Winter Solstice ‘sunrise to sunset’ challenge walk 
29 km (18 miles) – 950 metres of ascent – 9 hours

The ‘Malham Three Trigs’ Winter Solstice Hike is a new challenge walk (devised by Mark Reid in 2025) that links three Trig Points on prominent fells that encircle Malham, walking from sunrise to sunset on the shortest day of the year. This long distance challenge walk starts and finishes at Malham, in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

Re-connect with our ancient ancestors on the Winter Solstice.
Walk from dawn to dusk and into darkness via three Trig Points.

THE ‘MALHAM THREE TRIGS’  WINTER SOLSTICE HIKE

The ‘Malham Three Trigs’ Winter Solstice Hike is an 18 mile route with 950m of climbing that will take around 9 hours to complete. The route starts and finishes at Malham, famed for its limestone scenery including Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, and takes in three Trig Points on prominent hills that encircle the village:

1. Weets Top (414m)
2. Knowe Fell (593m)
3. Rye Loaf Hill (547m)

THE ROUTE

From Malham, we head eastwards in darkness up across Hanlith Moor to reach Weets Top at sunrise. Nearby is Weets Cross, a medieval monastic boundary stone that once marked the lands of Fountains Abbey. From Weets Top we turn northwards to reach the prehistoric trackway of Mastiles Lane and the earthworks of a Roman Marching Camp. We then climb up onto Great Close Hill with its Bronze Age burial mound before heading westwards skirting around Malham Tarn and up to the highest Trig Point of this walk on Knowe Fell – this is a moment to savour with far-reaching views across Malham Tarn and the surrounding limestone moorlands. We then turn southwards along ancient trackways passing Nappa Cross, another medieval monastic wayside cross, and up onto Rye Loaf Hill for sunset. This is a magnificent viewpoint that looks across the southern Yorkshire Dales with uninterrupted views westwards towards the setting sun. It’s then an easy walk down along ancient trackways back into Malham as darkness falls.

This is a demanding walk that requires a good level of fitness and so must be approached with preparation and training, but it is also a rewarding walk that will be remembered for many years as we walk from dawn to dusk on the shortest day of the year, visiting three Trig Points, two monastic crosses, a prehistoric burial mound, ancient trackways, Roman marching camp, England’s highest lake and spectacular limestone landscapes.

Much of this walk follows clear paths and tracks across grassy limestone moorland, although there are some pathless sections up onto Knowe Fell and Rye Loaf Hill across rough terrain. The paths will be rough, rocky and muddy in places, and there are three ‘noticeable’ climbs during the day up to reach the Trig Points. This walk will start and finish in the dark – headtorches essential!

Mark Reid knows the Yorkshire Dales like the back of his hand and will guide you around this route (whilst also sharing his knowledge of the area), so that you can forget about navigating and concentrate on enjoying the walk!

This guided walk is designed for solo or small groups of walkers who want to take on the ‘Malham Three Trigs’ Winter Solstice Hike, but don’t want to worry about route finding.

• Fully guided walk with Mark Reid (Mountain Leader)
• Experience the comaraderie of walking a challenge route with other like-minded walkers
• Discover the history, heritage & geography of the Yorkshire Dales
• Share your sense of achievement with your fellow walkers
• Small group sizes – 8 people per Mountain Leader
• You are GUARANTEED not to get lost on our guided walk!

OUTLINE OF THE DAY

7am: Meet at Malham, Yorkshire Dales. Weather forecast, gear check & briefing.
7:15am – 4:30pm: Fully guided walk around the Malham Three Trigs Winter Solstice Hike challenge walk
4:30pm: Debrief back at Malham, then head home

NB: Sunrise is 08:23 and sunset is 15:49. We will be walking in the dark for approximately 1 hour in the morning and afternoon. Finish time is approximate