Guided Walking at Malhamdale

  Easier Walks      Medium Walks      Harder Walks

Easier Walks are generally on good, well-graded paths. Medium Walks have moderate gradients and some steeper sections. Harder Walks are over high moorland to rugged summits.

• Our experienced guides offer the choice of up to three different walks each day
• Choose the option which best suits your interests and fitness; take an Easier Walk one day and switch to a Harder Walk the next
• We offer a social activity each evening

2012 - Itinerary One

7 night holidays
Days 1-7: Fri 2 March; Sat 12 May; Sat 9, 23 June; Sat 7, 21 July; Sat 18 Aug; Sat 15 Sept;
Sat 13 Oct

6 night holidays
Days 1-5 & 7: Sat 26 May; Sun 2 Sept
Days 1-3 & 5-7: Sat 27 Oct

4 night holidays
Days 1-4: Sat 12 May; Sat 9, 23 June; Sat 7 July; Sat 18 Aug
Days 4-7: Mon 5 March
Days 3, 6 & 7: Mon 20 Feb; Mon 19 March; Mon 16 April; Mon 5, 19 Nov

3 night holidays
Days 1-3: Fri 24 Feb; Fri 2, 16 March; Fri 13 April; Sat 26 May; Sat 27 Oct; Fri 2 Nov
Days 4 & 7: Tues 29 May
Days 5-7: Wed 16 May; Wed 13, 27 June; Wed 11 July; Wed 22 Aug; Wed 19 Sept; Tues 30 Oct

See below for Itinerary Two

Day 1: Arrival day

Meet your leaders who will tell you more about the walks.

Day 2: Airton and the River Aire

Easier Walk: We walk along quiet lanes to the hamlet of Calton then cross pastures to the River Aire and Airton. We follow an ancient lane south to Bell Busk, ascend fields to the rocky outcrop of Haw Crag, and return to Newfield Hall across Eshton Moor. 7½ miles with 625 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: After Calton and Airton we visit Kirkby Malham with its 15th century church - “The Cathedral of the Dales”. We then follow field paths to Malham and the River Aire before returning on the Pennine Way. 9½ miles with 950 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: We walk to Calton and then ascend the moor to the superb viewpoint of Weets Top. We descend Hanlith Moor and follow the River Aire to Malham. We then return alongside the River Aire via Kirkby Malham. 13 miles with 1,600 feet of ascent. 

Day 3: Through Ribblesdale to Settle

Easier Walk: We explore the attractive village of Langcliffe before heading north to Catrigg Force and descending into Stainforth. After visiting the 1873 Hoffman Lime Kiln we follow the River Ribble into Settle, a picturesque market town first chartered in 1249 and famous for the Settle-Carlisle railway. 7 miles with 800 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: A circular walk from Settle, we cover the same route as the Easier Walk but in reverse to Catrigg Force, and then an ascent up onto the higher fells to pass Jubilee and Victoria Caves. 9 miles with 1,125 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: In addition to the highlights of the Medium and Easier Walks, we also have a long and hilly loop to visit the hidden village of Feizor, a route often walked by Elgar during visits to Settle. 11¼ miles with 1,925 feet of ascent.

Day 4: Clapham, Gaping Gill and Ingleborough

Easier Walk: Today’s circular walk starts in Clapham, a traditional Dales village. We pass through the Ingleborough Estate - with an optional guided tour of Ingleborough Cave - and ascend the limestone gorge of Trow Gill to reach the pothole of Gaping Gill, with its 365 foot drop. 6 miles with 850 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: We follow the easier route to Gaping Gill, then cross open country and traverse a path below Thwaite Scars, with views of Crummackdale. We visit Norber with its boulder field of glacial erratics – deposits from the last Ice Age. 7½ miles with 1,250 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Clapham to Sulber, then a gradual ascent of Ingleborough, one of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks. We return to Clapham via Gaping Gill. 11 miles with 2,025 feet of ascent.

Day 5:

For 3 night holidays arriving today, this is your chance to meet your leaders.

