The Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Trek
Bradford in Yorkshire might not be the immediate destination that pops into mind when considering a trekking holiday. However, it puts you within easy reach of a terrific trek – the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks trek. If you are looking for a trekking holiday that offers a challenge, this route is one you should consider.
A trek like this is one of the more serious walking holidays in the UK. You’ll need an early start and decent weather, as the whole trek is likely to take you about 12 hours. All in all, it covers 24 miles over some beautiful terrain. As far as walking holidays in the UK with dogs go, it’s perfect.
The three peaks are a part of the Pennine range, and they encircle the head of the valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the bottom of which the river Ribble runs. The peaks are Pen-y-Ghent at 694 metres high, Whernside at 736 metres, and Ingleborough at 723 metres and are best challenged in this order. This trek will treat you to some truly stunning scenery.
In our view, it’s one of the best walking holidays in the UK, and when you return to your Belvilla holiday home in Bradford, you can afford yourself a well-deserved Tandoori Chicken Balti, or one of the other celebrated Indian dishes in what is, after all, the curry capital of the UK.
The Aberglaslyn Gorge and Cwm Bychan Trek – Snowdonia
Although Snowdonia is a well-known holiday destination, the Aberglaslyn Gorge and Cwm Bychan trek is not the most famous walk in the UK – but, trust us, it will definitely be the jewel in the crown of any trekking holiday.
The great thing about this trek is that it is perfect for novice trekkers. It’s a six-mile circular trek, so it is ideal as one of the walking holidays in the UK for beginners to try out. On the way, you will be able to enjoy some of the most awesome scenery in Snowdonia.
The start and end point is the small footbridge at Beddgelert. Take in some wonderful scenery like the serene waters of Llyn Dinas, and the magnificent Aberglaslyn Gorge with the Glaslyn River raging alongside you by the pathway. You’ll see the old, decommissioned pulley system that serviced the old Sygun and Cwm Bychan copper mine, and on the return descent, you can take in the superb views of Yr Aran, Lliwedd, Siabod and Snowdon.
Before heading back to your Belvilla holiday home, you can celebrate this part of your trekking holiday with a pint of real Welsh ale in the Tanronnen Inn.
The Scafell Pike Treks
This trek is one of the lesser-kept secrets but well worth taking, nonetheless. As trekking holiday walks go, it takes a lot of beating. A lot of trekkers decide to take this route having completed a trek along part of Hadrian’s Wall.
Standing 978 metres high, Scafell Pike is the tallest mountain in England. At the summit, a stone shelter offers stunning views out over the English landscape far below. Don’t worry – there’s no real mountain climbing required – just some challenging trekking, and we guarantee it to be one of the best walking holidays in the UK.
There are actually three different routes you can take to the top, the first of which starts at Wasdale. You begin more or less at sea level and trek uphill for about three hours (depending on your fitness level), climbing around 2,900 feet.
The next route is a bit longer. It starts near Borrowdale, from where it is approximately 5 miles to the top of Scafell Pike. You’ll trek uphill, climbing 2,725 feet, and it takes approximately 3 hours each way – again, depending on fitness and stamina levels. You’ll pass a couple of tarns – Styhead and Broad Crag – the latter of which is reputed to be the highest body of water in England at 820 metres.
The third and most challenging trekking holiday route up Scafell Pike is the longest and highest, so it may not be the best route for walking holidays in the UK for beginners. The staging post is Langdale, and it’s 6.5 miles each way. It will take approximately 4 hours each way, and you’ll ascend 2,900 feet.
After any of these treks up Scafell Pike, when you’ve completed your chosen trek, you will be more than ready to retire to your Belvilla holiday home to rest and recuperate.