1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
44. Yorkshire Three Peaks
SOLD OUT
Date: 19/08/2021
Meeting Point: Car Park, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, BH24 0HE
If you’re ready for a real challenge, then join this Big Smile walk- but make sure you’ve prepared.
Beginning and ending in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the Yorkshire Three Peaks is undoubtedly the longest and most challenging single stage of all the walks. Boasting 25 miles of undulating dales, the walk begins by heading towards the first peak of Pen-Y-Ghent.
From here, we march on to Whernside, with views of the distinctive Ribblehead viaduct. Rising above the Carlisle to Settle railway track, we reach the summit of Whernside before continuing on to the third and final peak of Ingleborough.
At 723 metres, this marks the highest point of the walk. With the climbing largely behind us, we are ready to head back towards Horton and a well-earned rest.
This is a demanding stage, and anyone wishing to do it should ideally build up their walking fitness prior to the walk. When you factor in the unpredictable weather, the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a formidable challenge.
Distance: 39.6 km (24.61 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★★★
Sponsored By: