Railway Tracks and Walking in the Yorkshire Dales
‘Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’, the charming market town of Skipton is our gateway to three days featuring fantastic rail journeys and stunningly scenic walks. Step back to a bygone era aboard the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway then look out for all manner of wildlife as we walk the Bolton Abbey River Loop. Ride the heritage Keighley and Worth Valley Railway before following in the footsteps of the famous Brontë sisters walking in the heart of Yorkshire’s wild, sweeping moors. Our walk on the Pennine Bridleway promises more outstanding scenery as does a ride on the Settle-Carlisle Line.
Your Tour Includes
- 4 nights’ half-board accommodation at the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton
- Packed lunch on the three walking days
- 3 train journeys
- 3 guided walks around the Yorkshire Dales
- Services of two experienced local walking guides and Tour Manager
Itinerary
To use our NEW itinerary, simply click a day below and a detailed overview will appear.
Overview
Make your own way to our hotel in Skipton where you’ll meet our Tour Manager. Enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner in the hotel.
Includes Dinner
Overview
The award-winning Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway was once part of the former Midland Railway route from Skipton to Ilkley. This morning we’ll relax in one of the beautifully restored Edwardian and Victorian carriages as we’re pulled by a vintage steam locomotive through some of Yorkshire’s finest countryside. We’ll alight at Bolton Abbey Station, which is the start of today’s walk. The Bolton Abbey River Loop is part of the Dales Way taking us along the River Wharf to Barden Bridge. This fantastic riverside walk through the Bolton Estate is a chance for us to see plenty of wildlife. Look out for a fascinating variety of birds, such as wagtails, oyster catchers, kingfishers, ducks and geese, as well as plenty of wild flowers. During the walk we’ll see the river flow through a small gorge and have the chance to explore the Abbey ruins. We return to our hotel by coach and enjoy dinner this evening. *Easy Walk – Duration: approx. 3.5 hours, distance: approx. 7 miles. Terrain: well marked paths, mostly flat.* *(There is an option to shorten this walk and your tour manager and local guides will provide details if required).*
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
This morning we board the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for a fantastic one-way trip on this 5-mile branch line that was built to serve the mill trades in the late 19th century. Our journey starts in Keighley at the foot of the beautiful Worth Valley. In all we’ll see six stations including the tiny station at Damens, which once served a small mill nearby and the charming station at Oakworth that shot to fame in the Railway Children. We alight in the Pennine village of Oxenhope surrounded by rolling hills and windswept moorland. Lower Laithe Reservoir is the start of our Brontë Moor Walk. We’ll pass the Brontë bridge and waterfall as we walk to Top Withens before returning via the Pennine Way to the reservoir. The world of Wuthering Heights is brought to life in Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters. We’ll have time to enjoy this delightfully quaint town before returning to Skipton where dinner will be served in our hotel. *Moderate Walk – Duration: approx. 3.5 hours, distance: approx. 5.5 miles. Terrain: well marked paths, country roads, Moderate hills.*
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
After breakfast we’ll take a leisurely stroll along the Leeds & Liverpool canal path to Skipton railway station where we board the train and travel on a section of the Settle. Here we begin our walk up onto the Pennine Bridleway to enjoy the beautiful views that stretch far and wide across the Dales. Along our route we’ll pass a number of caves carved from limestone synonymous with this area. They include the famous Victoria Cave, which was discovered by chance in 1837, the year of Queen Victoria’s coronation. Archaeological finds from the cave include bones of long extinct animals dating back 130,000 years. At the end of our walk there is time to stop for coffee in the market town of Settle before we take the train back to Skipton. *Moderate Walk – Duration: approx 3.5 hours, distance: approx 6.5 miles. Terrain: well marked paths, moderate hills, bridleways. Walk between the hotel and Skipton station: Approximately 1.5 miles each way. (There will be an option to shorten this walk and your tour manager and local guides will provide details if required).*
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Overview
After a leisurely breakfast and checking out of our hotel it is time for your journey home. *Please note: We cannot guarantee that all our rail journeys will be steam hauled and the running order of the itinerary may change depending on availability. The final itinerary will be confirmed in your final Travel Documents.*
Includes Breakfast
Overview
All of our walks are of an easy-moderate nature and therefore we recommend that you have a reasonable level of fitness for our Off the Beaten Tracks range of holidays. It is also important to ensure you bring the right equipment with you and for our walking tours we would recommend: - A pair of good quality walking boots - Weather appropriate clothing – including layers - A comfortable rucksack - A water bottle - Walking poles (not essential but can aid climbs and descents)
Single Room Supplement from £160.00 (5 days).
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton.
Hotel Rendezvous
The 3-star family run Rendezvous Hotel is beautifully situated overlooking the canal and conveniently located close to the town of Skipton, known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The hotel facilities include a bar, restaurant, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym. Complimentary car parking is available on site, and Skipton railway station is just less than 2 miles from the hotel.
Hotel Facilities
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General
- 3 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Indoor Swimming Pool (Seasonal)
- Lift
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Shower and Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Accessibility
- Disabled Rooms Available
- Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Service
- Room Service Available
- 24 Hour Front Desk
Hotel
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
