1. NAVIGATION AND THE OS APP. Generally speaking, following the route notes and checking on your route-marked OS map should be all you need to complete your walks. However, we also find that the Ordnance Survey app is an extremely useful tool to help avoid getting lost on your walk! You can see their maps on your phone and it will use GPS to show an arrow exactly where you are on the map, so it is easy to see if you have gone off track.
We have provided links to the route for each of your walks on your personalised webpage. In order to see them on the detailed map (which is by far the most useful) you will need to sign up to the premium service (either as a 14-day free trail, for £6.99 per month or £34.99 for an annual subscription). This gives you full access to all OS Maps and the ability to plot routes and view routes plotted by others.
2. WALKING NOTES. Detailed walking directions for each day of your trip are included at the end of this pack. We recommend having a read through of the notes before you set off on your walk to give you a better idea of the route and because there are sometimes optional detours etc. and it can be useful to have thought about these alternatives in advance.
4. FOOTPATHS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY. All of our routes are on public footpaths, bridleways or permissive paths. Other than on ‘Access Land’, you should try to avoid deviating from the public paths unless absolutely necessary (it is often grazing land, important to farmers for feeding animals and there is no public right of way).
On Access Land, which is outlined with a thick dark orange line and lightly shaded in dark orange on your OS map, you are allowed to walk freely off the paths (although our routes will not take you off path). However, this is often open moorland so we do recommend caution if you decide to stray off the path – it is easy to lose your way on this terrain and there are often disused mine shafts etc. that need to be avoided.
5. FOOTPATH DAMAGE/CLOSURE. We check our routes regularly to ensure our directions are up to date but there is always a small chance that a footpath/bridge/stile gets damaged or a footpath is closed or rerouted. Do carry your map with you so that you can find the best alternative route if you encounter a problem.
6. COUNTRYSIDE CODE. We encourage all of our customers to treat the countryside with respect and stick to the ‘leave only footprints’ philosophy! For full details of the countryside code, click here.
7. CHANGE OF PLANS. If for any reason you decide to change your plans during your trip and are not going to arrive at your accommodation (e.g. if you have to cut your trip short), please do let us know as we may otherwise think you are missing and involve rescue services.
8. WEATHER CONDITIONS. Do keep an eye on weather conditions. Even in the summer months there can be sudden adverse weather conditions causing poor visibility on higher ground. If you aren’t sure whether to continue with a certain route or need help finding an alternative, lower level option for any day, please do get in touch.
9. ‘WHAT THREE WORDS’. We recommend downloading the ‘What Three Words’ app to your smartphone before your trip. Should you get lost while out walking and require assistance, it is a really simple way for you to be able to pinpoint your location to a 3 metre square and share it with us or the emergency services, and can be easier than trying to work out your six digit grid reference. If you would like any more information about how this works, just let us know.
10. CASH. We suggest you carry a bit of cash with you. Although most businesses will accept card payments, some small rural business only take cash or have a minimum spend on card.
11. OPENING HOURS. If travelling out of the main season (broadly Easter to late October), many businesses will be closed or have limited opening hours, and even during the season some shops and cafes will have one or two days a week that they don’t open. If you are not carrying your food with you and are planning to rely on a specific café/pub as a stop, do check that it will be open when you are there! We do recommend carrying plenty of snacks with you even if you are planning to buy lunch, to make sure you aren’t hungry and in case of emergencies.
12. LIVESTOCK. The landscape you will be walking through is a working environment and much of it is used for livestock grazing. Of course this is part of the charm of the Dales and is unlikely to cause you any issues but, when walking through fields containing livestock (particularly cattle with calves) do keep an eye on their behaviour and avoid walking through the middle of the herd (you are allowed to deviate from footpaths if they are blocked by livestock). Always turn back and find an alternative route if you are not comfortable. The Ramblers provide further advice on walking near livestock here.
13. LAUNDRY. You are unlikely to have time to get any laundry done so we recommend that you bring enough clothes not to make this necessary. As you are having your luggage transferred, weight shouldn’t be an issue.
14. PACKING. The packing list provided is only a guide, you may want to bring some other items with you or leave some things out. We love all things walking gear related so if you have any questions about what to bring with you, please do ask!
15. GUIDED WALKS. If you would like a guide for all or any part of your trip please do get in touch and we can let you know the options.
16. WALK TIMES. The time given for each walk assumes a fairly steady pace but not racing around the routes! Whilst it allows for a few pictures being taken etc., it does not include time for drink and snack stops or lunch, or other leisurely stops, which will be in addition.
17. MOBILE PHONE SIGNAL. While there will be signal for much of your routes, it can be patchy so don’t rely on having it at all times. We always recommend carrying a hard copy map and downloading the relevant section of the map to your phone, if you are using the OS App, so you don’t need to rely on access to mobile data.
18. WALKING WITH DOGS. You are very welcome to bring your dog on a Muddy Boots holiday, but let us know in advance as we will need to ensure that you are in dog-friendly accommodation. Whilst walking, it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that a dog is not a nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people, and a dog should be kept on a lead or under close control while out walking. Do bear in mind that farmers have the right to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals. Hopefully it goes without saying that all dog mess should be picked up and taken away to be disposed of!