self-guided walking holiday in swaledale - 4 nights
Head for the more remote valleys of the northern Dales to explore fast-flowing rivers, stunning hay meadows, traditional villages and fascinating mining remains. Spend your first day crossing the wild, open moorland between Arkengarthdale and Swaledale before enjoying a classic exploration of upper Swaledale, with its waterfalls and welcoming little villages. Your third day takes you along the Swale to popular Reeth before heading up to Fremington Edge for views back over much of your route.
SUMMARY
Number of nights: 4
Price: From £460 per person (based on two people sharing a double or twin room)
Amount of walking: Three days of hotel-to-hotel walking of 10.5 miles (17km, ascent 794m), 9 miles (15km, ascent 638m) and 10 miles (16km, ascent 660m)
Difficulty level: 8/10 (fairly challenging)
Terrain: A mixture of rugged, exposed moorland, hillside gills, gentle riverside walking, old mining remains and several of Swaledale’s small but perfectly formed villages!
Accommodation: An 18th century inn deep in the Arkengarthdale countryside, offering great food, cosy nooks and crannies, lovely rooms and fantastic views (nights 1 and 4); 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 (night 2); and a 17th century inn in the heart of Swaledale with well preserved original features combined with a contemporary feel, great rooms and tasty food (night 3). 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 - Settle into a fantastic country pub in upper-Arkengarthdale, with lovely rooms, great food and wonderful views of the surrounding scenery. If you would like to stretch your legs before jour journey begins you can enjoy a gentle stroll along Arkle Beck before returning to the inn for a delicious dinner.
Day 2 - Today takes you across the wild, open moorland between Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, covering remote moorland lanes, tumbling gills and the fascinating lead mining remains of Gunnerside Gill. The end of the walk takes you past the beautiful waterfalls on the edge of the village of Keld, before a short sharp climb to the top of the village and your base for the night.
Day 3 - After the high moors of yesterday, today’s long but gentle route along the valley provides a wonderful contrast. Begin with the only climb of the day, up Kisdon Hill, which offers wonderful views down Swaledale as you descend into the pretty village of Muker. From here, the route tracks the upper reaches of the River Swale down the valley, through traditional hay meadows before arriving at your base for the night in the tiny village of Low Row.
Day 4 - Today you continue east along Swaledale, first along the edge of the moor, with lovely views across the valley, before dropping into the pretty village of Healaugh and following the River Swale to the bustling village of Reeth, where there are some great lunch stops! You then head steeply uphill before following Fremington Edge into Arkengarthdale
Day 5 - Enjoy a last full breakfast at your inn before heading home, maybe via a quick stop at the bakery in Reeth to stock up on goodies!
“I had a wonderful trip and thank you for arranging it on such short notice. All the information and communication was very clear and the service provided, accommodation and walk route notes all get 10/10!”
what’s included
Four nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis;
Luggage transfer;
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 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.
If you would like a longer holiday, this trip can easily be combined with ‘Wensleydale and its Tributaries’ to make a 6, 7 or 8 night trip.