Yorkshire Dales Walking Weekend – Malham Cove & Grassington
Enjoy a friendly, sociable hotel-based break exploring two of the most iconic Yorkshire Dales villages: Malham and Grassington. With guided leisurely walks and a relaxed atmosphere, this car-free experience is designed to help you switch off, make new friends, and discover classic Dales scenery without any hassle.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 Nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Transport: Car-Free Trips
Group Size: Maximum 8
Level: Leisurely
Check Dates & Book Your Place
Select a date to check availability, room options and prices.
Upcoming departure dates
Friday 19 - Sunday 21 March 2027
Deposits – Pay a 20% deposit when booking more than 12 weeks before departure. The remaining balance is due 12 weeks before departure.
Escape to the Yorkshire Dales for a sociable, car-free break of walking and exploring!
If you’re looking for an easy way to enjoy time away, our two-night guided break makes it simple. We do all the planning so you can enjoy the landscape, the local villages, and great company.
This beak is based around two of the Dales’ most famous spots. Malham is home to the dramatic limestone amphitheatre of Malham Cove, the pretty waterfall at Janet’s Foss, and the rugged beauty of Gordale Scar. Grassington, meanwhile, is a classic Dales market town known for cobbled streets, shops and cafés, and as the filming location for All Creatures Great and Small.
Add in hotel accommodation, breakfast each morning, planned routes, free station pick-up and all local travel – and you’ve got a relaxed, sociable walking break designed to help you switch off and enjoy.
Suggested Itinerary
Please note: Routes and timings may change depending on weather or other factors – your host will keep you updated!
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Your Yorkshire Dales adventure begins with a warm welcome. If you're arriving by train, we'll collect you from Gargrave station at 17:00, making your journey easy and stress-free. Prefer to drive yourself? You're welcome to head straight to the hotel and check in from 15:00.
Once you’ve settled into your room, feel free to relax before meeting your Large Outdoors host in the bar from 18:00. It’s a perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow walkers in a friendly, informal setting, ask any questions, and hear about the weekend’s plans.
Dinner will be in the hotel restaurant, so even if you arrive a little later you can simply pop down to join the group when you're ready. The first evening is all about easing in, enjoying good food and conversation, and setting the tone for a sociable weekend ahead.
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After a hearty breakfast buffet at the hotel – with cooked and lighter options to suit everyone – we’ll head out together for the day’s adventure. A short 20-minute drive in our minibus takes us to the village of Malham, right at the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Our leisurely 8-mile walk is designed to showcase some of the area’s most celebrated scenery at a relaxed, enjoyable pace. We’ll begin by wandering through the village itself before striking out towards Janet’s Foss, a beautiful woodland waterfall steeped in local legend about the fairy queen who lives there.
Finally, we’ll make our way to the iconic Malham Cove, a huge limestone amphitheatre that rises above the landscape in sweeping, curved cliffs. It’s topped with the famous limestone pavement, its cracked, weathered blocks forming a unique, natural pattern. You might even recognise the setting from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where it served as one of the film’s memorable backdrops.
We’ll take time to enjoy the scenery, chat with the group, and learn a little about the area’s remarkable geology and history. After the walk, there’s the chance to pause in Malham village for a post-walk drink or snack before we return to the hotel to freshen up.
The evening will see us heading out to a local pub for dinner. Your host will handle the driving, leaving you free to relax and enjoy a sociable meal with new friends.
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Our final day begins with another delicious hotel breakfast to set us up for the morning’s walk. We’ll then head in the van to the charming market town of Grassington, famous for its cobbled streets, independent shops, and role as the filming location for All Creatures Great and Small.
Today’s walk is a gentle 6-mile route that really brings out the varied beauty of this part of the Dales. We’ll begin by exploring Grass Wood, an ancient limestone woodland and National Nature Reserve that offers peaceful trails beneath a canopy of trees and hints of the region’s wildlife.
From there, we’ll pick up the River Wharfe and follow its scenic banks. The route leads us to Linton Falls, where the river tumbles over a series of cascades in a lovely spot that’s ideal for pausing to take it all in.
We’ll finish back in Grassington itself with time to wander, browse the local shops, and soak up the town’s friendly atmosphere. The plan is to enjoy a relaxed group lunch in one of the local cafés or pubs (not included), rounding off the weekend in good company.
For those returning by train, we’ll then drive you back to Gargrave station for around 16:00 for your onward journey home. As always we recommend purchasing an open return.
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: from 15:00
The Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation and will meet you in the bar from 18:00.
Meeting Location:
Premier Inn Skipton North (Gargrave)
Hellifield Rd,
Gargrave,
Skipton
BD23 3NBParking:
Free parking available at the hotel.Public Transport:
Gargrave Train station is 0.8 miles away from the hotel. We will be offering a free collection at 17:00.Finish Time:
We aim to finish on the final day around 16:00. 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 are staying at the Premier Inn Skipton North (Gargrave), a modern and comfortable hotel conveniently located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, providing an ideal base for our weekend.
Premier Inn Skipton North (Gargrave)
Hellifield Rd,
Gargrave,
Skipton
BD23 3NBRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Single Occupancy Double
Twin / Double RoomWe have arranged accommodation in twin or double rooms at this venue. Shared rooms will be same-sex twin rooms, where you’ll share with another participant. Alternatively, you can book a double room for single occupancy or a double room for two people sharing a double bed.
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Included:
2 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation in the Premier Inn.
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).
All you can eat breakfast buffet supplied by the hotel.
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. Either the hotel or Gargrave Train Station.
Evening meals in the hotel
Packed lunches, we will stop at a local shop to collect packed lunches.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
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.
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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.
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What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Leisurely. 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.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.
Check Dates & Book Your Place
Select a date to check availability, room options and prices.
Upcoming departure dates
Friday 19 - Sunday 21 March 2027
Deposits – Pay a 20% deposit when booking more than 12 weeks before departure. The remaining balance is due 12 weeks before departure.
