AN INTREPID Lake District five-year-old followed in her adventurous father’s footsteps when she tackled one of Europe’s most iconic mountains - and she took the hard route.

Freya, daughter of the famous adventurer Leo Houlding, of Staveley, climbed the whole 2,864m and walked 40km of Slovenia’s highest peak, Triglav, without once needing to be carried by her parents.

The daring family outing, where Leo and Freya were also accompanied by mum Jessica and 22-month-old Jackson, even included the ‘Skozi Rizo’ death path variation, which saw the brave five-year-old ascend the mountain in exposed conditions described by her father as “a bit hairy”.

“Freya absolutely loved it,” Leo said. “She enjoyed the really technical parts most of all. I was not surprised as Freya is really strong for a five-year-old, and we do a lot of walking on the fells at home.

“She didn’t moan at all, which most kids would do. I am extremely proud of her.

“Triglav is a mountain nearly everybody in Slovenia climbs at some point, so she is probably not the first person her age to do it.

“But she did it unaided and even the hardcore Slovenian climbers at the summit were very impressed.”

The family took a path known as the Seven Lakes route, and stayed in mountain huts during the four-day trek. Jackson made the journey in a specially-made harness which attached him to his mum Jessica.

“Jackson and Freya both enjoyed it,” Leo added. “But when we got to the bottom, Freya did say she didn’t want to do any more walking on the holiday!”

The family are already planning their next trip, in France.