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01969 663 838

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Head for the more remote valleys of the northern Dales to explore fast-flowing rivers, stunning hay meadows, traditional villages and fascinating mining remains.

Spend your first day crossing the wild, open moorland between Arkengarthdale and Swaledale before enjoying a classic exploration of upper Swaledale, with its waterfalls and welcoming little villages.

Your third day takes you along the Swale to popular Reeth before heading up to Fremington Edge for views back over much of your route.

Trip details

  • Amount of walking: Three days of hotel-to-hotel walking of 10.5 miles (17km, ascent 794m), 9 miles (15km, ascent 638m) and 10 miles (16km, ascent 660m)
  • Difficulty level: 4/5 (fairly challenging)
  • Terrain: A mixture of rugged, exposed moorland, hillside gills, gentle riverside walking, old mining remains and several of Swaledale’s small but perfectly formed villages!

Customise this trip

The route can be customised to suit your preferred daily distances, difficulty and pace. Contact us now for free advice.

Good to know

  • Cross open moorland between Arkengarthdale & Swaledale
  • Difficulty rating: 4/5
  • Tailor the route to your pace
  • Covid-19 booking guarantee

What's included

  • Included Accommodation
  • Included Ground transfers
  • Included Ground transfers
  • Included Breakfast
  • Included Equipment
  • Included Support
Days

5

Starting from

£410 pp

Contact us now for more information about this trip
Speak to Hellen for expert travel advice
Talk to us
Destinations
Yorkshire Dales National Park, Yorkshire
Activity
Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type
Custom itinerary, Self-guided tour
Physical Level
Moderate

Detailed itinerary

What you'll see and do

This is a customisable trip

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 Arkengarthdale

Settle into a fantastic country pub in upper-Arkengarthdale, with lovely rooms, great food and wonderful views of the surrounding scenery. If you would like to stretch your legs before jour journey begins you can enjoy a gentle stroll along Arkle Beck before returning to the inn for a delicious dinner.

Included meals: Breakfast

Featured Accommodation
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The Charles Bathurst Inn
Classic

The Charles Bathurst Inn

Arkengarthdale to Keld

Today takes you across the wild, open moorland between Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, covering remote moorland lanes, tumbling gills and the fascinating lead mining remains of Gunnerside Gill. The end of the walk takes you past the beautiful waterfalls on the edge of the village of Keld, before a short sharp climb to the top of the village and your base for the night.

Included meals: Breakfast

Featured Accommodation
Expand
Keld Lodge
Classic

Keld Lodge

Keld to Low Row

After the high moors of yesterday, today’s long but gentle route along the valley provides a wonderful contrast. 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 before arriving at your base for the night in the tiny village of Low Row.

Included meals: Breakfast

Featured Accommodation
Expand
The Punch Bowl Inn
Classic

The Punch Bowl Inn

Low Row to Arkengarthdale

Today you continue east along Swaledale, first along the edge of the moor, with lovely views across the valley, before dropping into the pretty village of Healaugh and following the River Swale to the bustling village of Reeth, where there are some great lunch stops! You then head steeply uphill before following Fremington Edge into Arkengarthdale.

Included meals: Breakfast

Featured Accommodation
Expand
The Charles Bathurst Inn
Classic

The Charles Bathurst Inn

Departure from Arkengarthdale

Enjoy a last full breakfast at your inn before heading home, maybe via a quick stop at the bakery in Reeth to stock up on goodies!

Included meals: Breakfast

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Speak to a England specialist about this trip

Muddy Boots

Call one of our travel experts for ideas and trip planning advice.

Talk to us

Where to stay

Some of our sample accommodation.

An 18th century inn deep in the Arkengarthdale countryside, offering great food, cosy nooks and crannies, lovely rooms and fantastic views (nights 1 and 4); 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 (night 2); and a 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel, great rooms and tasty food (night 3).

Expand
The Charles Bathurst Inn
Classic

The Charles Bathurst Inn

An 18th century inn deep in the Arkengarthdale countryside, offering great food, cosy nooks and crannies, lovely rooms and fantastic views...

Expand
Keld Lodge
Classic

Keld Lodge

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...

Expand
The Punch Bowl Inn
Classic

The Punch Bowl Inn

A 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel, great rooms and tasty food...

Reviews

What people are saying about Muddy Boots

E
Elaine and Howard
23/05/2021

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!

C
Charlie and Louise
07/05/2021

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.

S
Sandy
13/05/2021

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!

How to book

Contact us now for expert advice

Price guide

This itinerary would cost from £410 pp.

Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.

What's included

Included Accommodation

All accommodation in carefully-selected, characterful local inns and hotels. Optional upgrades may be available.

Included Ground transfers

Transport from your last hotel to your first hotel to collect your car (if travelling by train, contact us to discuss options).

Included Ground transfers

Secure door-to-door luggage transfer between your overnight accommodations.

Included 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.)

Included 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.

Included Support

24/7 emergency telephone support in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong during your trip.

Not included Guided excursions

A personal guide may be available for some or all of your trip, on request. Get in touch to discuss your needs.

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