Beginner Caving, Hike & Dip
£385pp
3rd - 5th September 2027
Explore the beautiful limestone rock formations of Malhamdale on foot
Beginner Caving adventure with a local guide
Stay in cosy bunk barn accommodation right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Take a cold dip in the famous Janet’s Foss & seek out the fairies
Delicious homecooked vegetarian meals
Overview
An adventurous weekend exploring the amazing limestone area of Malham, staying in the village centre. This trip has been designed for those really wanting to get out there and see what the Dales has to offer. The Yorkshire Dales has a plethora of potholes and caves to explore, a beginner guided caving adventure on the Saturday morning will help us to explore some of these. This is a beginner technical level session and a steady pace. After lunch we will take a stroll down to Janet’s Foss for a dip in it’s blue waters, a great way to ease the muscles from the mornings adventure. Sunday morning is all about heading out on foot with hiking expert Matt, he will host a 3 hour guided trail to explore the coves. The weekend will be accompanied by delicious homecooked food to keep you energised and nourished.
Accommodation
You will spend two nights staying at the gorgeous Hilltop Farm Barn Bunkhouse. This is a traditional hill farm located in the Yorkshire Dales countryside and a 2 minute walk to Malham village centre where there is a shop and two pubs. The bunkbarn is made up of cosy dorm rooms, an open plan kitchen, dining & lounge area, drying rooms for your kit and outdoor areas for us to rest and relax in if the weather allows.
There is parking for up to 8 cars (with more available in the village), WiFi and two large toilet and shower rooms. Hilltop Barn is the perfect space for relaxing, socialising and exploring this part of the Dales. To get here, it is approximately 30 minutes from the market town of Skipton, approx 50 minutes from the M6 and 1.5hrs from the A1.
Activities
CAVING the Yorkshire Dales has a huge network of caving systems. Our beginner caving session is perfect for those wanting a taste of these systems and for those who have never tried caving or have done so once or twice in a safe environment with a guide. You will be provided with suits, helmets, harnesses & headlights to explore safely underground. Not suitable for those who suffer claustrophobia.
WILD SWIMMING is a very popular activity and very important it is done in a safe environment. Our self guided sessions are at Janet’s Foss. We will all dip together safely and at our own pace. We recommend to do the dips/swim in a swimsuit to get the full benefit. If you have a health condition, please contact your GP in advance.
HIKING a guided hike with a local expert who will lead you on a safe route. You can expect a relaxed pace suitable for the group as a whole. There will be a mix of terrains with no technical (such as scrambling) aspects but there will be a mix of ascents & descents along with soft & hard terrain.
Who is this trip suitable for?
This trip is a little more physically demanding than our usual retreats and although the activities are aimed at beginners on a technical level, a good level of fitness is required to get the most out of the weekend. Please note that the dip at Janet’s Foss is self guided, therefore some wild swimming experience is recommended, however is doable without.
Itinerary
Friday - arrival from 4pm 7pm - delicious 2 course meal
Saturday - from 8am - breakfast 9am - depart to our caving location to meet our guide (transport included) 1pm - lunch back at Hilltop Bunkbarn 3pm - we will take a walk (approx 1.25 miles) down to the famous Janet’s Foss for a dip in its emerald waters 7pm - delicious 2 course meal
Sunday - from 8am - breakfast 9.30 - Matt from Muddy Boots, local hiking expert, will be taking you for a 3 hour hike in search of the best scenery and wildlife 12.30pm - return for hot drinks, soup & cake before departing or if you wish to stay for an extra night, you can do so for no extra cost
Itineraries & timings are subject to change depending on weather conditions. The Yorkshire Dales is beautiful but the weather can be changeable
What’s Included
2 (or 3) nights cosy bunk barn accommodation at Hilltop Barn
Guided beginner caving adventure (harness, helmets & safety equipment included)
Opportunity for a cold dip at Janet’s Foss (unguided)
3 hour guided hike with Muddy Boots’ Matt
2 Dinners, 1 Lunch, 2 Breakfasts, all homecooked vegetarian meals
Unlimited tea, coffee & herbal drinks
Hot drinks, soup & cake after the hike on Sunday
Qualified & local guides and instructors
Relax and enjoy this amazing area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Prices & Dates
£385pp. A £150 non-refundable deposit is required to secure the booking
Accommodation is shared in bunk style rooms. There will be a maximum of 12 people on this trip, split across 5 different bedrooms using bottom bunks only, allowing for plenty of space (2 x twins, 1 x single, 1 x triple & 1 x quadruple). You will need to bring your own bedding and towel.
Don’t want to go home on Sunday? Stay for the 3rd night for FREE - the 3rd night is on a self catered basis.
3rd - 5th September - 12 spaces in total
Dietary Requirements - all of our food is made from fresh and is designed & created with a varied, gourmet vegetarian menu which is a combination of healthy meals and treats. Please let us know if you have any allergies and we will do our best to accommodate you, however please be aware that the kitchens we use can’t always be 100% allergen free.
Any questions about this trip, please email info@emmasdale.co.uk