Christmas & New Year’s Eve
Yorkshire Dales Walking Break – New Year in the Dales
Join Large Outdoors for a sociable New Year walking break in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, based in the lovely village of Kettlewell. Over three days we’ll head out each day to explore classic Dales landscapes, from wide limestone valleys and historic villages to quiet moorland viewpoints.
Evenings are relaxed and social back at the hostel with hearty meals, good company, and time to celebrate the arrival of the New Year together. It’s a simple and friendly way to welcome the year ahead with fresh air, good walks, and a welcoming group of fellow walkers.
Trip Overview:
Experience Type: Walking Holidays
Location: Yorkshire Dales
Duration: 4 nights
Group Size: Up to 40
Walking Grades: Leisurely & Active
During this trip we will aim to offer two walking options each day, allowing you to choose the level that suits you best. The evening before each walking day your host will outline the options available, and you can simply sign up for the walk that takes your interest.
Walking Grade: Leisurely
Steady-paced, sociable walking with manageable distances and varied terrain, allowing time for breaks and to enjoy the surroundings.
Walking Grade: Active
Energetic hill days often aiming for a summit or clear objective, with sustained ascent and longer, more physically demanding routes.
See our full walking grade guide.
Accommodation: Hostel
Transport: Not Included
Meals: Breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals included
Price: From £495 per person
Room types available: Shared Same Sex Dorms
A sociable New Year exploring the Yorkshire Dales.
This New Year walking break is all about spending a few days exploring the Yorkshire Dales together and welcoming the New Year in good company.
Over three full days of walking we’ll head out to explore some of the best landscapes the Dales has to offer. Each evening your host will outline the options for the following day’s walks, and you can simply choose the one that suits you best.
On most days we will offer two walk options:
A leisurely walk, ideal for those who want a relaxed day out enjoying the scenery and villages of the Dales.
A more active walk, heading a little higher or covering more distance for those wanting a bigger day on the hills.
The Yorkshire Dales offers a huge variety of walking routes, and your host will choose the best options based on weather conditions and the group.
The Walks
With Kettlewell as our base, we are perfectly placed to explore Wharfedale and the surrounding Dales.
One day might see us heading up onto the hills above the village for a classic Dales summit such as Great Whernside, where wide views open out across Wharfedale and the surrounding limestone landscape.
Another day could involve following the valley paths along the River Wharfe towards the lively market town of Grassington, now well known as the filming location for the TV series All Creatures Great and Small. These walks combine gentle valley scenery with charming villages, dry-stone walls, and welcoming cafés along the way.
The area is packed with options, from classic Dales valleys and limestone terraces to high moorland viewpoints. Over the course of the break we’ll simply spend our time exploring the Yorkshire Dales together, choosing some of the best walks available for the weather and conditions.
Please note that on some days we may need to drive a short distance to the start of a walk, as transport is not provided. When this happens we usually arrange simple car sharing within the group.
Time Together
This trip has a wonderfully sociable feel, and we’ll have full use of Kettlewell Hostel throughout our stay.
You are welcome to arrive from 17:00 on the first evening, where your host will meet and greet you. It’s a relaxed start to the trip and a great chance to meet your fellow walkers before dinner.
Downstairs you’ll find a large dining and social space where we’ll gather for meals and spend time together in the evenings. Upstairs there’s a cosy lounge with an open fire — the perfect place to relax after a day out walking.
Dinner on the first evening will be served in the hostel and is a great opportunity to get to know the group. As always with Large Outdoors, the meal will be a hearty one-pot dish followed by our famous cheese board.
No alcohol is provided, but you are very welcome to bring your own drinks — whether that’s wine, beer, or your favourite tipple to enjoy during the evening.
Breakfast each morning is served in the communal dining area before we head out for the day’s walks.
Each evening we return to the hostel for another relaxed and sociable night together, with a two-course dinner included each evening. It’s time to unwind, chat about the day’s adventures, and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with your fellow walkers.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve itself will be a relaxed and sociable evening spent together at the hostel.
After a day out walking in the Dales we’ll return to Kettlewell Hostel to settle in for the evening. Dinner will be served in the dining room, giving everyone a chance to sit down together, chat about the day’s adventures and enjoy the final evening of the year with the group.
Later in the evening we’ll keep things simple and informal as we gather in the lounge or dining area, perhaps with the fire going upstairs, sharing drinks and conversation while the countdown to midnight approaches.
There’s no formal party or dress code — just a friendly atmosphere and a chance to welcome the New Year in good company.
Of course, there is absolutely no pressure to stay up until midnight. If you prefer an early night after a day of walking, you are very welcome to head off to bed whenever suits you.
For those who do stay up, we’ll see in the New Year together before heading off to bed, ready for another day exploring the Yorkshire Dales the following morning.
Our Base – Kettlewell Hostel
We’ll be staying at Kettlewell Hostel, right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
The hostel recently won Hostel of the Year at the Great Outdoors Awards 2026, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a welcoming and comfortable place to stay, with plenty of space for groups and a warm atmosphere that makes it perfect for sociable walking trips.
Large Outdoors has stayed here many times before and it’s always been a favourite base. The owners are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the hostel offers a great mix of character, comfort, and social space.
The Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is one of England’s most loved walking areas, known for its wide valleys, limestone hills, and timeless villages.
Dry-stone walls stretch across the landscape, rivers wind through the valleys, and quiet tracks connect villages that have changed little over the centuries. It’s a place where walking naturally becomes part of the day, whether you’re following a riverside path, climbing onto the moors, or simply wandering between villages.
Kettlewell sits right in the heart of Wharfedale, making it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding Dales. From here we can easily reach classic Yorkshire landscapes, historic market towns, and some of the most enjoyable walking in northern England.
Spending a few winter days here offers a wonderful way to welcome the New Year — fresh air, quiet landscapes, and the chance to explore one of the country’s great walking regions.
Essential Information
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You are welcome to arrive from 17:00, where your host will meet you and help get you checked in. This is a relaxed time to settle in, meet your fellow walkers and get comfortable before the trip begins.
Our base for the trip is:
Kettlewell Hostel
Whernside House
Kettlewell
North Yorkshire
BD23 5QUDinner will be served in the hostel at around 20:00 on the first evening. If you expect to arrive later than this, please eat before you arrive.
There is limited parking around the hostel, which is mainly on-street parking in the village. Parking is free, but please ensure you park considerately and avoid blocking any drives or access points.
There is no train station collection on this trip, and no transport is included during the break, so participants will need their own transport.
On the final morning we will pack up and leave the hostel after breakfast. There are no walks planned on the final day, allowing everyone to head home at a relaxed time.
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We will be staying at:
Kettlewell Hostel
Whernside House
Kettlewell
North Yorkshire
BD23 5QUKettlewell Hostel is a comfortable and welcoming base in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, offering plenty of shared social space and a relaxed atmosphere that works perfectly for group walking trips.
Room Types
Accommodation on this trip is in shared dorm-style rooms. You will be sharing a room with a number of other participants.
Rooms vary in size, with the largest room sleeping up to six people, while most rooms sleep three or four people.
Beds are a mixture of bunk beds and single beds, and all bedrooms share same-sex bathroom facilities located nearby.
This style of accommodation helps keep the trip friendly and sociable, and is a common format for many Large Outdoors walking breaks.
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Included
Accommodation (4 nights)
Guided walking on 3 days
4 breakfasts
4 evening meals
3 packed lunches
Tea & coffee
Bedding
Not Included
Travel to the meeting point
Transport during the trip
Meals not listed above
Personal purchases
Insurance
Towels (please bring your own)
Dietary Information
We can provide vegetarian and vegan meals, along with dishes made using gluten-free or dairy-free ingredients. Please select your dietary preference at checkout.
Meals are prepared in shared kitchens and served in a group setting. While we take care when preparing food, we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate severe allergies or highly specialised dietary requirements. If you have a medical food allergy, please contact us before booking so we can advise whether the trip is suitable.
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Please refer to our Residential Walking Kit List.
The compulsory items listed are required for safety and comfort. Every participant must carry the required kit during walks.
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If your trip is more than 12 weeks away, you can secure your place with a 20% deposit.
The balance is due 12 weeks before travel.
If booking within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
We don’t offer automated instalment plans, but you’re welcome to make ad-hoc payments towards your balance at any time. Simply email hello@largeoutdoors.com with your order number and the amount you’d like to pay, and we’ll send you a secure payment link.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you have suitable travel insurance covering cancellation, medical and emergency expenses, and personal accident.
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Dogs are not permitted on this trip, except for trained assistance dogs. Please contact us in advance if you intend to travel with an assistance dog.
Still have questions?
See our full FAQ page for general booking and trip information.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.