Macmillan Mighty Hikes, the cancer charity’s iconic hiking series, is back for 2026 and aiming to raise more than ever before to help fund Macmillan’s vital range of support services for people living with cancer.
Mighty Hikes are a series of one-day half and full marathon fundraising hikes, running from May through to September in some of the most beautiful parts of the UK.
This year, Macmillan Mighty Hikes will take place in 12 stunning locations across all four UK nations, including the beautiful Gower Peninsula, Rob Roy, Giant’s Causeway and the series’ oldest hike along the South Coast.
Last year, 27,900 Mighty Hikers walked more than 13 million miles and raised a record-breaking £14.5 million to mark the series 10th anniversary. Since 2015, the series has raised an incredible £85 million to support people living with cancer.
Richard Martin, from Hythe in Hampshire has completed 13 hikes ranging from the Norfolk Coast to the Gower Peninsula, having decided to fundraise for Macmillan in memory of his dad and his sister. A long-term supporter of Macmillan, Richard has already signed up for the Yorkshire Dales Mighty Hike later this year.
“I lost both my Dad and Sister to cancer so this has led to me being a long-term supporter and volunteer for Macmillan. I am a keen walker so being able to combine walking and fundraising for Macmillan is amazing.
“I completed the Gower Peninsula Mighty Hike for a second time this year and chose the Norfolk Coast Mighty Hike because I hadn’t completed it before and I love coastal walks – this one didn’t disappoint. There’s nothing like being with so many like-minded people when you take part in a Mighty Hike, it truly is inspiring.”
This year, Macmillan is calling on people across the UK to take on one of its 12 events. With the number of people living with cancer in the UK now at almost 3.5 millioni – the highest figure ever reported – every penny raised by Mighty Hikers will help Macmillan do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer, whoever and wherever they are.
Lauren McEvoy, Mighty Hike Team Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, says:
“We’re extremely grateful to all our incredible supporters who embraced the challenge of hiking a full or half marathon Macmillan Mighty Hike last year. Together they raised the highest figure ever achieved by our Mighty Hikes fundraising series. Every penny raised helps us to do more for people living with cancer, and will support our vital work to make cancer care fairer -so that everyone, no matter who they are or where they live can get the best possible care that the UK has to offer.”
“We can’t wait to be back in some of the UK’s most beautiful locations, stepping out together for people living with cancer. We’d love to see as many of you there as possible.”
Where does the money go?
Macmillan is almost entirely funded by generous public donations, and the vital funds raised through Mighty Hikes will help the charity to continue doing whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. Every pound raised can make a huge difference to the lives of people living with cancer:
· £161 – could provide emotional support to one person living with cancer for around eight weeks, through regular support sessions with one of our Macmillan Buddiesii
· £294 – could pay for a Macmillan Information and Support Manager for one day, giving people living with cancer the opportunity to ask questions and talk through their concerns at one of our Macmillan Information and Support Centresiii
· £500 – could pay for a Macmillan Professional to attend an advanced course in pain symptom control, to help provide better advice to people with cancer on how to manage their symptoms and deal with the pain caused by treatmentiv
· £1,437 – could pay for a Macmillan Nurse for one week, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional supportv
How can people get involved?
Join thousands of hikers and take on a Mighty Hike challenge for people living with cancer in 2026 by visiting macmillan.org.uk/mightyhikes
Choose from 12 Mighty Hikes, either a full or half marathon, across some of the UK’s most breath-taking landscapes.
All participants will receive the following as part of the registration fee:
· A free Macmillan hiking t-shirt
· A clearly marked route with expert mountain leaders
· Regular refueling stops with plenty of snacks and refreshments
· Medical assistance
· Free professional photos to remember the incredible achievement
· A fresh buffet lunch, plus a hot meal to finish if doing the full marathon
· A Mighty medal and complimentary drink to celebrate crossing the finish
All Mighty Hikers can visit the Macmillan website for effective fundraising ideas, as well as some top tips to prepare and train for the event.
Fundraisers can also join a private Facebook group for their event to meet their teammates and to get fundraising and training advice from Mighty Hikers old and new.
