MUDDY BOOTS’ GUIDED Walks in the lake district and yorkshire dales
Get the most out of your time in the Yorkshire Dales or Lake District with a private guided walk - choose one of our favourite walks from the options below or get in touch for a guided walk tailored to your requirements!
All of our guided walks are led by Muddy Boots’ co-founder, Matt, a qualified hiking guide, so whether it’s your first time in the area, you’re looking to get off the beaten track, are new to hiking, would like support with a challenge walk or simply want to learn a bit more about the area, he can arrange a guided walk to suit you. (Find out more about Matt here).
See the suggestions below for some of our favourite walks, with options perfect for those new to the area, which can be booked online. Alternatively, get in touch so we can plan a route to fit in with your interests and your requirements for distance, difficulty and location.
How much is a private guided walk?
Costs vary depending on specific details but as a guide, costs are:
- Half day walk (3 hours) - £100 for a group of up to six people
- Longer walk (6 hours) - £150 for a group of up to six people
- Full day walk (8 hours) - £175 for a group of up to six people
Contact us with any questions or specific requirements!
For some inspiration, have a look at the selection of some our favourite walks in the Lakes and Dales below. These walks allow you to explore our favourite secret spots, uncover the stories and characteristics that define the area and, most importantly, have a fun day out!
We have many, many other options as well so drop us a line to let us know what appeals to you and we can arrange your day to fit in with exactly what you’re looking for!
INTRODUCTION TO THE DALES (WEnsleydale - Yorkshire Dales)
A great way to start your trip to the Dales to ensure you get the most out of your visit. This gentle but incredibly varied walk starts in Aysgarth and takes in gushing waterfalls, pretty riverside, traditional farmland littered with dry stone walls, field barns and walled tracks, and one of the prettiest villages in the Dales!
Your guide will give you a brief introduction to the history, geology and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales, so you come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the area.
Distance: 5 miles/8km
Difficulty: 2/5 (fairly gentle)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: £100 for up to 6 people
Introduction to the Lake District (Grasmere - Lake District)
A wonderful half day walk in the central Lake District. Starting from the village of Grasmere, we’ll quickly get out onto the fellside and show you why this area of the Lakes is so well loved!
The route does a complete circuit of Grasmere lake taking in ancient woodland, open fellside paths, gentle lakeshore walking, quiet country lanes, and stunning views throughout!
Finishing back in the village of Grasmere, there are plenty of great places to enjoy a well-earned rest. You could also choose to visit Dove Cottage, Allen Bank (both former homes of William Wordsworth) or treat yourself to the famous Grasmere gingerbread!
Distance: 4.5 miles/7.5km
Difficulty: 2/5 (a couple of short sections with an incline, but generally easy walking)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: £100 for up to 6 people
An Introduction to peak bagging! (Loughrigg Fell - Lake District)
Looking for that on top of the world feeling but not sure where to start? The ascent of Loughrigg Fell is a great first ‘mini-mountain’ to whet your appetite for bagging the famous Lake District summits!
At only 335m in elevation, it is relatively achieveable but, as it stands apart from the surrounding fells, the 360 degree views from the summit are outstanding. You’ll enjoy views over Windermere, Loughrigg Tarn, Elterwater, Esthwaite Water and Grasmere as well as many surrounding fells including the Fairfield Horseshoe, the Langdale Pikes, the Crinkle Crags and Heron Pike, among others!
Let this be the first of many summits to come!
Distance: 6 miles/10km
Difficulty: 3/5
Duration: 4 hours
Price: £120 for up to six people
Malham’s Stunning limestone scenery (MALHAM - Yorkshire Dales)
A full day exploring the unique landscape around Malham. A great introduction to the Yorkshire Dales that will allow you to understand more about the landscape as you explore other parts of the Dales.
Hear about some of the history and geology of this stunning area and take in the famous sights of Malham Cove, Malham Tarn, Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar.
Even in this popular area you will find you get some areas to yourself as you cross limestone strewn moorland and head through a fascinating ‘dry valley’.
Distance: 8 miles/13km (extended route option available)
Difficulty: 3/5 (moderate with short sections of fairly steep incline and steep stone steps to descend)
Duration: 5 hours
Price: £150 for up to six people
The Langdale Valleys (Great and Little Langdale - Lake District)
A wonderfully varied day’s walking in the central Lake District. This is a full exploration of the Great and Little Langdale Valleys and has a real ‘in the hills’ feel, without having to climb too high! The route takes in two sparkling tarns, pretty woodland, an old slate quarry to explore (including a look into the famous Cathedral Cavern), probably the Lake District’s most picturesque packhorse bridge, and lots of stunning views in between!
It is a great route for getting a really good introduction to the history and geology of the Lake District, whilst taking in some of the most beautiful scenery in the area.
Distance: 8.5 miles/13.5km
Difficulty: 3/5 (moderate but a fairly long route with short sections of fairly steep incline)
Duration: 6 hours
Price: £150 for up to six people
Ullswater, Gowbarrow and Aira Force (Ullswater - Lake District)
Start your day strolling through the pretty woodland surrounding Aira Beck and admire the impressive Aira Force as you gradually gain height to emerge on the open fellside.
A steeper section takes you to ‘Airy Crag’ the summit of Gowbarrow Fell, where you can enjoy lovely views over the northern fells. The descent loops around the side of the fell passing ‘memorial seat’ from where there is a stunning view down the length of Ullswater.
Distance: 4.5 miles/7km
Difficulty: 3/5
Duration: 3 hours
Price: £100 for up to six people
Exploring Kisdon Gorge (Swaledale - Yorkshire Dales)
Enjoy an absolultey classic circuit of Kisdon Gorge in upper Swaledale.
Starting from the village of Muker, the outward leg starts with gentle walking along the River Swale before heading uphill to see the stunningly situated ruins of Crackpot Hall.
Pass pretty East Gill Force and pop into the remote, hillside village of Keld before heading up the slopes of Kisdon Hill for stunning views back into the gorge and along Swaledale on the return to Muker.
Distance: 6.5 miles/10.5km (450m ascent)
Difficulty: 3/5 (moderate - good paths throughout, some flat gentle walking with a couple of hills).
Duration: 4 hours
Price: £120 for up to six people
If none of these options suit what you are looking for, get in touch to arrange a guided walk tailored to your requirements - we cover all areas of the Lakes and Dales and a range of difficulties, suitable for those with no previous hiking experience wanting to get out in the countryside all the way up to those looking for a challenging mountain hike!
“I went for the “Introduction to the Dales” walk with Matt in Grassington and it was absolutely amazing. Matt was super nice and knowledgeable and went above and beyond to ensure that I had a great hike and got to see everything that I came for.
Muddy Boots is a small company and I love how they’re encouraging people to get outside and explore! During my walk, I learned a lot about the Yorkshire Dales and the culture there, which was fascinating! We walked by a river for part of the walk, stopped for a picnic lunch, then continued through a section filled with stonewall fences. The whole hike was beautiful!
The walk was tailored to my interests and hiking preferences, which I appreciated. Looking back on my two weeks of solo-traveling in England, I can genuinely say that this walk was in my top 3 highlights. I can’t reccomend Muddy Boots enough!”