Edinburgh 7 Summits Challenge

Ability level

This challenge is graded as tough.

It is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, who have taken part in other walking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more extreme environment.

You can tell your supporters that on your Edinburgh 7 Summits Challenge you will be:

• Covering a distance of approx. 35km
• Taking on varied terrain, from footpaths to urban roads
• Completing the steep ascent to the summit of Arthur’s Seat
• Ascending over 900m across the whole route

Training

It's a long, sustained event of up to 10 hours on varied terrain.

Therefore, it requires a good level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or walking in your local area are good places to start.

Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in. The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Fitness training notes nd advice are provided when you sign up.

Event HQ

Waverley station
42 Saint Andrew Square
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH2 2AD
UK

Meeting point

The MS Superstars will meet in the centre of Edinburgh near Waverley Station.

Public transport

Edinburgh is very well served by trains and flights from all around the UK. All participants are encouraged to use public transport where possible.

Parking

If you are driving, then parking near the start/finish point can be very limited.

It's a high quality route that incorporates major landmarks and undiscovered highlights.

Route description

• It will be an early start, with registration and a safety briefing at 6:30am before the challenge begins at 7am.
• Your first summit of the day will be Castle Rock, a volcanic plug on which Edinburgh Castle sits.

• After a stretch along waterways and canals you reach summit two (Corstorphine Hill), from here you will join the Union Canal before heading up the steps to the third summit (Craiglockhart Hill East).

• From here the route heads to it’s most southern point at the top of Braid Hill, your fourth summit. Your views from here will take in the entire route, and framed in the centre of your view will be Edinburgh castle, dominating the horizon
• Your next stop will be Blackford Hill and the Royal Observatory (summit five).
• You then head westwards towards the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat that sits perched, overlooking the entire city.

• After the steep ascent to the top of summit six, you will be glad of the welcome gradual descent down to the palace of Holyrood. 
• After stopping for photos at the palace gates there is the final summit of Calton Hill where you will get to celebrate with incredible views along Princes Street, Edinburgh’s old town and the castle.

Map

Sustainability summary

• The challenge organisers are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism.
• Leaders care passionately for the environment and will be keen to talk to you about how you can do your bit to conserve the local area and enhance your experience. Acting responsibly adds to the enjoyment of the challenge.
• All participants are encouraged to support local businesses by spending extra time in the local area, booking overnight accommodation or going out for a meal in one of the excellent local pubs after the challenge.

Before you go

• 12.5% off Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, and Runners Need
• Sponsorship forms
• Support materials (itinerary, kit list, fact file, Q&As, health notes, travel tips, responsible travel policy and guidance)
• Fundraising advice
• A-Z of fundraising ideas
• Fitness training notes
• Risk assessment and emergency management planning
• Safety management systems
• Public liability insurance

On your challenge

• Fully supported walking challenge
• Checkpoints, walking leaders and support vehicle
• Drinks and snacks available throughout the day
• Packed lunch and drinks
• Medal at the finish

Walking leaders

The very best leaders, who are fully qualified, highly experienced, knowledgeable and fun. They will do everything to help you complete the challenge and have a great time doing it.

From the MS Society

• Fundraising advice and support
• Designated fundraiser to answer your questions and give support
• Orange MS Society t-shirt and fundraiser pack
• Celebratory breakfast when you complete the hike

Not Included

• Accommodation

The sooner you sign up the sooner the team can start supporting you on your journey!

Fundraising target

The fundraising target is £295 however if you choose to self fund you are encouraged to raise as much as you can for the MS Society, ie there's no target.

MS Society

Your registration fee helps cover the cost of putting on the challenge, but unfortunately it won’t stop MS alone. That’s where you come in. You are needed to raise as much money as possible for vital MS research.

Fundraising tips

Here are a few simple steps to get started:

• Set up a JustGiving page.
• Setting up a JustGiving page is the quickest and easiest way to kick-start your fundraising. You can set up an individual page or a team page and all fundraise together.
• Personalise your fundraising page with pictures, updates and your reason for walking. You’re joining an incredible community of MS Superstars from across the country and your story may inspire someone else to get involved or donate.
• To get started, go to the MS Society JustGiving page.
• Share it with everyone.
• Now that your Just Giving page is up and running, make sure you let everyone know about it. Ask people to donate to your page or get them to join the challenge and do the walk with you. The more people you talk to, the bigger your fundraising amount will be.

Self fund option

• Pay a non-refundable registration fee of £45.00 when you book.
• Then a balance of £110.00 (9 weeks before your challenge).
• Raise as much as you can for the MS Society.
  
  

Entry fees

Multi Award-winning

This challenge is organised by a multi-award winning challenge events specialist with over two decades of professional experience organising and leading challenges worldwide.