HIGHLANDER, the world’s fastest growing and largest long-distance hiking event series, on Sunday concluded its highly anticipated inaugural UK event in the stunning surroundings of the Lake District.

The event, held from the 5th to the 9th of July, saw impressive attendance in what was its inaugural year - helping HIGHLANDER grow its presence to over 10,000 participants globally – as hikers from the United Kingdom, Latvia, the UAE, the Maldives, Croatia, Portugal, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia and the United States of America embraced the challenges and natural beauty of the region.

Founded in Croatia in 2017 when a couple of enthusiasts decided to share their love and passion for long-distance hiking, HIGHLANDER has grown to become a worldwide long-distance hiking event series, hosting more than 50 events across 15 different countries, all with the mission of helping people further immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Lake District, HIGHLANDER’s first UK series was divided into two formats: HIGHLANDER Hercules, a 99-kilometre, five-day journey and HIGHLANDER Pegasus, a 56-kilometre, three-day journey. The one-of-a-kind experience is designed to enable individuals to connect with nature, whilst conquering both physical and mental obstacles, all the while forging long-lasting relationships with like-minded people.

As well as enjoying a hiking adventure, HIGHLANDER participants had the option to immerse themselves in the festival vibe of the event by joining an inspiring programme of activities.

“We’re pleased with the strong appeal seen for our inaugural UK event”, said HIGHLANDER CEO, Jurica Barac.

He added: “The enthusiasm, determination and camaraderie displayed by the participants was truly inspiring. It was a privilege to witness individuals pushing their limits, cheering each other on and embracing the spirit of adventure amidst the extraordinary natural beauty of the Lake District. I’m already looking forward to coming back to the Lake District next year to build on the success of this year’s event.”

The success of HIGHLANDER Adventure’s inaugural UK event can be attributed to the astonishing beauty of the Lake District and the unforgettable hiking route which included popular places like Great Langdale and Borrowdale, the stunning sights of Ullswater and Aira Force waterfall, as well as the Wainwright Fells of Fairfield, High Raise and Steel Fell to name a few.

The event also ran in partnership with DIRT Charity, an independent charitable organisation working globally to turn fashion into a climate solution founded by renowned American model and sustainability consultant, Arizona Muse. Seeking to aid the fundraising efforts of the Demeter Biodynamic Farming Movement, HIGHLANDER pledged to donate £1 for each kilometre hiked in totally during its Hercules format.

As HIGHLANDER continues to expand its portfolio of events and locations, the company remains dedicated to abiding by the “Leave No Trace” and “Erase the Trace” philosophies, sustainability at the forefront of all its events, participants educated on how to effectively preserve nature.

Alongside plans to build on the success of its first ever UK event series to return to the Lake District next summer, HIGHLANDER has upcoming events later this year in Croatia, the United States, Italy, North Macedonia, Spain, Slovenia, and Georgia, and the ambition is to expand its reach to seven new countries through 2024.

Registration is already open for HIGHLANDER Lake District 2024, taking place from 3^rd – 7^th July. Register now: https://highlanderadventure.com/en-us/lake-district