When you book your hiking holiday with Walkers' Britain, £2.50 is donated to one of our regenerative travel projects via the World Expeditions Foundation. In the UK, we are supporting the Skiddaw Reforestation Project lead by the Skiddaw Wildlife Trust. 

 

It is a privilege to walk through Skiddaw Forest, one of the few nature-rich areas in the UK. The landscape tells a story of hope and regeneration. Tucked away in the heart of the Lake District, this wild and remote valley is the focus of a ground-breaking restoration project that’s bringing nature back to life. 

 

The project is lead by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and with your help, we’re proud to support this incredible work. You have a chance to walk through it on our Cumbria Way walking holidays. 

These are unforgettable journeys through some of England’s most iconic scenery, and Skiddaw Forest is a true highlight. With every step, you’ll witness a landscape in recovery: native trees returning, peatlands rewetting, wildlife slowly reclaiming its home.

 

Skiddaw Forest is a remote and ecologically rich upland landscape located in the heart of the Lake District National Park. Despite its name, it is largely treeless today. Spanning 3,000 acres and home to England’s third highest mountain, it includes areas designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This rugged terrain supports a mosaic of rare habitats—from upland heath and blanket bog to montane grassland—and hosts a wealth of wildlife, including golden plover, curlew, merlin, black grouse, and boreo-montane invertebrates. 

The land also contributes to two important river systems, the Caldew and Dash Beck, making it of national significance both ecologically and hydrologically.

 

 

What does the Skiddaw Forest Restoration Project involve?

Led by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the restoration of Skiddaw Forest aims to transform it into a thriving, self-sustaining wilderness. The vision is one of minimal human intervention, where nature is allowed to flourish through natural processes and rewilding. A key goal is to regenerate native woodland—particularly Atlantic rainforest—across 620 acres, using species such as sessile oak, birch, hazel, and rowan. Restoration will also focus on protecting and enhancing peatlands, vital for carbon storage and water regulation. Over time, this will support rich biodiversity, including iconic upland birds, rare plants like cloudberry and dwarf willow, and reclusive mammals such as pine martens.

The work will span decades and be guided by the principles of large-scale ecological connectivity, aligning with the Lawton Review’s call for “bigger, better and more joined-up” habitats. By restoring natural processes and encouraging a diverse mix of habitats, the project seeks not only to revive rare species but also to inspire future generations, improve public access to nature, and boost human well-being. Skiddaw Forest is set to become a beacon of montane habitat restoration, with ripple effects across surrounding landscapes and neighbouring landowners.

 

 

How can you support this unique landscape in Cumbria?

When booking with Walkers' Britain, the UK-based company donates £2.50 per person to the World Expeditions Foundation. The project that the foundation supports in the UK is the Skiddaw Forest Restoration Project. There are various ways for you to support:

• Book your hiking holiday with us and the company donates £2.50 to the project
• During your booking process, add an extra donation on top of this - 100% of donation goes to the project
• Visit the project on the World Expeditions Foundation website and make your donation there.

Visit the Skiddaw Forest on your Cumbria Way walking holiday in England or read more about the project on the Cumbria Wildlife Trust website.