Join a social walk
The festival’s guided social walks offer a safe and supportive space to get involved with walking and meet other walkers.
These walks are free, open to everyone and designed to help you enjoy and explore the outdoors, as well as becoming more confident in your walking ability. More social walks will be added soon, so keep checking back or sign up for email updates.
Our social walks are divided into three categories:
Skills and confidence – learn new walking skills and techniques from experts so you can step out with more belief and know-how.
Health and wellbeing – boost your physical and mental good health on walks designed for people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Discovery and connection – step out with experienced local guides on walks exploring nature, heritage and culture.
All you need to do is book your free place and look forward to a ramble to remember. What’s more, you’ll get a free cuppa and cake at the finishing point.
In partnership with BMC, The Ramblers and more
Social walks in the East Midlands
East Midlands
Wellbeing social walk from YHA Castleton Losehill Hall
Health and wellbeing
Sunday 14th September 2025
Distance: 7.6 miles (12.2 km)
Duration: 6 hours
Led by: Mind Over Mountains
A relaxed and inclusive hillwalk through the stunning Peak District led by a mental health charity.
Women-only social walk from YHA Ilam Hall
Discovery and connection
Sunday 14th September 2025
Distance: 8 miles (12.8 km)
Duration: 3 hours
Led by: Outdoor Adventure Girls
Join us in the Peak District National Park for an iconic walk along the River Dove.
Social walk from YHA Edale Activity Centre
Discovery and connection
Saturday 20th September 2025
Distance: 6.3 miles (10 km)
Duration: 5 hours
Led by: Hiking Buddies UK
Join Hiking Buddies UK for a social walk from YHA Edale to Kinder Scout plateau, the highest point in the Peak District and the site of the historic 1932 Mass Trespass.
Social walk from YHA Hartington Hall
Discovery and connection
Sunday 21st September 2025
Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)
Duration: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Led by: YHA with BMC volunteers
Explore the limestone scenery of the Peak District on this route through the upper Dove Valley.
Nordic social walk from YHA Ilam Hall
Skills and confidence
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Duration: 3 hours
Led by: British Nordic Walking
Learn to Nordic walk then stride out to Dovedale stepping stones using specially designed poles.
Social walks in the East of England
East of England
Women-only social walk from YHA Cambridge
Discovery and connection
Sunday 14th September 2025
Distance: 6.7 miles (10.7 km)
Duration: 3 hours
Led by: Outdoor Adventure Girls
A varied and scenic walk exploring the meadows and riverside paths around Cambridge.
Social walks in London
London
Social walk from YHA London Lee Valley
Discovery and connection
Sunday 14th September 2025
Distance: 6 miles (9.5 km)
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
Led by: YHA
A gentle walk through Lee Valley Country Park with its sculptures, watercourses and birdlife, to historic Waltham Abbey.
Mindfulness social walk from YHA London Lee Valley
Health and wellbeing
Saturday 20th September 2025
Distance: 3.8 miles (6.1 km)
Duration: 1.5 hours)
Led by: RUN-ZEN
A gentle walk around the River Lee Country Park, exploring the practice of mindfulness to appreciate your surroundings.
Mindfulness social walk from YHA London Central
Health and wellbeing
Thursday 2nd October 2025
Distance: 3.3 miles (5.5 km)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Led by: RUN-ZEN
An easy walk around London’s Regent’s Park, exploring the practice of mindfulness to appreciate your surroundings.
Social walks in the North East of England
North East of England
Social walk from YHA The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall
Discovery and connection
Saturday 27th September 2025
Distance: 8 miles (12.8 km)
Duration: 4.5 hours
Led by: Hiking Buddies UK
Join Hiking Buddies UK for a social walk along Hadrian’s Wall, exploring iconic sites like Housesteads Crags and the Roman fort at Vercovicivm.
Social walk from YHA The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall
Discovery and connection
Saturday 11th October 2025
Distance: 6.6 miles (10.7 km)
Duration: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Led by: YHA with BMC volunteers
Explore the dramatic World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall on this route via Sycamore Gap and Housesteads Fort.
Social walks in the North West of England
North West of England
Map & navigation (introductory) social walk from YHA Ambleside
Skills and confidence
Saturday 13th September 2025
Distance: 4.1 miles (6.6 km)
Duration: 5 hours
Led by: Navigation with Harriet
Learn the basics of navigation and develop your map reading skills on this walk amid the stunning scenery of the Lake District.
Social walk from YHA Borrowdale
Discovery and connection
Saturday 13th September 2025
Distance: 9 miles (14.4 km)
Duration: 5 hours
Led by: Hiking Buddies UK
A scenic leg-busting hike from YHA Borrowdale to Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, led by Hiking Buddies UK experienced guides.
Map & navigation (intermediate) social walk from YHA Ambleside
Skills and confidence
Sunday 14th September 2025
Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km)
Duration: 6 hours
Led by: Navigation with Harriet
Develop your navigation and map reading skills on this walk amid the stunning scenery of the Lake District.
