The Yorkshire Dales In Comfort
- Classic walking through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
- Burnsall, where Yorkshire’s very own Dick Whittington hails from.
- Limestone plateaus, high heather moorland and green valleys.
- Walk to the stone-built village of Grassington, through flower-rich meadows.
- Tea rooms, local brews and cuisine, including famed Yorkshire pudding.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Settle & overnightArrive in Settle, a bustling and historic Yorkshire Dales market town. It is home to the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway and surrounded by a limestone landscape that abounds with dry stone walls, meadows, scars, peaks and waterfalls. It is also one of the places where the movie “Calendar Girls” was filmed.
Built in 1841, this Grade II listed building has retained many period features, with converted and tastefully furnished interiors creating the warm and friendly atmosphere. It offers an ample car park free of charge and also free WiFi. Their bar menu is hearty & wholesome featuring everything from soup and sandwiches to traditional platters with fabulous regional produce. And pub classics like fish and chips and satisfying pies and casseroles for those looking for something a little more substantial.
The Golden Lion at Settle offers the warmest welcome, great food and comfortable rooms - right in the heart of the beautiful market town of Settle. Each room has individual features and character - including the fabulous newly refurbished guestrooms. Wake up to a traditional full Yorkshire breakfast.
Set in the Yorkshire Dales in the picturesque village of Giggleswick the Harts Head Hotel offers 7 en-suite letting rooms, rustic homemade food and a fine pint of Thwaites Cask Ale. The ideal resting spot after a walk or bike ride.
Today you will be walking partly on the Settle Loop which affords great views of the Three High Peaks of Yorkshire, Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. You will also traverse a limestone upland, before descending into Malham through rolling farmland. The crystal clear waters of Malham Beck flow through the centre of this delightful village. People have been living in this area since the Bronze Age and also 8th Century Anglian farmers, Norsemen and medieval monks. This route can also be shortened by taking an alternative path into Malham.
- Standard Route: 16km (10 miles) Ascent: 405m / Descent: 365m
- Shortened Route: 11km (7miles) Ascent: 360m / Descent: 335m
Beck Hall was built in 1710 and has been providing hotel and B&B accommodation since the 1930's. Beck Hall offers a warm welcome to walkers. They have a spacious guest lounge, on a colder winter night don't be surprised to be co-opted to maintain the log fire that occupies one end of the lounge. All of the rooms at Beck Hall are rather different and distinct. All rooms have TV, tea and coffee making facilities, central heating and heated towel rails.
The Lister Arms offers a warm Yorkshire welcome, wonderful home-cooked food, and a selection of real ales. All guest rooms are en-suite with complimentary toiletries, WiFi in the bar and lounge areas, tea & coffee making facilities – stocked with good old-fashioned Yorkshire Tea, hot chocolate and delicious biscuits, comfortable beds and plump pillows. In the restaurant, the menus are traditional in the sense that they offer you a warming array of home-cooked dishes. You can enjoy dishes which are freshly prepared to order using good quality local ingredients, sourced from trusted suppliers in the area.
Your host’s Ann & Alex Roe, welcome you to River House, a Four Star Bed and Breakfast in Malham, a Victorian Country house, with parts originally parts built in 1664. All bedrooms at River House are en-suite with complimentary toiletries, digital flat screen tvs, hair dryers, heated towel rail and a plentiful supply of Yorkshire Tea & Coffee. The Dining Room is where Quality Dales breakfasts are served to you. They have an AA Egg Cup for an excellent breakfast, only a select few in North Yorkshire have been awarded an Egg Cup.
Make your way north out of Malham on the Airedale Way. Malhamdale and the upper reaches of Airedale has some of the most spectacular scenery in England, including Malham Cove, one of this country’s great “natural wonders”. First however, you will come across the waters of Malham Tarn, England’s highest freshwater lake.
Make your way around the tarn, which is a National Nature Reserve and then cross open farmland before turning back south and walking over the top of Malham Cove. A fairly steep descent brings you back into this charming village.
Ascent: 250m / Descent: 250m
Beck Hall was built in 1710 and has been providing hotel and B&B accommodation since the 1930's. Beck Hall offers a warm welcome to walkers. They have a spacious guest lounge, on a colder winter night don't be surprised to be co-opted to maintain the log fire that occupies one end of the lounge. All of the rooms at Beck Hall are rather different and distinct. All rooms have TV, tea and coffee making facilities, central heating and heated towel rails.
Your host’s Ann & Alex Roe, welcome you to River House, a Four Star Bed and Breakfast in Malham, a Victorian Country house, with parts originally parts built in 1664. All bedrooms at River House are en-suite with complimentary toiletries, digital flat screen tvs, hair dryers, heated towel rail and a plentiful supply of Yorkshire Tea & Coffee. The Dining Room is where Quality Dales breakfasts are served to you. They have an AA Egg Cup for an excellent breakfast, only a select few in North Yorkshire have been awarded an Egg Cup.
The Lister Arms offers a warm Yorkshire welcome, wonderful home-cooked food, and a selection of real ales. All guest rooms are en-suite with complimentary toiletries, WiFi in the bar and lounge areas, tea & coffee making facilities – stocked with good old-fashioned Yorkshire Tea, hot chocolate and delicious biscuits, comfortable beds and plump pillows. In the restaurant, the menus are traditional in the sense that they offer you a warming array of home-cooked dishes. You can enjoy dishes which are freshly prepared to order using good quality local ingredients, sourced from trusted suppliers in the area.
This morning head south along the Airedale Way, before turning east and walking on a riverside path alongside the Gordale Beck. Then walk up to a plateau with woods and dip down into the valley and past farms and rolling countryside. Ascend once more to the top of a limestone peak alongside Lainger Beck for fantastic views, before dipping back down into Threshfield.
