The Forest of Bowland has miles of remote upland terrain in which to practise navigation

Mountain rescuers have thrown down a challenge to hillwalkers.

The Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, based in Lancashire, is looking for teams of walkers for its ten-hour challenge, which will test the fitness and navigation skills of walkers and runners.

The Bowland Challenge takes place in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Organisers say the event could be treated as training for a mountain marathon or simply a good day’s walk.

The idea is to visit as many waypoints as possible and answer questions about the location, earning points at each one. Incorrect answers will mean competitors lose points. Up to 100 grid reference points can be taken in and questions might range from the name of a gate manufacturer, to the date of a building’s origin to the number of rungs on a ladder stile, all of which can be answered by locating the waypoints.

Teams of between two and six adults can enter and it will be a true test of map and compass skills – GPS devices are banned.

All proceeds from the event will go to the mountain rescue team.

The challenge takes place on Saturday 18 July, with overnight camping for runners and walkers on the Friday night beforehand and on Saturday night. Unlike most mountain marathons, camping gear does not need to be carried on the route, so daypacks are all that are needed.

Maps will be provided by the organisers, and teams will have Friday night to plan their route to best gain the most points. There is no set walking distance and how competitors spend their ten hours is their own decision.

Details of the event along with an entry form are on the Bowland Challenge website.