self-guided walking holiday in the CUMBRIAN DALES - 4 nights
This route explores the peaceful fells of the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Spend your first full day heading for the summit of brooding Wild Boar Fell, with views over much of the western Dales, the Eden Valley and the Howgill Fells. Your second day is a full-length traverse across the distinctive Howgill Fells to reach the ‘book town’ of Sedbergh. Your final day’s walk takes you over moorland and along gentle riverside paths in Dentdale, complete with a stop in picturesque Dent.
The food is as much a highlight as the walking on this trip, with fantastic dishes using lots of local produce on offer at both hotels.
summary
Number of nights: 4
Price: From £520 per person (based on two people sharing a double or twin room)
Difficulty Level: 9/10 (challenging)
Amount of walking: 1 day of hotel to hotel walking of 12.5 miles (20km, ascent 767m), and two circular day walks of 12 miles (19km, ascent 630m) and 11.5 miles (18km, ascent 430m)
Terrain: A wide range including the wide open fells of the Howgills, classic farmland, rugged moorland, gentle riverside paths, and one of the Dales’ highest mountains! Paths over the moors can be boggy in places.
Accommodation: A charming country inn in the picturesque conservation village of Ravenstonedale, packed with character, with both a cosy bar and award winning restaurant (nights 1 and 2); and a recently renovated coaching inn in the heart of Sedbergh, with beautiful contemporary interiors and superb restaurant offering high-end fusion dining - a mix of Japanese and classic Yorkshire! (nights 3 and 4). For full details of the accommodation included on each of our routes see our accommodation page.
Contact us to book this trip or find out more
itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive at your base of Ravenstonedale and settle into a lovely country inn, brimming with character. Relax in the inn’s idyllic riverside garden (with resident red squirrels!), take a walk around the lovely village or even enjoy a game of golf or tennis! If you want to stretch your legs, try the short circuit to the Smardale Nature Reserve, where the beautiful scenery and disused railway viaduct makes for a rewarding short walk.
Day 2 - Spend your first full day tackling the distinctive mountain of Wild Boar Fell, the 5th highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales. On a clear day the far-reaching views from the summit plateau are outstanding. Descend off the fell to the north for more fantastic views, this time over the Eden Valley and North Pennines (with the option of a short detour to visit the little ruins of Pendragon Castle) and follow ‘Tommy Road’ to return to Ravenstonedale.
Day 3 - Today’s walk takes you right across the spine of the Howgill Fells, providing stunning views over the whole Howgills range, as well as over much of the Yorkshire Dales and the mountains of the Lake District. On leaving Ravenstonedale, spend the first half of the walk steadily gaining ground along a broad ridge plateau all the way to the high point of the Howgills at The Calf (taking in the summits of West Fell and Hazelgill Knott) before dropping down into the charming ‘book town’ of Sedbergh.
Day 4 - Your last full day takes you into pretty Dentdale, with remote moorland and great views on the outward leg to reach Dent. This quintessential Yorkshire Dales’ village (even though these days it is actually in Cumbria!) is a delight to explore with its cobbled streets and rich cultural history. Gentler riverside walking along the Dales Way takes you most of the way back to Sedbergh before a final incline allows you to end your day with more beautiful views, this time over the Lune Valley, back to the Howgills and with a last glimpse of the Lake District!
Day 5 - Enjoy a last breakfast at your hotel before taking a taxi back to Ravenstonedale to collect your car and head home (or travelling back to the train station to catch your train).
“The routes included on this trip were absolutely outstanding - we loved them all! The route notes provided were spot on and it was great to feel that we were exploring areas that don’t see many crowds. We all enjoyed the fantastic food and drink available at our accommodation at the end of each day out in the hills!”
what’s included
Four nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis;
Luggage transfer;
Transport from your last hotel to your first hotel to collect your car (if travelling by train, contact us to discuss options);
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
Room or hotel upgrades.
Packed lunches (or order these the night before at your accommodation).
Additional nights accommodation.
A personal guide for some or all of your trip.