The Peak District Ultra Challenge returns on 4 and 5 July 2026 with thousands of runners, walkers and trekkers expected to descend on Bakewell for another major endurance weekend in the Derbyshire hills. Part of the wider Ultra Challenge Series, the event has become one of the best known mass participation trail challenge weekends in the UK.

Organisers will once again base the event around the Bakewell showground hub, with routes ranging from a 10 mile option through to the full 100K challenge across the Peak District National Park. The longer figure of eight routes take participants through some of Derbyshire’s most recognisable scenery, including trails around Chatsworth House, open moorland, limestone valleys and tougher hill sections across the national park.

The event continues to stand out for its broad accessibility despite the demanding terrain. Participants can choose to walk, jog or run the routes, while shorter distance options provide an entry point for runners looking to move into trail and ultra distance events for the first time.

One of the biggest attractions for participants is the atmosphere around the Bakewell basecamp. Camping areas, recovery facilities, food stations and support hubs create a festival feel across the weekend, helping the challenge feel more like a large scale outdoor adventure gathering than a traditional race event.

The Peak District setting remains central to the event’s appeal. Fast flowing trails, tougher climbs and wide open views combine to give runners a constantly changing experience across the weekend, with many participants returning year after year to tackle longer distances.

Organisers are expecting another busy edition in 2026 as the Ultra Challenge Series continues to grow in popularity across the UK endurance community. Entries remain open across all distances ahead of the July return to Bakewell.

You can sign up for the event via Ultra Challenge here.

Image courtesy Ultra Challenge on Facebook.