assessments for every activity we run
- Fully qualified and experienced instructors
- Adventurous Activities Association License (AALA License)
- Fully bonded tour operator
Location
The challenge starts near The Roaches, close to Leek, Buxton, Manchester, Macclesfield, Stoke-on-Trent and Chapel-en-le-Frith.