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Social Walking Weekend in the North Pennines - Guided Walks & Waterfalls

Join Large Outdoors for a relaxed and social weekend of guided walks in the beautiful North Pennines and Upper Teesdale, featuring the stunning High Force Waterfall, cosy accommodation, and all-inclusive meals.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 30
Level: Leisurely & Active  (subject to participant numbers)
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Expert Guided Walks: Explore great walking routes around the North Pennines and Upper Teesdale with our knowledgeable guides.

  • All-Inclusive: Enjoy two nights in a cosy YHA hostel (Single and Twin Rooms available), with breakfasts and dinners, plus a packed lunch for Saturday provided.

  • Social and Fun: Make new friends in a relaxed and friendly environment.

  • Wellness Boost: Energise your mind and body with fresh air and beautiful scenery.

 

Book today…

Join Large Outdoors for a fun and social walking weekend in the North Pennines National Landscape.

Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and join us for a relaxed, social walking weekend in the stunning North Pennines and Upper Teesdale. Our expert guides will lead you through some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in England, including a visit to the spectacular High Force Waterfall. This weekend is perfect for those looking to boost their wellness, enjoy the great outdoors, and make new friends along the way.

The North Pennines is one of the most unspoilt areas in England, lying between the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland. As a UNESCO Global Geopark, it boasts outstanding geological heritage, diverse habitats, and breathtaking views shaped by glaciation and natural forces. From haymeadows and juniper woods to limestone grasslands and blanket bogs, the variety of landscapes is truly remarkable.

We'll be staying in a cosy YHA hostel with our group having exclusive use, ensuring a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. All meals are provided, so you can focus on enjoying the walks and the company. Whether you're a seasoned walker or just looking for a fun weekend away, this event promises to be a delightful experience.

Your Large Outdoors host will help you settle in and introduce you to your fellow walkers, who you’ll share the wonderfully sociable Leisurely Plus or Active (see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels above) walks with over the weekend. It’s time to explore a new area and enjoy the breath of fresh air and leg-stretch on offer in this often overlooked region.

Suggested Itinerary

  • Arrive at our accommodation for the weekend, Langdon Beck YHA, any time after 5pm. Your Large Outdoors host will be there to greet you, allowing you to soak in the beauty of the local surroundings.

    A two-course dinner will be served at 8pm, prepared by your host. During dinner, we’ll discuss the plans for the weekend ahead. The rest of the evening is yours to get to know the other participants before a good night’s sleep, ready for tomorrow’s walk.

  • After breakfast, we’ll pack up our lunches and lace up our boots for a day of walking and conversation with fellow participants.

    We aim to offer a Leisurely and an Active walk today (see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels here), you can simply sign up the night before for the walk you fancy doing, subject to participant numbers.

    You could embark on a 15 mile (24km) loop starting from the hostel. This will includes walk down to Harwood Beck, following it to the River Tees. Crossing the river, we’ll follow the Pennine Way to Bleabeck Force Waterfall. We then trace the stream up to a bridleway and Birk Rigg, near the summit of Cronkley Fell. From this vantage point, if it’s clear, we might be able to see Roseberry Topping on the edge of the North York Moors, just shy of 50 miles (75km) away!

    Alternatively, there’s an 8 mile route which takes the Pennine Way alongside the north bank of the River Tees, reaching Cauldron Snout, the longest river in the UK. We’ll follow it to the dam at Cow Green Reservoir, the largest reserve of wild Brown Trout in the North East. We’ll continue along the track until we reach the tarmac, which takes us almost to the village before cutting back across the moorland to the hostel.

    After returning to our accommodation, you are welcome to relax and freshen up before a sociable group dinner, prepared by your Large Outdoors host.

  • Enjoy another breakfast before packing up and checking out of our accommodation. We’ll then head off for another walk.

    We’ll likely take a short drive to the starting point of a lovely 6 mile (10km) waterfall walk, using a mixture of tracks, moorland, and woodland footpaths. We’ll cross the Tees to follow it up to our first waterfall of the day, Low Force. Continuing along the Pennine Way, we’ll reach High Force Waterfall, widely regarded as one of the most spectacular waterfalls in England. We’ll then retrace our steps to cross the Tees before visiting Summerhill Force, where we’ll look for Gibson’s Cave lurking behind it.

    After the walk, it’s time to say farewell to your new walking buddies before heading home. We hope you’ll leave having enjoyed exploring a new area and looking forward to another Large Outdoors adventure in the near future.

    Please note: On some days, there might be a short drive required to reach the starting point of activities that don’t begin at the accommodation. Transport is not included, and participants usually car share.

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: from 5pm
    You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

    Meeting Location:
    YHA Langdon Beck
    Forest-in-Teesdale
    Barnard Castle
    DL12 0XN

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    Parking: There is free parking available at the accommodation and the car park is on the left of the driveway as you go through the gates. A concrete driveway leads to the hostel but please note there is no turning circle at the top, so only drive up there if essential, as returning to the car park involves reversing down the drive.

    Public Transport: The accommodation is located 30 miles from Darlington Train Station, with services on the East Coast Mainline to/from London, Edinburgh and Penzance.

    Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

    Please Note: on some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

  • We will stay at the YHA’s Langdon Beck for this weekend. Sitting at 380m above sea level, the hostel offers panoramic views of the surrounding valley as well as an incredible view of the stars on clear night.

    Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    Accommodation Address:
    Meeting Location:
    YHA Langdon Beck
    Forest-in-Teesdale
    Barnard Castle
    DL12 0XN

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Twin Room (bunk beds, shared bathroom)
    Single Room (shared bathroom)

    Rooms at Langdon Beck are mainly Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). There are also some Twin Rooms - with bunk beds - sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are shared). Single Rooms are for one participant and make use of a bunk bed (bathrooms are shared).

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.

  • Included:

    • 2 nights’ hostel accommodation.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on 2 days (Day 2 and Day 3).

    • Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

    • Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

    • Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not Included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. There will be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This experience is rated as Leisurely Plus. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    • Can I attend on my own?
    Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    • I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
    Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

    • What transport is provided during this trip?
    We do not provide any transport for this experience. There may be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

    • Can I bring my dog?
    Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.