Guided Walking at Sedbergh

 Easier Walks        Harder Walks

Easier Walks follow good riverside and field paths. Harder Walks head over high moorland. 

• Our experienced guides offer the choice of up to two 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 6 April; Sat 12, 26 May; Sat 23 June; Sat 7 July; Sat 21 July – for Solos;
Sat 4, 18 Aug; Sat 1, 29 Sept; Sat 13 Oct   

5 night holidays
Days 2, 3, 5 & 6: Sun 21 Oct

4 night holidays
Days 1-4: Fri 6 April; Sat 12, 26 May; Sat 23 June; Sat 7 July; Sat 21 July – for Solos;
Sat 4, 18 Aug; Sat 1, 29 Sept; Sat 13 Oct                   

3 night holidays
Days 5-7: Tues 10 April; Wed 16, 30 May; Wed 27 June; Wed 11 July; Wed 25 July – for Solos;
Wed 8, 22 Aug; Wed 3, 17 Oct
Days 2 & 7: Fri 16, 23 March

See below for Itinerary Two

Day 1: Arrival day

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

Day 2: The Howgill Fells and Sedbergh

Easier Walk: Initially following the banks of the River Rawthey to Millthrop, we then divert across country following the Sedgwick Geological Trail. This leads us to Danny Bridge and Farfield Mill before we return to Sedbergh. 7¾ miles with 600 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Heading north along the lower slopes of the Howgills we ascend beside Cautley Holme Beck to the 700 foot waterfalls of Cautley Spout and the buttresses of Cautley Crag. The path then leads to The Calf - the highest point of the Howgills - before returning to Sedbergh. 10¾ miles with 2,125 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk will loop over Arant Haw, then descend over the Nab to join the Dales Way and return to Sedbergh along the River Rawthey. 8¾ miles with 1,675 feet of ascent.

Day 3: Above and along the River Lune

Easier Walk: High up on Barbon Beck we begin a descent through woodland to Barbon village with its 17^th century inn. Then on to Casterton to finish in the ancient market town of of Kirkby Lonsdale. 7¼ miles with 225 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Barbon village we head northeast on to the ridge of Middleton Fell high above Barbondale, over Devil’s Crag, Castle Knott and Calf Top, descending the fellside back to Sedbergh. 10¼ miles with 2,150 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk will start at Barbon heading for Blindbeck Bridge and south over Hogs Hill and Casterton Fell into Kirkby Lonsdale. 9 miles with 1,200 feet of ascent.

Day 4: The green valley of Wensleydale

Easier Walk: From Askrigg village (where TV’s All Creatures Great and Small was filmed) we walk to Hardraw Force, the single highest drop in England at 100 feet (cost to view, £2 in 2011).  We join the Pennine Way into Hawes, home to Wensleydale cheese. 7 miles with 250 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: High above Wensleydale on Aisgill Moor we follow Lady Anne’s Way, past the old mining village of Cotterdale and along the Pennine Way to Hardraw Force and Hawes. 11 miles with 1,025 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk starts from Bainbridge and heads south to Semer Water, Yorkshire’s only true natural lake. From Marsett we climb a ridge above Wensleydale to drop into Hawes. 8½ miles with 1,300 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 tab for places that you may enjoy visiting.

Day 6: Upper Swaledale

Easier Walk: A circular walk from Muker taking in Keld, the waterfall of East Gill Force and the centuries-old lead mine at Crackpot Hall. 6 miles with 650 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Thwaite Bridge we follow the River Ure to Appersett Bridge. The path then heads north along the Pennine Way over Great Shunner Fell, descending into Swaledale and Muker. 11½ miles with 1,725 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk will loop from Muker up to Crackpot Hall and on to Gunnerside, before returning to Muker via the River Swale. 9½ miles with 1,375 feet of ascent.

Day 7: Dentdale

Easier Walk: First following the River Dee along the Dales Way to the little town of Dent, we then head north to Millthrop and back to Sedbergh. 8 miles with 350 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Heading up the Craven Way we veer off to Whernside, the highest of the Yorkshire’s Three Peaks with excellent views of the Pennines, the Lake District and the Ribblehead Viaduct. We finish the day following the Dee into Dent. 10¼ miles with 1,950 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk passes through Dent, beside Flinter Gill to Green Lane. Dropping to the River Dee it then follows the route of the easier walkers. 10 miles with 1,050 feet of ascent.

