Holidays
The Dales Way Guided Trail

The Dales Way Guided Trail

Guided trails in Yorkshire Dales

7 nights

Jun, Aug - Oct

Grades 4

123kg CO2

7 nights from

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Members

From

£1,119

Non-members

From

£1,149

Groups of 10+

or call

020 3974 8865

One of the country’s first unofficial long-distance routes, the Dales Way covers 79 miles from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. Mostly a tree and river-lined route, the views are highly rewarding as you cross two iconic national parks and spend time in postcard-pretty villages. Highlights include Burnsall, Buckden, Gearstones, and Sedbergh.

What You’ll Love

Walking from the Yorkshire Dales to the Lake District
Following riverside and moorland paths
Spending time in picturesque villages and towns
Soaking up spectacular views of Windermere
Keeping your eyes peeled for a variety of wildlife
Staying at Newfield Hall, our country house near Malham

What's Included

Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
Daily packed lunches
Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
All transport to and from walks where necessary

Trip Suitability

This Guided Walking/Hiking Trail is graded 4 which involves walks /hikes over long distances in remote countryside and rough terrain. You will require a good level of fitness as you will be walking every day. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the relevant fitness and equipment required to join this holiday.

Your fitness

This holiday has been designed for experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. Having a solid base of fitness before your holiday will ensure you’ve the best chance of completing the holiday and enjoying it to boot. Here’s a few simple tips to help you get fit and ready for your challenge:

Get out walking – whatever the weather, get out there, and start building your fitness months before your holiday
Build your distance gradually and get a number of 6-8hr hill days in
Ideally, try and do two consecutive days training if possible
Take the stairs every time
Train on different terrain
Train with your day pack and your walking boots too, to ensure they’re well worn in before your holiday
Other sports help improve your walking fitness too. The best ones are jogging, cycling, swimming, which will build your stamina, and yoga which will help strengthen your core and improve balance

Time training will help ensure you enjoy your holiday to the max.

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Close all Expand all

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Commencing its 79-mile journey at the 17th century bridge in Ilkley, the Dales Way follows the Wharfe to skirt the village of Addingham. Beneath Beamsley Beacon the Way reaches Farfield Hall. A stretch of road leads to Bolton Bridge and the Yorkshire Dales National Park is entered as Bolton Priory comes into view. The river becomes a narrow torrent at the Strid, beyond which the path reaches another attractive 17th-century bridge at Barden. It then continues along to Howgill, below Appletreewick and on to the delightful village of Burnsall.

13 miles (20.5km), with 1,100 feet (340m) of ascent.

Passing a limestone escarpment at Loup Scar, the path stays close to the river to reach Grassington, the principal settlement of Upper Wharfedale. The Way then parts company with the river as it ascends above the valley floor. Scenic Wharfedale stretches before us as we continue towards the quaint village of Kettlewell. Keeping close to the floor of the valley once more, the Way continues past Starbotton to Buckden.

14 miles (22.5km), with 1,400 feet (430m) of ascent.

The going gets tougher on today’s walk. The start is easy enough as the river is followed along Langstrothdale to Hubberholme, Yockenthwaite and Deepdale before we join a metalled road for a short distance to Oughtershaw. From here the track changes to a moorland path which climbs to join the Pennine Way for a short stretch beyond Cam Houses. At over 1,600 feet, this wild moorland is the highest point of the walk. However, the Way soon descends to the main road above Gearstones where we meet our coach.

12½ miles (20km), with 1,400 feet (420m) of ascent.

Today we sample the delights of Dentdale, access to which is gained by passing through a viaduct on the Carlisle to Settle railway. Largely following riverside paths by the Dee, the unspoilt village of Dent is reached. The Way continues to Dillicar and joins an ancient bridleway to Millthrop with magnificent views over Sedbergh to the fells beyond.

14 miles (23km), with 1,100 feet (340m) of ascent.

Beyond Sedbergh the Dales Way crosses the A683 and proceeds to join the River Lune which it follows to Crook of Lune. Leaving the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the path then crosses the M6 motorway and the main west coast railway line to meander through pastoral countryside to Patton Bridge, passing Black Moss and Skelsmergh Tarns, and emerging on the A6 just south of Garth Row.

14 miles (22.5km), with 1,400 feet (420m) of ascent.

The final stage is a fitting climax to the walk. Burneside is soon reached and the path follows the River Kent to Cowan Head and Hagg Foot and some craggy embankments must be negotiated before Staveley is reached. Now in the Lake District National Park, the Dales Way makes its way by tracks and lanes to Fell Plain before climbing to Crag House and Outrun Nook. Shortly the panorama of Windermere and the Lakeland Fells comes into view as we head to Bowness.

11 miles (18km), with 1,150 feet (340m) of ascent.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

Download trip notes

Daily Walk Options

Medium Walks

Long distances in remote countryside and on rough terrain. You can expect some sustained ascents and descents; there may be occasional sections of scree and steep ground.

Accommodation

Newfield Hall

Looking every inch the baronial mansion, Newfield Hall sits in two acres of grounds near the village of Malham at the southern base of Yorkshire Dales National Park. Given it was this very landscape which inspired Wordsworth to write a sonnet and Charles Kingsley to pen The Water Babies, the countryside views are as gorgeous as you’d imagine. You’ll also have plenty of sightseeing greats within easy travelling distance, most notably Malham Tarn, Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Cove, and The Dry Valley of the Watlowes. And then, of course, there’s Yorkshire’s famous trio of summits: Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, collectively known as the three peaks. Stay at Newfield Hall and experience the exceptional service of a VisitEngland ROSE award winner. Find out more about the latest accolade awarded to our country house in the Southern Yorkshire Dales by reading our latest blog.

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.

Check in & check out

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

• 46 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 61 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • Free Wi-Fi • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • Travel cot & 2 high chairs • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Two lounges • Garden • HF Holidays Heritage Room • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Newfield Hall has 46 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

We love: The guest rooms spread across the main building and the tastefully converted coach house. Rooms 3 and 6 are both corner rooms offering original features and large bay windows overlooking the gardens and beyond (Room 6 has its own telescope).

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.

Room supplements

Superior	Premium single	Premium double/twin	Choose your room
£25 pppn	£20 pppn	£20 pppn	£30 per room

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Newfield Hall

View more details View holidays here

More Information

Carbon Footprint - 123kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: MDL07-LDD01

2026

Back to dates

Fri 5 Jun – Fri 12 Jun 2026

Trip Note Download

Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Price - Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

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020 3974 8865

Single Supplement

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Itinerary: 7 Nights - Guided Trail

Trip Type: Guided trails

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

Fri 14 Aug – Fri 21 Aug 2026

Trip Note Download

Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Price - Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Supplement

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Itinerary: 7 Nights - Guided Trail

Trip Type: Guided trails

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

Fri 16 Oct – Fri 23 Oct 2026

Trip Note Download

Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Price - Land Only

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Single Supplement

Members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Non-members

Call to Enquire

020 3974 8865

Itinerary: 7 Nights - Guided Trail

Trip Type: Guided trails

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

The Dales Way Guided Trail

What You’ll Love

What's Included

Trip Suitability

Itinerary

Daily Walk Options