25K in a Day Trek | Rethink Mental Illness

Fitness level

This challenge walk has been designed as an introduction to longer distance trekking and you will be walking along undulating coastline of the Jurassic Coast. There are ascents and descents on uneven terrain and the trek should take you around 8.5 hours to complete.

Weather conditions can be a major influence on this trek as well giving it’s coastal location, strong sea breezes can be a factor. However, training, preparation, quality kit and a good dose of gritty determination and endurance will see you get the most enjoyment and reward from this event.

Plus your friends or family can join you or meet you along the route at the checkpoints and finish line.

Training

A bespoke trek training programme will be provided when you sign up, along with an online Training and Preparation page. The more you are prepared, the more you will enjoy the challenge.

Event HQ

Worth Matravers
Swanage
Dorset
BH19
UK

Starting west of Swanage in the Worth Matravers village, Dorset, your journey by foot takes in breathtaking views from St Aldhelm’s Head along the final stretch of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and what is actually the last leg of the 630 mile South West Coast Path.

Passing along the promenade of the seaside town of Swanage before trekking through open grassland and woodland around Studland, keep a look out for bottlenose dolphins and take time to enjoy the beautiful seasonal wildflowers and butterflies and the spectacular views of the chalk stacks of Old Harry.

Three miles of sandy beaches running all the way to South Haven Point offer plenty of opportunities to take in the views across Poole Bay to Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. Just before the ferry to Sandbanks a steel sculpture marks the end of your 25K trekking journey and the end of the South West Coast Path.

You will be accompanied by walking leaders and there will be welcomed checkpoints with snacks and drink refills available. 

This challenge is delivered in a responsible and ethical manner with sustainable development at its core. This challenge respects and aims to benefit local people, their economy and the environment.

Some of the responsible tourism features embedded in the 25K in One Day for Rethink Mental Illness are:

• Operating with small groups which have less impact on local communities and the environment to give a more authentic experience
• Using local crew who are qualified leaders and extremely experienced, passionate and knowledgeable
• Not using any single use plastic; refill water bottles and flasks to avoid the need to purchase bottled water
• Staying in locally owned accommodation wherever possible
• The lunches and checkpoint snacks are provided by a local cafe in order to  support the local community
• Encouraging suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices and also choose suppliers who already have greener practices in place
• Encouraging you to travel to and from the South Coast via train to reduce carbon emissions
• Not using any route markers which are often made from plastic based products and non-biodegradable
• Where possible, leaders collect any rubbish on route
• Recycling and reusing wherever possible
• Always operating a ‘leave no trace ethos’; take nothing but photos, leave nothing but boot-prints, keep nothing but memories

Included

• Professionally organised challenge event
• Free fundraising toolkit to help you smash your target
• Branded merchandise to help put the fun into fundraising
• Rethink t-shirt so you can proudly represent the charity
• Regular email updates with all the information you’ll need
• A friendly team to support you all the way
• Training and preparation zone
• Bespoke trek training programme
• Discounts for outdoor retailers
• Snacks stops, lunch stop and water
• Finish-line refreshments

Rethink Mental Illness

Challenging attitudes on mental health to help anyone affected by mental illness.

Rethink improves the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through its network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. Their goal is to make sure everyone severely affected by mental illness has a good quality of life.

Of money you raise £24 could help the Rethink Advice and Information line take a helpline call or £100 could help pay for the set up a local support group.

12-17 year olds would need to be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout.

Entry fees