What is a ‘Discovery Walk’?
Our Discovery Walks are guided walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, designed to allow you to immerse yourself in the landscape, find out about the stories and characteristics of the area, discover some of our favourite hidden spots and, most importantly, have a fun day out!
All of our Discovery Walks include a picnic of local produce, a drink in a local pub and/or a visit to a local producer or business. Full details about what each Discovery Walk includes are set out on the web pages for each walk, which you can find here.
Our Discovery Walks are more than just a guided walk, they are an experience which we hope will inspire you to undertake many more adventures in the Yorkshire Dales and beyond.
How difficult are your Discovery Walks?
Our walks vary in difficulty from a short 3-mile route to a hilly 13-mile challenge! Full details are available on the page of each walk but if you have any questions, just drop us a line.
All of the walks require a reasonable level of fitness but no specific hill walking experience is needed. If you would prefer something more gentle or more challenging than the walks listed, contact us about putting together a tailor-made Discovery Walk for you!
None of our Discovery Walks are currently on accessible routes. However, if you are looking for an accessible Discovery Walk, do get in touch to find out about our tailor-made options.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Booking is available on the website up until 3 days before the date of your walk and availability is live in the booking system. If you would like to arrange a last-minute Discovery Walk on less than 72 hours’ notice, do get in touch by phone or email and we’ll see what we can do!
Our Discovery Walks are available to book on the website now for dates from 27 March 2021 onwards. If you would like to do a Discovery Walk before that date, do get in touch and we’ll see if we can help.
Do your Discovery Walks run all year?
Our routes do run all year but there may be times in the winter when the weather conditions mean that we don’t think it is sensible to go ahead with a walk. In those circumstances, we will cancel the walk and provide a full refund.
The first date available for booking a Discovery Walk online is Saturday 27 March 2021 but if you would like to go a walk before that date, do get in touch as we may be able to help!
Where do your Discovery Walks start from?
Each of our Discovery Walks start from a different location in the Dales. Details are provided on the web page for each of the individual walks, which you can find through our Discovery Walks page.
We can also arrange tailor-made Discovery Walks for locations all over the Dales, if none of our specific routes are quite what you are looking for.
What is included?
All of our Discovery Walks include the company of a knowledgeable local guide for the duration of your walk as well as some food, drinks and visits to local businesses – full details of what is included in each individual walk are included on the page for each walk, which you can find through our Discovery Walks page.
What do I need to bring?
All you will need is sensible clothing, water and possibly a few extra snacks! We will provide full details of what clothing and footwear we recommend for your walk when you make a booking.
What should I wear?
Practical outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear is recommended. We will provide full details of what we recommend for your walk when you make a booking.
What if the weather is bad?
Most of our walks can go ahead in a variety of weather conditions and it doesn’t need to be a perfect day for us to have a great walk! That said, we want your walk to be enjoyable and safe so if the weather conditions are such that we think the walk will be unpleasant or, in extreme circumstances, dangerous, we will cancel the walk and offer to rebook your trip for a different date or provide you with a full refund.
What if I need to cancel my trip?
As long as you give us 2 weeks’ notice, you can cancel your trip for any reason and receive a full refund. If you cancel your trip between 2 and 14 days before your booking date, you can either rearrange for a different date at no charge or receive a 50% refund. If you cancel within 48 hours of your walk, I’m afraid we are not able to offer a refund.
What if I have to cancel my trip because of COvid 19 guidance?
If the guidance relating to Covid 19 in your area means that you are unable to attend your discovery walk, we will be happy to rearrange your walk to another date at no charge (subject to availability).
Are your Discovery Walks COVID secure?
Yes! We think that our Discovery Walks are a great way to get some much needed fresh air, exercise and enjoy the stunning views of the Dales, all in an outdoor environment where social distancing and COVID guidelines are easy to adhere to! Our Discovery Walks are private to you and your group, and your guide will maintain a sensible social distance at all times. Of course we do ask that all of our customers adhere to all relevant COVID rules and guidance that apply to them and do not attend the walk if they are showing any symptoms of COVID 19.
If you have any questions about how COVID 19 may affect your Discovery Walk with Muddy Boots, please do get in touch.
What level of fitness is needed for your Discovery Walks?
We have a range of Discovery Walks of different lengths and different levels of difficulty. More details are available on the web pages for each of the individual walks. As a general rule, you will be spending several hours walking and all of our walks involve some hills, so a reasonable level of physical fitness is preferrable, but no specific walking or hiking experience is needed.
If you like the idea of a Discovery Walk but think that our options look more challenging that you would like, do get in touch as we are developing a couple of shorter, easier routes and we can also tailor walks to specific requirements.
I like the sound of a Discovery Walk but none of the ones listed are quite right – can you do something a bit different specifically for my group?
Yes! As well as our listed Discovery Walks, we offer tailor-made walks that can be planned around you and your group, be that in length or difficulty, or because you would like to fouc on a specific area or particular interest. Find our more on our ‘tailor-made Discovery Walks’ page.
How many people can be on a Discovery Walk?
All of our Discovery Walks are private for the people booking it so the number of people on it will be the number in your group. We currently have a maximum of 6 people when booking via the website but if you have a slightly larger group, do get in touch and we may be able to accommodate you.
Can I bring a dog on my Discovery Walk?
Unfortunately dogs are not permitted on our Discovery Walks. This is due to ground nesting birds, livestock & other walkers/countryside users. However, registered assistance dogs are always welcome.