Your GirlsTrek guide will be at Manchester airport to meet you from your recommended Qantas flight and from here take the train to Piccadilly Station in Manchester.

Close to the train station is Whitworth Locke our accommodation for the next two nights in Manchester.

With its stunning communal spaces and spacious, one-of-a-kind apartments, Whitworth Locke is more than just a place to stay – it’s a space to live.

Set in a 19th Century cotton factory, every area – from the beautiful Conservatory Bar to the spacious co-working lounge – celebrates the building’s quirks and features. There’s also a packed calendar of events, pop-ups and fitness classes for you to join in with, if you fancy. And if you’re heading out, you’re just minutes from the city’s best bars, shops and nightlife. Settle in, and see Manchester differently.

From the door step of our accommodation GirlsTrek take you on an urban trek to help you familarise yourself with the UK's second largest city and its different 'quarters'.

Tonight we have an easy dinner close by to our accommodation.

Meals: Dinner

Manchester is a city with a vibrant history. The iconic red bricks have seen the Industrial Revolution come and go, been a powerhouse of cotton production in the Cottonopolis of Lancashire (was a 19th-century nickname for Manchester, as it was a metropolis and the centre of the cotton industry ), experienced the heavy bombing of the blitz and later became a hotbed of youth activity in the rave and Britpop scenes of the 90s.

The best way truly discover the heart beat is on a guided tour by a quirky city expert. Forget bus tours and mics, we have a local walking us around the streets and spilling the beans on life in Manchester from cool to grungy!

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Departing from Piccadilly Station we travel to Ilkley in the Yorkshire Dales, our starting point for The Dales Way.

Ilkley is a pretty, traditional spa town offering fine tearooms, magnificent countryside and a rock climbers' paradise with the famous Cow and Calf Rocks. Once we have dropped our luggage to our cute accommodation we explore the town and surrounding country-side.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Trek: Ilkley to Burnsall 21 km (13 miles) approximately 5 1/2 hours

Enjoy a gentle day of woodland walking, and cross the threshold of Yorkshire Dales National Park, to pass the site of Bolton Abbey.

Starting at the Old Bridge in Ilkley you make your way north on your walk up to Burnsall and through lush meadowlands and past Bolton Priory. Pass by stunning bridges and medieval settlements before Burnsall Bridge comes into view marking the end of the stage. This quaint little town provides a few tea rooms and a local shop.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Trek: Burnsall to Hubberholme 24 Km (15 Miles) approximately 6 1/2 hours

As you leave Burnsall the river roars dramatically beneath limestone crags. Begin to climb and admire the amazing views over Wharfedale.

Walk into Grassington, a fabulous Dale’s village with oodles of charm. (Yay! Yay!) Discover more stunning views over the pretty farm land, laid out like a patchwork quilt around you as you head up to Coniston Pike. After some gentle woodland walking, follow a riverside until you come to your destination for this evening, Hubberholme, a pretty little village.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Trek: Hubberholme to Dent Head (Cowgill) 27 km ( 17 miles) approximately 7 1/4 hours

This section leads you out of Wharfedale and into Dentdale. You'll cross England's watershed as rivers that you now encounter will be running west toward the Irish Sea.

This path takes you past the river and to Deepdale Gill, which is a splendidly rugged area. The path then climbs and later you can take in the views of the three peaks, Whernside, Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough. Evidence of the impending Lake District is now visible as you head towards the impressive Dent Head Viaduct.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Trek: Sedbergh to Burneside 25 km (15.5 miles) approximately 7 hours

Leave behind the Yorkshire Dales and head in the direction of the looming Lake District peaks as you pass over farmland, through a valley and by Victorian viaducts.

The views and landscapes are delightful today as more evidence of the approaching Lake District forms up ahead, as you pass through slate roofed villages and amble across a beck. The mighty Howgills dominate the skyline for most of the day. Pass Black Moss Tarn and cross the River Sprint before heading into Burneside, your next port of call.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Trek: Burneside to Bowness-on-Windermere 15 km (9.5 miles) approximately 4 1/4 hours

Move on from the Howgill Fells and draw closer to dramatic peaks as you pass into the Lake District National Park on the final stretch of the Dales Way.

As you head off to the River Kent, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Kingfishers on this section. Pass plenty of interesting old mills, including an entire village of them at Cowen Head. The scenery is more and more rocky as you progress to the end of the Dales Way and the river really comes into its own as it crashes and gurgles over the rocks.

As you see the majestic lake ahead you can choose the long or short way to your final destination, Bowness-on-Windermere, a great place to celebrate your amazing journey.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

The tiny village of Bowness-on-Windermere lies on the shore of England’s largest lake. Ferries run from here across Lake Windermere, while the traditional stone cottages, lakefront pubs, and lively fishing harbour.

It is also the home of Beatrix Potter and we stay a day to enjoy a Beatrix Potter themed tour of the Lake District. You'll visit a variety of places associated with the author, including her vacation home, Wray Castle, and her home, Hill Top. See where she found inspiration for her stories and illustrations, and learn about her life and times from your guide.

Late afternoon we will return to Manchester for our final night together.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

On our final morning we enjoy breakfast together before continuing on our own journey in the UK or returning to Manchester international airport for a return flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Price includes

13 days fully guided/ hosted trek and experiences with GirlsTrek

Walking tour of Manchester

Bespoke apartment hotel in Manchester

B&B's and cottages on walking holiday

Train travel as per the itinerary

Meals as per the itinerary

Cider, beer or wine with dinner on walking nights

All accommodation (twin share)

Daily luggage transfers

Emergency assistance if required from local company

Information get together to detail the trip and answer any of your questions

Trip specific packing list with expert advice and great discounts

At home programme to train you for your trek

Exclusive GirlsTrek Gift

Price excludes

Travel to/from destination

Travel insurance, which is compulsory

Beverages, optional and personal expenses

*Single supplement available on request at an additional cost

Compulsory Gear

Passport

Daypack - small to carry you raincoat and personal items *

Water Bladder with 2L capacity

Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood

Good walking shoes **

600ml water bottle

Electrolyte

Hat and sunglasses

Buff or kerchief for neck protection

Sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent

Tissues and wipes

Personal first aid kit (Band aids, compression bandage, pain relief tablets)

* Each day you will carry a minimum amount in your backpack. Most of your luggage will be forwarded to our next accommodation. We purchase lunch along the way.

**Your trekking shoes need to be very comfortable and able to handle hard road surfaces as well as farm trails and bush trails.

Clothing for trek

2-3 x walking shorts or longs

4 x walking shirts (Long or short)

1 long sleeved warm layer - we recommend Icebreaker merino 150 - 200 gsm

Polar fleece or down Vest

4 x walking socks - (merino wool)

Gaiters

Clothing & items for trip

Casual wear for nights of trek

Smart day wear for Manchester

Pajamas and underwear

Toiletries