Self-guided walking holiday in Swaledale - 5 nights
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Swaledale at a gentle pace (without too many hills!), allowing plenty of time for soaking up the scenery and pottering around the villages.
Dip into peaceful Arkengarthdale before visiting bustling Reeth and enjoying a full exploration of Swaledale, including gentle riverside walking, beautiful hay meadows with their classic field barns and drystone walls, and the charming villages of Low Row, Gunnerside, Muker and Keld. Reach the very head of the valley where you will see the source of the River Swale and remote Ravenseat Farm, now well-known as the home of the ‘Yorkshire Shepherdess’.
Summary
Number of nights: 5
Price: From £550 per person (based on two people sharing a double or twin room)
Amount of walking: Two days of hotel-to-hotel walking of 8 miles (13km, ascent 320m) and 8.5 miles (14km, ascent 420m) and two circular walks of 9 miles (14.5km, ascent 440m) and 8 miles (13km, ascent 435m)
Difficulty level: 4/10 (fairly gentle)
Terrain: Mostly riverside and valley walking with some sections on more rugged moorland.
Accommodation: An 18th century inn deep in the Arkengarthdale countryside, offering great food, cosy nooks and crannies, lovely rooms and fantastic views (night 1); a 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel, great rooms and tasty food (nights 2 and 3) and 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 (nights 4 and 5). For full details of the accommodation included on each of our routes see our accommodation page.
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ITINERARY
Day 1 - Settle into a fantastic country pub in upper-Arkengarthdale, with lovely rooms, great food and wonderful views of the surrounding scenery. Stay at the CB Inn.
Day 2 - Today’s walk takes you on a peaceful stroll along Arkle Beck and into the bustling village of Reeth, which makes a great half-way stop, with its lovely setting, big village green and plenty of pubs and cafes. From Reeth, join the River Swale for some gentle riverside walking before gaining a little height and passing through Barney Beck Wood to reach the tiny village of Low Row, which will be your base for two nights. Stay at the Punch Bowl Inn.
Day 3 - Today’s circular walk from Low Row explores some little-walked paths around the hamlet of Crackpot, visiting pretty Crackpot Falls before reaching open moorland and the earthworks of fascinating Maiden Castle, from where there are great views back towards Reeth and lower Swaledale. The return is a gentle stroll along the ‘Swale Trail’, broadly following the line of the river. Stay at the Punch Bowl Inn.
Day 4 - Climb the only hill of the day out of Low Row for wonderful views along the valley before dropping into Gunnerside, where you can visit the traditional Smithy. From here, you follow the river through classic Swaledale pastures to reach Kisdon Gorge. Take an optional short detour to visit the popular village of Muker and its beautiful hay meadows then continue through the gorge. Stop at the atmospheric ruins of Crackpot Hall, with its fantastic views, before passing a pretty waterfall to reach the remote village of Keld for your last two nights. Stay at Keld Lodge.
Day 5 - Explore the very upper reaches of Swaledale today, taking in some quiet, remote paths as well as one of the most well-known farms in the Yorkshire Dales – Ravenseat, home of ‘the Yorkshire Shepherdess’! Pass the source of the River Swale and pretty Wainwath Force on the return to Keld, having enjoyed fantastic views throughout. Stay at Keld Lodge.
Day 6 - Indulge in a last well-earned breakfast before taking a transfer back to Arkengarthdale to collect your car and head home (or travel back to the train station to catch your train).
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Five nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis;
Luggage transfer;
A taxi from the end of the route back to the start to collect your car;
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.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Packed lunches (or order these the night before at your accommodation).
Additional nights accommodation.
A personal guide for some or all of your trip.