Begin your journey in the small market town of Middleham with its impressive castle ruins and spend a day exploring the quiet footpaths of exquisite Coverdale, remote Walden and idyllic Bishopdale before making your way west towards the head of Wensleydale, taking in famous Aysgarth Falls and the banks of the surprisingly peaceful River Ure.
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 a lovely townhouse hotel right in the square in the centre of Middleham. Get your trip off to an active start by enjoying a short walk down to the River Cover and along pretty ‘Cover Banks’ or explore the fascinating ruins of Middleham Castle.
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
Enjoy a circular walk from Aysgarth, visiting the famous falls, the impressive remains of Castle Bolton, which offers stunning views down Wensleydale and Bishopdale from its roof, and the moorland paths above the village of Carperby, where there is another chance for a well-earned stop at a country pub!
Included meals: Breakfast
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 your last two nights.
Included meals: Breakfast
If you don’t want to spend the day relaxing, there are several good walking options from your base. We recommend heading to the charming village of Hardraw (home to England’s highest single drop waterfall) and taking the Pennine Way to the summit of Great Shunner Fell for expansive views stretching to the Howgill Fells, the Yorkshire Three Peaks and even the hills of the Lake District on a clear day. Alternatively enjoy a short stroll into the popular town of Hawes for a potter around the shops and cafes and a visit to the famous Wensleydale Creamery.
Included meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a last hotel breakfast before taking a taxi back to your starting point 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 with an excellent French influenced restaurant (night 1); 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 (nights 2 and 3); and 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 (nights 4 and 5).
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 £530 pp.
Pricing may vary by accommodation choice, group size and time of year.
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. |