Old Man of Coniston and the Coppermines, on the route for the VIP-led walks

Walkers have the rare chance to join hikes led by two of mountaineering’s best known names this weekend.

Climber Leo Houlding and Everest summiteer Rebecca Stephens will take parties on to the fells as part of the Coniston Walking Festival. The head of the Lake District National Park will also lead a 10km (6-mile) walk.

Leo’s walk is being billed as an ‘extreme walk’, not suitable for young children. He’ll be leading his party to the top of the Old Man of Coniston via Goats Water, returning by the old miners’ route. The 28-year-old climber and mountaineer has free-climbed routes on El Capitan in the Yosemite national park, bouldered at 8,500m (28,000ft) on Everest, and taken part in the Altitude Everest Expedition retracing the steps of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine.

Rebecca Stephens will lead a walk around the Coniston Horseshoe, taking in the Old Man, Wetherlam, Great How and Swirl How. Rebecca was the first British woman to summit Everest. She has also climbed the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents. She too has followed in the footsteps of a famous historic figure, retracing Ernest Shackleton’s trek across South Georgia.

Both mountaineers will also present film lectures about their exploits.

Authority chief executive Richard Leafe is no stranger to VIPs on the mountains. Here, he talks (right) to Prince William at Red Tarn on Helvellyn

Lake District national park chief executive Richard Leafe again will lead the Coniston Classic. The six-mile hike takes in the Coppermines Valley, Levers Water and Pudding Stone, the area’s second largest glacial boulder.

Mr Leafe said he welcomed the chance to share such a special place with people who loved the great outdoors.

He said: “In its third year, Coniston Walking Festival is going from strength to strength and its goals of showing off an exceptional community and landscape are applauded and appreciated by the increasing numbers who support it.

“For me, it’s a privilege and pleasure to share my passion for the fells. It’s also a good chance to talk about our Vision for the national park, which is a prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences and vibrant communities, all sustaining the spectacular landscape.”

The festival will also include a re-enactment of the meeting of two Victorian luminaries John Ruskin and Charles Darwin in Coniston.

Details and costs of events are on the Coniston Walking Festival website.