Challenging

Challenging treks: 8-week plan

For: High passes, snow or very long days: Auden’s Col, Kalindi Khal, Bali Pass.
Goal: Finish the difficult plan, pass your trek organiser’s fitness test, and carry trek weight for two hard days in a row.
Before you start: Start three months or more ahead: 4 weeks of the moderate plan (weeks 5–8), then these 8 weeks. Plan around your organiser’s fitness test.

WeekCardio · 3 daysStairs or hills · 1 dayLoaded walk · 1 day
Week1Cardio · 3 daysJog 5 kmStairs or hills · 1 day35 min of stairs, 8 kgLoaded walk · 1 day4 hours, 9 kg, with climbs
Week2Cardio · 3 daysJog 5–6 kmStairs or hills · 1 day40 min of stairs, 9 kgLoaded walk · 1 day5 hours, 10 kg
Week3Cardio · 3 daysJog 6 kmStairs or hills · 1 day45 min of stairs, 10 kgLoaded walk · 1 dayA local trek: 6 hours, trek weight
Week4Cardio · 3 daysJog 6–7 kmStairs or hills · 1 day45 min of stairs, 10 kg, fasterLoaded walk · 1 dayTwo loaded walks back to back, 4 hours each
Week5Cardio · 3 daysJog 7 kmStairs or hills · 1 day50 min of stairs, 10–12 kgLoaded walk · 1 dayA local trek: 7 hours, trek weight
Week6Cardio · 3 daysJog 7–8 kmStairs or hills · 1 day60 min of stairs, 12 kgLoaded walk · 1 dayTwo hard days back to back, 5–6 hours each
Week7Cardio · 3 daysJog 8 km, work on your timeStairs or hills · 1 day60 min of stairs, 12 kgLoaded walk · 1 dayA local trek: 7–8 hours, trek weight
Week8Cardio · 3 daysJog 5 km, then rest 2 days before you travelStairs or hills · 1 day20 min of stairs, easyLoaded walk · 1 day3 hours, trek weight

How the plan works

Train 5 days a week and rest the other 2. Add strength twice a week: squats, lunges, step-ups, calf raises and planks, 2 sets of 10–12.
Walk slowly for 5–10 minutes before and after every session.
Work hard enough to breathe harder but still talk. If a week feels too hard, repeat it.
The loaded walk matters most: wear your trek shoes and pack your trek bag.

Stop and see a doctor if you feel

Chest pain or tightness, dizziness, unusual breathlessness, a racing or irregular heartbeat, or extreme tiredness. If chest pain lasts more than a few minutes, call 112.

These plans are our rules of thumb, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor first if you have heart or lung disease, diabetes, or are over 65. Read the full fitness guide →

Challenging