Contact us:
01969 663 838
info@muddybootswalkingholidays.com
01969 663 838
info@muddybootswalkingholidays.com
Explore the famous green pastures of bucolic Wensleydale and its beautiful tributary valleys before crossing one of Yorkshire’s highest mountains to reach the more remote valley of Swaledale, full of dry stone walls, field barns, waterfalls and sweeping views.
Much of this route takes in classic ‘Herriot Country’ and is our take on the well-known ‘Herriot Way’.
The route can be customised to suit your preferred daily distances, difficulty and pace. Contact us now for free advice.
Use the following itinerary for inspiration. Remember: all days, hotels and activities can be altered to suit your requirements. A Muddy Boots travel specialist will be happy to advise.
Arrive at your base in the small market town of Middleham and settle into a lovely townhouse hotel on the square. Spend any extra time exploring the village, spotting racehorses and visiting the impressive ruins of Middleham Castle. If you want to stretch your legs, try a short circuit down to the River Cover and along pretty ‘Cover Banks’.
A lovely towhnhouse hotel with a great, Fench influenced restaurant, set on the square in the centre of lively Middleham.
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Your first full day’s walking is a long and fairly challenging route but well worth the effort. From Middleham, spend the first part of your day enjoying the quiet paths of Coverdale. Stop for a well-earned lunch in the community pub in Carlton-in-Coverdale before heading over heather covered Carlton Moor, dropping into the dead-end valley of Walden and on to the picture-perfect village of West Burton in Bishopdale. A short final stretch takes you to your base for the next two nights in a popular inn close to famously beautiful Aysgarth Falls.
Included meals: Breakfast
A country inn and hotel, with cosy bar, excellent restaurant and large beer garden with views across Wensleydale, a short stroll from famous Aysgarth Falls.
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Continue your journey along Wensleydale, spending much of the day following the route of the River Ure upstream. As well as surprisingly quiet stretches along the banks of the river, you will take in the former Wensleydale railway line, the popular village of Askrigg (with several good lunch options!) and the beautiful Mill Gill and Whitfield Gill waterfalls. The final stretch of the route takes you across classic farming country (complete with plenty of stiles through dry stone walls!) offering gorgeous views up and down Wensleydale, before arriving at a pretty country house hotel for the night.
Included meals: Breakfast
A small country house hotel in a gorgeous setting with views over upper Wensleydale, not far from the market town of Hawes. Relax in the cosy lounges and large gardens and enjoy good food with a focus on local, seasonal produce.
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Head for the nearby village of Hardraw, where you can make a short detour to visit England’s highest single drop waterfall, before following the Pennine Way over Great Shunner Fell, Yorkshire’s third highest mountain. Drop down into the little village of Thwaite in Swaledale and get your first taste of the classic field barns and dry stone walls of upper Swaledale on the last section of your route to Keld.
Included meals: Breakfast
A former shooting lodge at the head of Swaledale above the remote little village of Keld with lovely views, a friendly bar and hearty meals.
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Your last full day’s walking is a real classic. Begin with the only climb of the day, up Kisdon Hill, which offers wonderful views down Swaledale as you descend into the pretty village of Muker. From here, the route tracks the upper reaches of the River Swale down the valley, through traditional hay meadows and charming villages before arriving at your base for your last night in a fantastic country pub with excellent food in the tiny village of Low Row.
Included meals: Breakfast
A 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel, great rooms and tasty food.
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Enjoy a last full breakfast at your inn before taking a taxi back to Middleham to collect your car and head home (or travelling back to the train station to catch your train).
Included meals: Breakfast
A charming townhouse hotel on the square in lively Middleham (night 1); a country inn and hotel, with excellent restaurant and large beer garden with views across Wensleydale, a short stroll from famous Aysgarth Falls (night 2); a small country house hotel in a gorgeous setting, not far from the market town of Hawes (night 3); a former shooting lodge at the head of Swaledale above the remote little village of Keld (night 4); and a 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well-preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel (night 5).
A lovely towhnhouse hotel with a great, Fench influenced restaurant, set on the square in the centre of lively Middleham.
Talk to usA lovely towhnhouse hotel with a great, Fench influenced restaurant, set on the square in the centre of lively Middleham...
A country inn and hotel, with cosy bar, excellent restaurant and large beer garden with views across Wensleydale, a short stroll from famous Aysgarth Falls.
Talk to usA country inn and hotel, with cosy bar, excellent restaurant and large beer garden with views across Wensleydale, a short stroll from famous Aysgarth Falls...
A small country house hotel in a gorgeous setting with views over upper Wensleydale, not far from the market town of Hawes. Relax in the cosy lounges and large gardens and enjoy good food with a focus on local, seasonal produce.
Talk to usA small country house hotel in a gorgeous setting with views over upper Wensleydale, not far from the market town of Hawes...
A former shooting lodge at the head of Swaledale above the remote little village of Keld with lovely views, a friendly bar and hearty meals.
Talk to usA former shooting lodge at the head of Swaledale above the remote little village of Keld with lovely views, a friendly bar and hearty meals...
A 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel, great rooms and tasty food.
Talk to usA 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel, great rooms and tasty food...
We had a great time, it was lovely to be out in the fresh air and open countryside with stunning views! We enjoyed the combination of activity and relaxation, it felt like a really long break even though it was only a few days. We didn’t have to worry about anything, everything was seamless, we had no problems at all. I will definitely be looking at the website to arrange another break in the future!
We really enjoyed the trip and it has been great to feel like we’ve been communicating with a real person who cares, rather than just a salesperson with a big company! The wonderful Yorkshire Dales landscapes were the highlight of the trip and the route notes provided were clear and easy to follow.
The routes included on this trip were absolutely outstanding - we loved them all! The route notes provided were spot on and it was great to feel that we were exploring areas that don’t see many crowds. We all enjoyed the fantastic food and drink available at our accommodation at the end of each day out in the hills!
This itinerary would cost from £545 pp.
Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.
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Accommodation |
All accommodation in carefully-selected, characterful local inns and hotels. Optional upgrades may be available. |
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Ground transfers |
Transport from your last hotel to your first hotel to collect your car (if travelling by train, contact us to discuss options). |
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Ground transfers |
Secure door-to-door luggage transfer between your overnight accommodations. |
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Breakfast |
All accommodation on bed & breakfast basis, with full English, vegetarian, and cold/uncooked options available. (Optional packed lunches are available to order the night before.) |
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Equipment |
Detailed walking notes, a route-marked OS map, and the ‘Muddy Boots Survival Pack’ including our guide to places to visit and eat and drink on your route. |
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Support |
24/7 emergency telephone support in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong during your trip. |
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Guided excursions |
A personal guide may be available for some or all of your trip, on request. Get in touch to discuss your needs. |
