A group of walkers at the foot of Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Walkers enjoying a social walking weekend from Large Outdoors in Malham, Yorkshire Dales

Yorkshire Dales Walking Weekend – Malham 

Experience guided walks in the beautiful Malham region of the Yorkshire Dales. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Dales, forge new friendships, and relax with hearty home-cooked meals, all included in this welcoming and social weekend.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 30
Level: Leisurely & Active walks on offer
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Marvel at Malham’s natural wonders – the limestone amphitheatre and pavements, waterfalls and tarn. 

  • Enjoy a relaxed walking pace as we discover the charms of the Yorkshire Dales. 

  • Home cooked evening meals and packed lunches provided, allowing you to concentrate on enjoying the walking and socialising.

  • The chance to spend time in the fresh air with a friendly bunch of people.

 

Escape to the Yorkshire Dales for a weekend of walks and laughter!

If you feel like you need to escape from everyday life then why not join us for a two-night friendly walking break where we do all of the organising so you can simply let the peaceful Yorkshire Dales surroundings work their magic. 

With its dramatic rocky amphitheatre, intriguing limestone pavements and captivating waterfalls and tarn, Malhamdale offers some of the best backdrops for fabulous walking. 

So with that in mind we’ve based this weekend in the village of Malham and provided the extra ingredients to make a walking weekend even more special for you, including the accommodation, home-cooked meals, route planning and guiding as well as bringing together a lovely group where friendships are readily made.

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • Our base for the weekend is a hostel which is slap bang in the middle of Malham, a pretty village with two pubs, one right next door to us, surrounded by classic Yorkshire Dales scenery – think dry stone walls, meadows, craggy hills, and meandering streams. 

    You are welcome to arrive any time after 5pm, when our Large Outdoors host will be there to welcome you and help you settle in. 

    Introductions over, the group soon bonds as we sit down for an evening meal, prepared by your host and served at 8pm, during which we’ll outline the walks we have planned for the next day.

  • After breakfast we pack up what we want for lunch and then we’re out the door to explore some of the finest scenery that Malhamdale offers. 

    We will aim to have at least two different walk options, which will vary between a Leisurely and more Active grading. Our guides will talk you through the routes they have in mind and advise on which one might be best for you. Some of the options for walking trails include visits to: 

    • Malham Cove – a dramatic amphitheatre shaped cliff topped off by the famous limestone pavement

    • Janet’s Foss – a waterfall that plunges into a clear pool. One of those calming sights which makes you just want to sit down and bathe in the beauty of it all.

    • Gordale Scar – just as Janet’s Foss produces a calming effect so Gordale Scar will induce a bit of an adrenaline rush. This gritty ravine has a boulder-strewn path beside a waterfall that leads to a lake or tarn at the top.

    Walks over, there’s time to simply chill out, whether that involves heading to one of the welcoming pubs, having a cup of tea, or just sitting to admire the views. We will then enjoy a group dinner - prepared by your Large Outdoors host - and chance to sit around and discuss the day’s adventures.

  • There’s something about the fresh air of the Yorkshire Dales that reinvigorates the soul and this morning is a perfect time to put that to the test, particularly if you’ve stayed up late the previous evening chatting to fellow guests. 

    After breakfast and checking out of the hostel, we will again aim to offer at least two different walk options led by our experienced guides, but we’ll aim to finish each one by lunchtime. This then gives you the chance to perhaps join some of your fellow participants in finding a bite to eat or a cuppa before saying farewell and heading home.

    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.

A group of walkers from Large Outdoors standing on an old stone bridge with Malham Cove in the background.

A group of walkers in the Yorkshire Dales with Malham Cove in the background.

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 Malham
    Pennine Way
    Malham
    Skipton
    BD23 4DB

    Parking: There is very limited parking at the hostel, so you will need to park in the main village car park: Chapel Gate Parking, Chapel Gate, Malham, BD23 4DJ. This car park is 0.3 miles (approx. 6 minute walk) from the accommodation.

    The final approach to the hostel is up a steep tarmac country lane, with no pavement. You can either walk from the car park with your luggage, or come to the hostel to drop it off and then go and park in the car park.

    Public Transport:
    YHA Malham is located 7 miles from Settle Train Station, with services to/from Leeds and Carlisle.
    Bus services (limited) are available to/from Skipton.

    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.

    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.

  • We will be staying at YHA Malham a great hostel tucked away in the heart of Malham Village, surrounded by classic limestone scenery and pretty grounds. Wi-Fi is available and there’s a handy drying room.

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

    Accommodation Address:
    YHA Malham
    Pennine Way
    Malham
    Skipton
    BD23 4DB

    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

    All rooms at this hostel are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

  • Included:

    • 2 nights’ accommodation at YHA Malham - we have taken over exclusive use of the hostel’s main building, so it will just be Large Outdoors participants staying.

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

    • Guided walks on two days (Days 2 and 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 for Day 2’s walk. 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 the walk start points and back, where walks don’t start from the door. On some days there could 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.

  • 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.

  • • What level of fitness is needed?
    This trip is graded as Leisurely and Active (subject to participant numbers), as we will definitely offer a Leisurely walk and, subject to participant numbers, will also offer an Active route option. 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. On some days there could 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 trip, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog on an experience, 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.