Hike Skye's legendary Cuillin hills, indulge in some cracking good malt whisky and raise money for a good cause at the same time. That's the prospect for participants in the first ever Talisker Trek this May.

What's more, you'll get to meet two of Britain's top polar explorers - Tom Avery and Sir Ranulph Fiennes. The pair of them may have trekked to the Poles more times than most of us have been up Snowdon, but for once, you won't have to endure minus 50 degree C temperatures or battle with 300lb sleds to spend some time with them. The two Arctic veterans have teamed up with The Woodland Trust and Talisker malt whisky to arrange a weekend of maps, mountains, and campfires on the Isle of Skye … along with the odd drink or two.

From 5 to 7 May, teams of four hikers will be unleashed on the dramatic scenery of the Cuillins, navigating a series of checkpoints with a difference. Not only will each team's safe arrival be recorded at every post, they will also have the opportunity to indulge in a little tyre pulling and hammer throwing, Highland-style - who needs a sledge, when you've got a tyre to tug away at, anyway? Not only this, but anyone who's motivation is ebbing need only remember that their route leads straight to the Talisker distillery to get them going again.

Yes, Saturday evening's entertainment, after a hard day in the hills, will indeed include the chance to sample the only Scotch single malt whisky on the island. Not only that, but participants will be treated to a campfire on the beach, without having to embark on their own search for that elusive raw material - dry firewood in Scotland. And once everyone's toasting comfortably, with a warming, whisky feel in their stomach, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Tom Avery, and the manager of the Talisker distillery will deliver words of inspiration about their ventures through crevasses, rocks, ice and malt respectively.

Although a basic level of fitness and experience is necessary to tackle one of Britain's wildest regions, you don't by any means need to be a pro to take part. There will be people on hand to give less seasoned hikers some tips on navigation, and on the final pull to the distillery there will be a choice of easy, medium and difficult routes.

The main requirement - other than the mandatory sense of humour that applies to any outdoor venture - is a willingness to help The Woodland Trust preserve Britain's natural landscapes. Participants will have to raise £500 in sponsorship, and the money will contribute to the effort to plant an extra 250 000 trees in Britain in the next three years. The first few of these will be planted by the weekend's intrepid explorers themselves, on the final afternoon.

So, you get to indulge in rugged scenery, whisky, and the good old smug feeling that you're helping to conserve the areas that Saturdays are made for. Sound good? Check out www.taliskertrek.co.uk to see a roving OS map of Skye, and further details of the event and its polar-seasoned figureheads. The cut-off date for entries is 22nd March.