Shirehike Weekend 2026

Join us in the beautiful Malvern Hills for Shirehike 2026 – a walking celebration for all sections of Scouting

We have routes suitable for all sections from Squirrel Scouts to Scout Network and beyond. Leaders know the capabilities of their young people better than anyone, so you are free to register for the route you feel is the most appropriate.

If you have members with additional needs please email with details and we will work with you to ensure that the routes below are suitable or provide a route that is suitable for your team of young people. We want everyone to be able to participate.

Longer Shirehike routes will have cut-off times at checkpoints along the way to ensure the safety and welfare of both participants and volunteer marshals.

Saturday will consist of our walks of 13KM or more with our 5KM and 8KM walks taking place on Sunday.

The event is open to all Scout Association members from across the UK.

You can choose from

• 5KM – Herefordshire Beacon Challenge – Sunday
• 8KM – Millennium Challenge – Sunday
• 13KM – Worcestershire Beacon Challenge – Saturday
• 20KM – Shire Beacons Challenge – Saturday
• 28KM – Malvern Hills Challenge – Saturday
• 35KM – Eastnor Challenge – Saturday

Leaders’ Guide

Please read the Leaders’ Guide here.
This contains information about the event including first aid, leader-to-young-person ratios, DBS requirements, car parking arrangements, food and drink, behaviour, kit list, trackers, dogs, photography and the Malvern Hills byelaws. Please read this before registering and ensure that the relevant information is passed on to parents and team members.

Why not make a weekend of it?

We have a lovely campsite only 15 mins away at Warren Oak and we will transfer you you to and from Shirehike HQ by minibus. You will need to provide a nights away permit holder, submit a NAN form and plan the camp as you normally would. Please tick the box on your registration form if you are planning to camp.

Registration

Deadline: Sunday 8th March, please sign up here 

Entry cost is £6 per participant including adult volunteers. Payment is via credit or debit card.

Emergency contact information and medical details must be given at registration, individual entries can be amended or swapped up until the event date. Payments should be considered non-refundable as per our cancellation policy.

Volunteer Marshals

The event cannot take place without a large number of volunteer marshals. If you are walking with young people on Sunday please consider volunteering on the Saturday and vice versa. You do not have to commit to volunteering for a whole day, equally if you want to make a weekend of it camping is available at Warren Oak.

Please sign up here, thank you.

Stand out from the crowd

Shirehike beanie hats are now available to keep your head warm,
please order your hat(s) here

Downloads

• Risk Assessment – Coming soon
• Leaders’ Guide
• Critical Incident Plan – Coming soon
• Team arrival, registration and start times – link will be published in March 2026

GPX files can be loaded into mapping apps such as OS Maps or All Trails, the GPX files are not essential to take part in Shirehike however please do ensure you have OS Maps installed on your phone and you are aware of how to use the ‘locate me’ functionality – you can do this without a paid subscription to OS.

• 5KM GPX File – Coming soon
• 8KM GPX File – Coming soon
• 13KM GPX File – Coming soon
• 20KM GPX File – Coming soon
• 28KM GPX File – Coming soon
• 35KM GPX File – Coming soon

Feedback

We would love to know what you thought of the event. Feedback, good and bad, will be used to influence future events. Please come back after the event and complete our 2026 feedback form. Thank you.