11:00
£55-£60
Age 18 & over
KMF24 has a brand new look - it's going to be glorious! You won't want to miss it.
Keswick Mountain Festival delivers a wonderfully immersive experience with an emphasis on outdoor sports, activities, live music, inspirational speakers, and an incredible array of outdoor brands plus top-notch food and drink stalls.
In 2024 there's a bigger schedule of sporting events and outdoor activities, including a new adventure race, revised mountain run, two new hikes, a local schools’ duathlon, trail runs once again from 5K to 50K, open water swims, two cycle sportive routes (one of which is new), and three hiking events (two of which are new).
For the hikers, the ever-popular Keswick 3 Peaks Challenge will be led out by 3 Dads Walking as a fundraiser for the suicide prevention charity, Papyrus.
This event is part of Keswick Mountain Festival.
Vacant Weekend | Steel Foxes | Bossyking | Foxtrap | The Northern Threads | State of Satta | Delagrave | Thieving Magpies
Joel Gardner | Clara Pople | Hang Dimension | Ewan Scarlett | Stoney Broke | Jordan Worsfold | J Lewis | Chloe Jane Hirst | Open Folk Session
Each of these stages will see a showcase of incredibly talented, local music acts. Importantly, having two stages will also enable a more continuous live music experience to be delivered from early afternoon till dusk, plus offer protection against any adverse Cumbrian weather. And for the first time, there will also be live music during the day on Sunday at the Band Stand which will be located in the heart of the reimagined food and drink zone.
So, expect chilled out vibes and acoustic sets there, while you unwind after your sporting exertions. Or if you’re feeling the adrenaline, head into the Big Top for some electric performances.
Chrissie Wellington | 3 Dads Walking | Timmy Mallet | Sean Conway | Louise Minchin | James Forrest | Cameron McNeish | Jamie Aarons | Nicky Spinks | Alan Hinkes | Black Trail Runners | Alastair Humphreys | and more
Not only will 3 Dads Walking be leading out the Keswick 3 Peaks Hike, they will also feature in an enhanced, packed programme of speakers which will take place both on Crow Park and in Theatre by the Lake.
Inspiring speakers who will keep you thoroughly entertained over the weekend include Timmy Mallett, Louise Minchin, Sean Conway, Chrissie Wellington, Mel Nicholls, Cameron McNeish, Alan Hinkes, James Forrest, Jamie Aarons, Nicky Spinks, Alastair Humphries, and Black Trail Runners. And that’s not all! There will be more compelling headline speakers added in the coming months.
Pump track | Axe Throwing | Caving | Bike Stunt Show | Orienteering | Maze | Climbing Wall | Canoeing | Segway | Standup Paddleboarding | Army Assault Course | Birds of Prey | Treasure Hunt | Yoga | Balance Bike Racing
Party Games | Boules | Space Hopper Racing | Hoopla | Bean Bag Toss | Giant Connect 4 | Giant Jenga | Giant Skittle Alley | Giant Tin Can Alley
Outdoor and Travel Brands Expo | Food and Drink Stalls | Exhibitors
So, if you live in the area, come on down. There is going to be plenty to keep you entertained. Why not have a go at axe throwing, space hopper racing, or even get up close to birds of prey? And there'll be more outdoor and travel brands such as adidas, Acai Outdoorwear, and Craghoppers who will be offering unique festival activities, as well as showcasing their marvellous merch.
Lakeside
Lake Road
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5DJ
UK
Keswick is located in the heart of the Lake District and is the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the UK. Keswick is very accessible by all means of transport, meaning that you can consider the environment when planning your route to Keswick Mountain Festival.
The KMF campsite is located at Springs Farm, Springs Road, Keswick CA12 4AN, only a 15 minute walk away from the Festival Village on Crow Park.
Camping is the best way to enjoy the festival, getting back to nature and sleeping in the fields, wake up to the view of Skiddaw – it doesn’t get much better. Facilities include showers, toilets, cafe serving hot food/drinks every day. Tents only, no campervans/motorhomes.
A weekend camping ticket includes 3 nights camping from 10am Thursday to 5pm Sunday and a car parking space.
From the M6 (traveling both North or South) take Junction 40 at Penrith for the North Lakes. From J40, follow the A66 West for approximately 17 miles to Keswick.
With a timetable, and a little planning, you can reach Keswick Mountain Festival and many other beautiful Lake District places by bus. If you are a walker, you can use the bus to complete a linear walk without the necessity of having to return to where you left the car.
These are the services to consider:
Penrith, Carlisle and Kendal (via Oxenholme) are served by the West Coast Main Line – a fast, frequent and easily accessible service from all over the country. The nearest railway station to Keswick is Penrith, a distance of 17 miles. A bus service (journey of approx 40 minutes) connects Penrith railway station with Keswick Bus Station. Alternatively you can pre-book a taxi from Penrith train station to Keswick.
The historic Settle to Carlisle line brings passengers from Yorkshire via the Eden Valley.
The West Coast line is operated by Virgin Trains.
Manchester Airport and Newcastle Airport both offer convenient access to the North of the UK. Manchester serves more domestic destinations than any UK airport which, together with its first class road and rail link make it an ideal gateway to Cumbria.
Manchester Airport has its own railway station, with direct links to Oxenholme – the Lake District, Kendal, Windermere and the West Coast Main Line. Newcastle Airport also has good road links to Cumbria and the Lake District.
If you’re looking for more than a 10km trail run but not quite up for the 50km ultra marathon, then try this 25km option which is just slightly over the half marathon distance.
