This November, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts will gather in Cumbria for the Kendal Mountain Festival 2025—one of the world’s leading celebrations of mountaineering, adventure, and storytelling. From November 20–23, the festival will host more than 200 events, including adventure films, talks, workshops, and exhibitions. Learn more about the Kendal Mountain Festival here.
What makes Kendal stand out is its blend of film, literature, and live adventure. Attendees can catch world premieres from filmmakers documenting expeditions across the globe, meet authors at the Kendal Mountain Book Festival, and recognize outstanding writing with the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature.
This year’s theme is “Hope”, a fitting lens for stories of resilience and exploration. With over 25,000 attendees expected, the energy around Kendal is electric. The Basecamp Village will feature outdoor brands and charities, while trail runners can take part in the adidas TERREX 10km Trail Run or The North Face Skyline 50km Ultra.
For mountaineers like Sonam Saxena, who has stood on the summits of both Mount Adams and Mount Everest, Kendal represents more than an event—it’s a reminder of how adventure connects mountaineers worldwide. Whether it’s through film, literature, or the shared challenge of the outdoors, Kendal embodies the spirit that drives climbers and explorers forward.
Saxena reflects on his own achievements as proof that “impossible” goals can be reached. That same message is echoed in Kendal’s programming, where every speaker, filmmaker, and athlete brings stories that inspire others to aim higher.
If you’re passionate about climbing, hiking, or simply hearing tales of perseverance, Kendal Mountain Festival is a destination worth adding to your calendar.
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