If you have booked a 7 night holiday today is a free day with no guided walks organised. This is a great opportunity to explore the Yorkshire Dales independently - see the Local Area section for places you may enjoy visiting.

Day 6: Wharfedale, Simon’s Seat and Bolton Abbey

Easier Walk: Leaving Appletreewick, we follow the Dales Way along the River Wharfe, passing Barden Tower, the ruins of a 15th century fortified hunting lodge and The Strid, a dangerous fast flowing river in a narrow ravine. We finish at the village of Bolton Abbey, dominated by the 12th century priory ruins. 7 miles with 250 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: From Appletreewick we visit the limestone gorge of Trollers Gill, descending to the River Wharfe near Howgill and following part of the Dales Way past The Strid to end at Bolton Abbey. 10 miles with 825 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: We head to Trollers Gill and High Skyreholme village before going on high moor to the superb viewpoint, Simon’s Seat. Then over Barden Fell and through the Valley of Desolation to follow the river to Bolton Abbey. 12¾ miles with 1,850 feet of ascent. 

Day 7: Malham Moor, Tarn and Cove

Easier Walk: From Malham we walk north to Malham Tarn, with splendid views down the Watlowes Valley. Then to Water Sinks and Tarn Foot, to the top of Malham Cove and a return past Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss waterfall. 7¼ miles with 800 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Starting in Malham we pass Janet’s Foss to see Gordale Scar before heading onto Malham Moor and Water Sinks. Our highest point of the day is Nappa Cross before we return to Malham via Malham Cove. 10 miles with 1,275 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: After passing Janet’s Foss we reach today’s highlight - an exhilarating scramble up Gordale Scar to reach open ground with excellent views. We continue past Great Close Scar and join the Pennine Way north of Malham Tarn, returning to Malham via the Cove. 11¾ miles with 1,650 feet of ascent.

2012 - Itinerary Two

7 night holidays
Days 1-7: Fri 6 April; Sat 5 May; Sat 14 July; Sat 11 Aug; Sat 8, 22, 29 Sept; Sat 20 Oct; Fri 23 Nov

6 night holidays
Days 1-3 & 5-7: Sun 26 Aug

5 night holidays
Days 2, 3 ,6 & 7: Mon 23 April; Mon 4 June; Mon 30 July 

4 night holidays
Days 1-4: Fri 6 April; Sat 14 July; Sat 11 Aug; Sat 22, 29 Sept; Sat 20 Oct
Days 4-7: Mon 26 Nov
Days 2, 3 & 7: Mon 26 March; Mon 12 Nov; Mon 3 Dec – Tinsel & Turkey

3 night holidays
Days 1-3: Fri 9 March – for Solos; Fri 30 March; Sun 26 Aug; Fri 23 Nov
Days 5-7: Tues 10 April; Wed 9 May; Wed 18 July; Wed 15, 29 Aug; Wed 26 Sept; Wed 3, 24 Oct

Day 1: Arrival day

Meet your leaders who will tell you more about the walks.

Day 2: The valley of the River Aire

Easier Walk: We follow lanes and field paths to Airton and Warber Hill, with magnificent views over Malham. We descend to Kirkby Malham to visit its 15th century church – “The Cathedral of the Dales” – and return to Newfield Hall along the Pennine Way and River Aire. 6¾ miles with 525 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Ascending Eshton Moor on the Pennine Way we reach Friars Head, a 17th century Elizabethan-style house. Then to the village of Gargrave via the hamlet of Flashby and the towing path of the Leeds-Liverpool canal before returning on the Pennine Way. 10½ miles with 850 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: After Winterburn Reservoir and its wildfowl we ascend a bridleway to Weets Top, with extensive views of limestone scenery and peaks in the distance. We descend to Hanlith Bridge and return on the Pennine Way. 11¾ miles with 1,225 feet of ascent.