The Festival Village is located adjacent to The Theatre By The Lake close to Derwentwater. Find the start line in the heart of the village.
The 25km route starts from inside Crow Park, heading directly out of the festival site, it then runs through the car park and into Cockshot Woods before crossing the road within 700m of the start. The road crossing takes you into Castle Crag Woods and then into Great Wood, taking the very European-like trails to run under Falcon Crag on the uber-technical rocky single track and to the 1st checkpoint of the race.
You’re then into the Watendlath Valley, stunned by this hidden gem and its amazing single track you will then climb out over Grange Fell and descend the fast and furious pack house trail to the Rosthwaite Institute to your 2nd checkpoint of the day.
Watered and fed by expert marshals, you will then head north down Borrowdale arriving at the next checkpoint/drinks station at Hawes End. From here you run the lake shore paths until Portinscale is reached and head back into Keswick via the Bob Graham Round finish.
Once on the streets of Keswick you will be quickly directed by marshals to the finishing straights around the back of Crow Park to your glory finish back at the Festival site.
The 25km is full of surprises, giving you some of the best trails and views the Borrowdale Valley has to offer. A must for the avid trail runner!
The 25K has a road crossing within 700m of the race start and whilst we know this is not ideal, its not possible to get you from the events centre start location to the superb trails of Great Woods and under Falcon Crag’s without this road crossing.
To improve your enjoyment of the race, there is a staggered start, allowing runners to set off in waves.
This system means similar speed runners are grouped together meaning you all have a great race on your hands!
There are 5 waves to start. This is done by you estimating your completion time.
If you haven’t done the route before it is a very technical race in the first half and less so in the second, this means you might need to adjust your ‘normal 25k’ time by a little. There is also 800m of ascent in the course, please take this into account.
You will be given the option of choosing your wave at the point of entry, please make sure you choose the most applicable wave for your ability.
Overtaking is possible from Castle Head Wood, into Springs Farm and then Great Woods (early in the race), the track under Falcon Crags (the very technical track) is not an easy option for overtaking, but once clear of that you can easily overtake in and beyond the Watendlath valley, after checkpoint 1.
You must comply with the kit list below and carry this with you on the day of the race.
The race director and KMF reserve the right to ask you to carry more clothing on the day of the race, depending on the weather conditions. This will be detailed to your via email in the run up to the race.
KMF is on a mission to do some good. A mission to make the festival more sustainable, accessible, inclusive and diverse, as well delivering a positive impact for the people of Keswick.
Alongside National Trust, the charity partner, a new sustainable legacy project with Fix the Fells. Everyone who is coming to the Festival is invited to help on that journey. The aim is to raise £10,000 per year, which will cover the annual cost for the Catbells conservation work. You’ll be able to donate at checkout on the website when buying your tickets. Please do so if you can. Catbells provides the stunning festival backdrop and helping to preserve this national, natural treasure is a wonderful thing to be part of.
The Festival works with venues and stakeholders in Keswick, to integrate aspects of the festival into the town, especially the evening programme. So, when the live music stops on Crow Park at 9:00pm on the Friday and Saturday, the ‘after party’ can continue in restaurants and bars throughout Keswick, boosting the benefits for the local economy.
Your athlete guide will be emailed to you approximately 2 weeks before the event date.
Early bird entry fee
£55.00
Valid to 31/01/2024
Entry fee
£60.00
Valid from 31/01/2024
Had a ball. Thank you all. Be there next year. Yipeeeee. Jenny
We had an absolute blast this weekend. So well organised, friendly people, amazing setting, just perfect thank you. Yoga
Such a great festival, superbly organised - wonderful atmosphere. Joanne
Had an awesome weekend - already looking forward to the next. Thanks to all involved. James
Awesome event! Will definitely be back. Joanne
We met lots of lovely people in a beautiful part of the world. We did the Back O Skiddaw which was clearly marked and marshalled with the medic man just around the corner. Thank you. Eugenia
Our first Keswick Mountain Festival and we all had a fab weekend! Thank you! Claire
It's been worth the wait, BRILLIANT weekend. Rick
Brilliant festival. Thank you! Campsite was great and point to point swim really well organised. Carl
Had a fab time, thank you! See you next year! Sue
A message from the Festival Director:
It was a big call to take a break from the full multi-sport festival, but it gave us the ideal opportunity to take a deep look at what we want this event to be in the longer term. Keswick Mountain Festival is very special to us and to many of you who share our love of this wonderful part of the world and the outdoors in general. We took the time to reflect on all of that and on the changing nature of big events.
There are now new and very different challenges involved in delivering a festival like ours in a responsible and sustainable way. We’re really excited about how we’re tackling those head on, in a way that still offers all of the aspects that our regular visitors tell us they love so much, and more. It’s going to be a vibrant, multi-faceted and inclusive event for everyone, and we can’t wait to welcome you all back in May. Nicola Meadley
13:00
£20-£42.50
Age 10 & over
09:00
£47.50-£52.50
Age 18 & over
06:00
£70-£75
Age 18 & over
16:30
£37.50-£42.50
Age 18 & over
08:45
£155-£160
Age 18 & over
08:00
£32.50-£97.50
Age 15 & over
14:00
£20-£47.50
Age 12 & over
18:30
£45-£50
Age 18 & over
08:30
£60-£65
Age 18 & over
08:30
£50-£95
Age 18 & over
07:30
£20-£50
Age 12 & over
06:30
£55-£60
Age 18 & over
08:30
£20-£45
Age 12 & over
16:00
£10-£40
All ages