Social walk from YHA Manchester
Discovery and connection
Friday 19th September 2025
Distance: 3-4 miles (4.6-6.4km)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Led by: Canal & River Trust
A guided walk with a local expert exploring the city’s canals to learn how these historic waterways have shaped Manchester.
Social walk from YHA Keswick
Discovery and connection
Saturday 27th September 2025
Distance: 6 miles (9.5 km)
Duration: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Led by: YHA with BMC volunteers
A scenic walk to the top of Latrigg, a hill overlooking Keswick, for superb views across the Lake District.
Social walk from YHA Ambleside
Discovery and connection
Sunday 28th September 2025
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.7 km)
Duration: 5 - 6 hours
Led by: YHA with BMC volunteers
A fairly long but highly scenic walk to Loughrigg Fell, with views of Grasmere and the central Lakeland fells.
Map & navigation (introductory) social walk from YHA Keswick
Skills and confidence
Saturday 4th October 2025
Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8 km)
Duration: 5 hours
Led by: Navigation with Harriet
Learn the basics of navigation and develop your map reading skills on this walk amid the stunning scenery of the Lake District.
View social walk
Social walks in the South East of England
South East of England
Pilgrimage social walk from YHA South Downs
Discovery and connection
Friday 12th September 2025
Distance: 9 miles (14.4 km)
Duration: 7 hours
Led by: British Pilgrimage Trust
A mini pilgrimage walk to Lewes via Beddingham and Glynde, following some of the Old Way and exploring local places of worship and meaning, wildflower folklore and natural beauty, returning to YHA South Downs by train.
Mindfulness social walk from YHA South Downs
Health and wellbeing
Sunday 14th September 2025
Distance: 6 miles (9.9 km)
Duration: 3 hours
Led by: RUN-ZEN
Enjoy a beautiful circular walk in the South Downs National Park, exploring the practice of mindfulness to appreciate your surroundings.
Map & navigation social walk from YHA Truleigh Hill
Skills and confidence
Sunday 21st September 2025
Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)
Duration: 4 hours
Led by: Heads Up Adventures
Learn map and compass skills on a sociable and easy-paced walk, while enjoying the stunning surroundings of the South Downs.
Nordic social walk from YHA New Forest
Skills and confidence
Sunday 21st September 2025
Distance: 7 - 9 miles (12-15 km)
Duration: 3 - 4 hours
Led by: British Nordic Walking
Learn the basics of Nordic walking and meet likeminded people on this guided walk through the beautiful scenery of the New Forest National Park.
Mindfulness social walk from YHA Canterbury
Health and wellbeing
Saturday 27th September 2025
Distance: 3.7 miles (6 km)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Led by: RUN-ZEN
A mindful exploration of the rural fringes of the medieval walled city of Canterbury.
Pilgrimage social walk from YHA Canterbury
Discovery and connection
Friday 3rd October 2025
Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km)
Duration: 7 hours
Led by: British Pilgrimage Trust
Set your intention, walk with purpose and discover some of the best countryside around Canterbury on this taster ‘Bring Your Own Beliefs’ pilgrimage.
Women-only social walk from YHA Truleigh Hill
Discovery and connection
Sunday 5th October 2025
Distance: 5 miles (8 km)
Duration: 3 hours
Led by: Outdoor Adventure Girls
Join us in West Sussex for a walk along the South Downs Way to Devil’s Dyke.
Map & navigation social walk from YHA South Downs
Skills and confidence
Sunday 12th October 2025
Distance: 5.2 miles (8.5 km)
Duration: 5 hours
Led by: Heads Up Adventures
Learn the basics of navigation and develop your map and compass skills on an easy-paced walk, while enjoying the surroundings of the South Downs.
Social walks in the South West of England
South West of England
Social walk from YHA Cheddar
Discovery and connection
Thursday 18th September 2025
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Duration: 4 hours
Led by: Mendip Adventure and Mendip Hills National Landscape
A guided walk with the Mendip Hills nature ranger exploring nature recovery in Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills.
Women-only social walk from YHA Treyarnon Bay
Discovery and connection
Saturday 20th September 2025
Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8km)
Duration: 3 hours
Led by: Outdoor Adventure Girls
A stunning north Cornwall coastal walk from Treyarnon to Trevose Head.
Nordic social walk from YHA Swanage
Skills and confidence
Saturday 20th September 2025
Distance: 7 - 9 miles (12-15 km)
Duration: 3 - 4 hours
Led by: British Nordic Walking
Learn the basics of Nordic walking and meet likeminded people on this guided walk through Dorset’s stunning coastal scenery.
Women-only Nordic social walk from YHA Bristol
Skills and confidence
Thursday 2nd October 2025
Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
Duration: 2 hours
Led by: British Nordic Walking
A women-only walk to learn the basics of Nordic walking on an easy walk around Bristol’s historic harbour and docks.