Day 3: Malham Moor, Tarn and Cove

Easier Walk: From Malham we visit Janet’s Foss waterfall and perhaps view the harder walkers climbing Gordale Scar before we ascend gradually up the Watlowes dry river valley. We return to Malham via the Cove. 7½ miles with 800 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: From Malham to Janet’s Foss, we view Gordale Scar and ascend Grey Gill, passing through wild country for a fine view of Malham Tarn. We follow the outlet stream to the Watlowes Valley before returning to Malham. 10¼ miles with 950 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Malham we pass Janet’s Foss before an exhilarating scramble up Gordale Scar. We visit the shores of Malham Tarn before travelling west for fine views from Nappa Cross. We descend into Malham via Watlowes and Malham Cove. 11¾ miles with 1,550 feet of ascent.

Day 4: Upper Wharfedale and Kettlewell

Easier Walk: We follow the River Wharfe upstream to Hubberholme and its ancient church, with a 16th century rood screen and furniture by Robert Thompson – “the Mouseman of Kilburn”. We then follow the Dales Way downstream to explore the village of Kettlewell. 7 miles with 425 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: We ascend Buckden Rake to Cray, then descend Cray Gill to Hubberholme. After ascending the hillside for extensive views down the dale, we descend to Starbotton and follow the Dales Way to Kettlewell. 8½ miles with 1,425 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: We follow the easier route to Hubberholme, then ascend to Scar House, contour round the head of the dale and ascend the summit of Buckden Pike. We then descend to Starbotton and on to Kettlewell. 11 miles with 1,925 feet of ascent.

Day 5:

For 3 night holidays arriving today, this is your chance to meet your leaders.

If you have booked a 7 night holiday today is a free day with no guided walks organised. This is a great opportunity to explore the Yorkshire Dales independently - see the Local Area section for places you may find interesting to visit.

Day 6: Ribblesdale and Pen-y-ghent 

Easier Walk: Our route starts south-west of Pen-y-ghent and takes us to the hamlet of Feizor before following tracks and paths to the River Ribble and waterfalls at Stainforth. We follow the river along the Ribble Way to reach the famous railway town of Settle. 6½ miles with 625 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: A lovely circular walk from Horton-in-Ribblesdale, including a section of the Pennine Way and Ribble Way, and ancient tracks. The day offers magnificent views of the Ribblehead Viaduct, the Three Peaks, Crummack Dale and the unique limestone pavements of Moughton Scars. 8½ miles with 900 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Stainforth, our main objective is the ascent of Pen-y-ghent, via Churn Milk Hole and a short, easy scramble. Then the route follows the ridge to Plover Hill, descending over Foxup Moor and crossing Horton Moor to Hull Pot, before joining the Pennine Way to Horton. 10½ miles with 1,850 feet of ascent.

Day 7: The Dales Way through Wharfedale

Easier Walk: After visiting the unique 12th century Linton church, and Linton village, we follow paths with great views of Wharfedale, passing through Thorpe and Burnsall. Following the Dales Way to picturesque Grassington we pass Linton Falls, the largest waterfall on the River Wharfe. 7 miles with 525 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: After exploring picturesque Linton, we cross Malham Moor and the River Wharfe to Conistone, with views of Kilnsey Crag. After a short, very easy scramble up Conistone Dib, we follow the Dales Way to Grassington. 10 miles with 1,175 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Starting at Arncliffe in Littondale we cross Old Cote Moor to Starbotton in Wharfedale. We cross the River Wharfe to follow the limestone escarpment to Kettlewell; then to Grassington, often described as the ‘capital’ of Upper Wharfedale. 11¼ miles with 1,775 feet of ascent.  

Local transport

On some walking days you’ll be transported to locations around the Yorkshire Dales to start your walk. The cost of all transport to and from the walks is included in the price of your holiday.

Our guests

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. There is normally a good mix of ages, of new guests and 'regulars' from Britain and overseas, and of people travelling alone, with a partner or with friends.

In the evenings

Your leaders will inform you about the choice of walks for the next day and answer any questions you may have. After a sociable evening meal you could join in an organised activity such as a quiz or a talk about the local area, relax in the bar or use the Country House facilities.