Arrive in the attractive small town of Grassington, set in the heart of Wharfedale. It has a picturesque cobbled square, winding alleyways, and tonight you may like to sample a local brew in one of its cosy pubs.
Ascent: 380m / Descent: 365m
The Black Horse Hotel was extended in 1990 and now boasts 15 modern en-suite bedrooms, each with their own individuality. Enjoy modern facilities in rooms that were here before Dickens was a boy.
Grassington House, an award-winning restaurant with rooms in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, and a beautiful three-storey Grade II listed Georgian residence.
The Devonshire is a classic Yorkshire Inn that has all the charm and character that you would expect from a pub sitting in the middle of Grassington. The Hotel was actually used in the 2020 series of All Creatures Great and Small, a remake of the beloved tv show based upon the “James Herriott” books following a Scottish vet on his move to a sleepy Dales village; Darrowby.
Initially cross a foot bridge over the River Wharfe and above Linton Falls. Admire the impressive Norman church here, before skirting Ebolton Hill and arriving in the “hidden” village of Thorpe, so-called as it lies between two limestone hills. In the Middle Ages, local people would take refuge from Scottish raiders here.
Continue to the alluring village of Burnsall with a pretty green, beside the River Wharfe. It was here where local man, William Craven, Yorkshire’s very own Dick Whittington, founded a grammar school in 1602. Walk on the Dales Way back to Grassington.
Ascent: 205m / Descent: 200m
The Black Horse Hotel was extended in 1990 and now boasts 15 modern en-suite bedrooms, each with their own individuality. Enjoy modern facilities in rooms that were here before Dickens was a boy.
Grassington House, an award-winning restaurant with rooms in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, and a beautiful three-storey Grade II listed Georgian residence.
The Devonshire is a classic Yorkshire Inn that has all the charm and character that you would expect from a pub sitting in the middle of Grassington. The Hotel was actually used in the 2020 series of All Creatures Great and Small, a remake of the beloved tv show based upon the “James Herriott” books following a Scottish vet on his move to a sleepy Dales village; Darrowby.
An included transfer brings you to Skipton Train Station, from where you can make your onward journeys.
This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This self-guided walking tour follows trails through the southern Yorkshire Dales with its picture-postcard stone villages, ancient woodland and spectacular waterfalls. If you want to forget your stresses and walk in these classic Dales landscapes over the course of four days, staying in hand-picked and charming lodging, then this is the choice of tour for you.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This tour is graded as easy to moderate. Although there are elevation gains and losses it is nothing too significant and the distances each day are fairly short. The walks are in a variety of terrain including, farmland, limestone uplands, wooded and riverside trails. You will need to have good physical fitness to accomplish the walks on this tour.
On this tour you will stay in carefully chosen guest houses, B&B's and small hotels, all located in charming Yorkshire Dales towns and villages.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.
We also welcome solo walkers on this tour, again a supplement is payable.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or in nearby pubs or restaurants. Since the Yorkshire Dales is recognised as being one of the greatest culinary locations in the UK you are sure to find some amazing local cuisine. (See more details on restaurants in your Information Pack).
At times the routes are well way-marked, for example when you walk along the Dales Way, the Airedale Way and the Settle Loop. However, you will also be walking on unmarked trails, though farmers fields and the countryside, so you will have to use your comprehensive route notes and your OS map, in conjunction with each other, in order to find your way. Therefore you will need to be able to read a map and navigate. We also provide GPS tracks for those who wish to take a GPS unit.
- Overnight accommodation in B&B's, guest houses & small hotels
- Breakfasts included
- Luggage transfers
- People transfers where mentioned
- Detailed information pack, route notes and maps
- 24/7 telephone support from our UK office
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to starting point/from finish
- Lunches, dinners and snacks
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Personal equipment
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk
We offer this tour in the spring, summer and autumn. Advantages in the spring are the beautiful spring flowers in bloom. Temperatures will probably be at their best in the summer and in the Autumn/Fall it will be a bit quieter.
Availability
You can start your tour anytime between April and September. You can start your on any day of the week during the season as long as there is the availability.
It is possible to do the tour in October also. However, please note that if any of your luggage/taxi transfers overlap or fall in the month of October they may be subject to an off season supplement from our local supplier. (October transfers are dependent on driver availability on the off season and a price is given when we request it).
Settle has a train station and therefore is easily accessible from London (one change in Leeds), Manchester, Leeds and other major gateways. The journey from London takes between 3-4 hours, from Manchester, around 2 hours and from Leeds about 1 hour. You can fly into any of the London Airports or Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow Airports. For more information on train times and schedules please visit the Traveline or National Rail websites.
An included transfer will transport you from your accommodation in Grassington to Skipton Train Station. From here you can take trains to London (via Leeds and around a 3 hour journey), to Manchester (also via Leeds and an approx. 2 hour journey). The most convenient airports to fly out of are Leeds, London or Manchester.
Information on trains may be found on the Traveline or National Rail websites.
Transfers for you and your luggage are included. Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 17kg per person. Please note that if any of your luggage/taxi transfers overlap or fall in the month of October they may be subject to an off season supplement from our local supplier. (October transfers are dependent on driver availability on the off season).
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example. proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take.This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the these towns and especially Grassington can get very busy especially during July and August. You will find up to date availability on our website.
You will need to have good physical fitness to fully enjoy this tour as, at times, there are some elevation gains and losses to negotiate.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 17kg per person.
Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
The best months for walking in the spring, summer and autumn when the weather is fair. Spring is great as the wild flowers will be in bloom and the Autumn when it is a bit quieter.
You can use public transport or a local taxi to continue to your next overnight stop.
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