Social walks in Wales
Wales
Social walk from YHA Conwy
Discovery and connection
Saturday 20th September 2025
Distance: 6.2 miles (10 km)
Duration: 3.5 – 4.5 hours
Led by: YHA with BMC volunteers
A walk up Mynydd y Dref (Conwy mountain) with outstanding views over the coast and hills of North Wales.
Social walks in Yorkshire and the Humber
West Midlands
More social walks will be added soon, so keep checking back or sign up for email updates.
Social walks in Yorkshire and the Humber
Yorkshire and the Humber
Nordic social walk from YHA York
Skills and confidence
Saturday 13th September 2025
Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Led by: British Nordic Walking
Learn the basics of Nordic walking on this relaxing and sociable walk beside the River Ouse in York.
Accessible social walk from YHA Malham
Discovery and connection
Wednesday 24th September 2025
Distance: 2.5 or 5 miles (3.2 or 8 km)
Duration: 2 - 3.5 hours
Led by: Access the Dales
An accessible walk from Malham in two parts, using lanes and semi-surfaced paths to visit the natural wonders of Gordale Scar and Malham Cove.
Social walk from YHA Whitby
Discovery and connection
Saturday 4th October 2025
Distance: 7.7 miles (12.4 km)
Duration: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Led by: YHA with BMC volunteers
A panoramic linear clifftop walk from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay and on to nearby YHA Boggle Hole, returning by local bus.
Pilgrimage social walk from YHA York
Discovery and connection
Monday 6th October 2025
Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Led by: British Pilgrimage Trust
A mini pilgrimage around York exploring both well-known landmarks and secret places, covering all the historical ages of the city, and featuring traditional folk and sacred songs to bring it to life.
Social walk from YHA Malham
Discovery and connection
Sunday 5th October 2025
Distance: 7.6 miles (12.2 km)
Duration: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Led by: YHA with BMC volunteers
Discover the geological wonders of the Yorkshire Dales on this fascinating walk from the village of Malham.
FAQs
Social walks FAQs
Do I need to sign up in advance or can I turn up on the day?
Please book your social walk in advance so we can manage numbers and make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time, plus some walks may become fully booked.
How do I book?
Select your social walk and follow the simple booking instructions. We’ll send you confirmation of your booking straight away and more detailed instructions nearer the time of the walk.
Can I stay overnight as well?
Yes of course, but check availability as soon as possible and ideally book your social walk and accommodation at the same time, so you can relax and look forward to a great walking break in the autumn. We're offering 20% off stays throughout the festival so make sure you use our discount code when booking.
Do you have to be a YHA member or pay to take part?
No, social walks are free and open to everyone, but we encourage participants to make a voluntary donation to support our Breaks Programme, helping groups of young people and families facing challenging circumstances to access life-changing adventures in our hostels.
Can I take part in a social walk without booking accommodation?
Yes, our social walks are open to day visitors as well as overnight guests.
Are there any age restrictions?
No, but because of length or terrain some walks are likely to be unsuitable for young children, so please refer to the walk description and contact us if you want to check further. A few walks are specifically designed to be family friendly.
Can I sign up as a family or group?
Yes, you can book places for up to 6 people on most of our social walks. They are generally short to moderate routes covering a variety of terrain that will last anywhere between 3-5 hours and will require a reasonable level of fitness. Please read the walk description or contact the social walk leader if you require more information.
Are there any accessible social walks?
We are delighted that Access the Dales will be offering some accessible social walks. In addition, our wider programme of self-guided walks includes a range of easy routes.
In conjunction with Access the Dales, we have also identified a wider range of accessible routes that are not part of the festival but are close to YHA hostels.
Are any of the walks or hostels accessible by public transport?
Some of the walks from hostels will be accessible by bus or train, so please check out the detailed information about the hostel’s facilities and location.
What should I wear?
We recommend you go equipped for the sort of conditions that you are likely to encounter, depending on the route, terrain and weather forecast. That usually means sturdy footwear, a waterproof jacket and a small backpack to carry your water, lunch and/or snacks. Check out our walking preparation tips to help prepare for your walk.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs on leads are welcome to join our social walks, unless indicated otherwise. Many (but not all) of our hostels also welcome dogs on their premises see our Dogs Policy for details.
Will the walks be manageable for me?
Our social walks are designed to be achievable by most people and our experienced leaders will walk at a steady pace which is comfortable for everyone, with regular opportunities to rest and re-group, so that no-one is left behind. Some festival walks are shorter and easier than others, so check out the walk description and get in touch if you want to know more.
Will I get a free cuppa & cake?
Yes, a free cuppa & cake will be available after your social walk. If you're feeling peckish, food and snacks can be purchased from our hostel cafes too.
Social walk partners
Social walks in partnership with:
Partner logos
British Mountaineering Council
The Ramblers
Access the Dales
British Nordic Walking
British Pilgrimage Trust
Partner logos
Heads Up Navigation
Hiking Buddies UK
Mind Over Mountains
Navigation with Harriet
Outdoor Adventure Girls
Partner logos
Run-Zen