2012 - Itinerary Two

7 night holidays
Days 1-7: Fri 30 March; Sat 19 May; Sat 2, 16, 30 June; Sat 14, 28 July; Sat 11, 25 Aug;
Sat 8 Sept – for Solos; Sat 6 Oct

6 night holidays
Days 1-3 & 5-7: Sat 21 April

4 night holidays
Days 1-4: starting on Sat 19 May; Sat 2, 16, 30 June; Sat 14, 28 July; Sat 11, 25 Aug;
Sat 8 Sept – for Solos; Sat 6 Oct
Days 2, 3 & 6: Mon 12 March; Mon 29 Oct; Mon 5 Nov
Days 4, 6 & 7: Mon 2 April

3 night holidays
Days 1-3: Fri 30 March; Sat 21 April
Days 5-7: starting on Tues 24 April; Wed 23 May; Wed 6, 20 June; Wed 4, 18 July; Wed 1, 15, 29 Aug; Wed 12 Sept – for Solos; Wed 26 Sept; Wed 10 Oct

Day 1: Arrival day

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

Day 2: The Howgill Fells and the Lune Valley

Easier Walk: A circular walk from Sedbergh taking in the Dales Way to Lincoln’s Inn Bridge and returning across tracks and field paths via Brigflatts and Birks. 7½ miles with 400 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Bowderdale we take an undulating ridge over Westfell and Hazelgill Knott to the summit of The Calf, the highest point in the Howgills. We return to Sedbergh along the ridge spanning Calders, Arant Haw and Settlefellbeck Gill. 9 miles with 1,800 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk visits Fox’s Pulpit, a rocky outcrop where Quaker George Fox preached. After viewing Lily Mere and Killington Reservoir, we return to Sedbergh along the River Rawthey. 9½ miles with 650 feet of ascent.

Day 3: Mallerstang - myths and legends

Easier Walk: Starting at the Thrang we enjoy walking in the Mallerstang and Eden Valleys to finish at the market town of Kirkby Stephen. Highlights include Pendragon Castle, Lammerside Castle and Wharton Hall. 7¼ miles with 475 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Following a bridleway from Shaw Paddock to Hell Gill Bridge we ascend gradually onto Mallerstang Edge and over High Seat and High Pike Hill with fabulous views. We descend to Nateby and Kirkby Stephen. 10¼ miles with 1,425 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk will go from Aisgill Moor along Lady Anne’s Way, past Hell Gill Bridge and the Thrang to Kirkby Stephen. 10½ miles with 200 feet of ascent.

Day 4: Dales villages, moorland and waterfalls

Easier Walk: The dominating Bolton Castle - where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1568 - is the highlight on today’s circular walk from Aysgarth. We also enjoy the spectacular Upper Falls en route to Carperby, and, on the return the waterfalls at Lower and Middle Force. 7½ miles with 550 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From West Burton we head along Waldendale and the grouse moors into Coverdale and Carlton village. Over Melmerby Moor and by Penhill Beacon we pass the ruins of the 13^th century Knights Templar chapel before ending the day at Aysgarth Falls. 11½ miles with 2,125 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk will go from West Burton to West Witton before taking an undulating path along the River Ure to Aysgarth and the falls. 9¾ miles with 825 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 tab for places that you may enjoy visiting.

Day 6: Smardale and Green Bell from Ravenstonedale

Easier Walk: Starting from Ravenstonedale we go over Smardale Fell to Smardale Hall. The return to Ravenstonedale is along a track-bed of the old Darlington to Barrow-in-Furness railway line and through a nature reserve. 7 miles with 450 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Ravenstonedale we climb over Knoutberry and Green Bell to Randygill Top and then Hooksey back to Ravenstonedale, via the attractive village of Newbiggin-on-Lune and Smardale Bridge. 10¾ miles with 1,950 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk will follow a circular route from Newbiggin-on-Lune over Nettle Hill to Crosby Garrett, returning via Smardale Hall and Smardale Bridge. 9¼ miles with 1,050 feet of ascent.

Day 7: Potholes, limestone scars and waterfalls

Easier Walk: Visit the Ribblehead Viaduct, which carries the Settle-Carlisle Railway line built in the 1870s, before a lovely route on to the magnificent limestone pavements of Twistleton Scars and along the River Dee to cross the Craven Fault into Ingleton. 8 miles with 425 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Leaving Ribblehead beside the railway line we aim for the highest of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks, Whernside, with excellent views to the Pennines and Lake District. The long summit ridge leads to Twistleton Scars and down to Ingleton. 11 miles with 1,475 feet of ascent.

If guest numbers permit, a Medium Walk will start at the White Scar Caves to cross the valley below Twistleton Scars. We will visit Yorda’s Cave and Turbary Road en route to Ingleton. 8¾ miles with 1,000 feet of ascent.

Local transport

On some days the walks start and finish at our Country House, Thorns Hall. On other days you’ll be transported to other parts of the Yorkshire Dales. 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.