Gentle Bereavement Pilgrimage Yorkshire 2026

Gentle Bereavement Pilgrimage for all grievers

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For those who wish to make a bereavement pilgrimage but require shorter distances, gentler terrain and a proper bed. Your grief is welcome.

By popular request, we're adding a different kind of bereavement pilgrimage for all grievers in September this year. Unlike our regular pilgrimages, this journey will involve shorter daily distances of 4 - 6 miles, on gentler terrain, with lots of rest breaks along the way and stays at a single location with normal beds. We will walk as a group of up to 20 pilgrims through the Yorkshire countryside, encountering all sorts of places and engaging in various pilgrim practices. Our journey concludes on the third day in a procession along the River Wharf and an optional dip in the water.

"It was an extraordinary 3 days. I found it profound and powerful. To be guided, have companionship and support in the gentle and strong practice of walking with intent meant I was able to explore, learn about, feel and leave behind parts of my grief."

The journey

Day 1, 5 miles
We gather in Malham, where we will get settled before heading onto the path to Malham Cove, where we set our intentions and name our lost loved ones. From there, we follow Malham Beck and the River Aire, leaving behind the bustling village for open fields, quiet woods, waterfalls. We'll then wander along country lanes to return to the Barn for dinner, an optional sharing circle and comfortable beds.

5 miles, some brief sections with short hills or steps.

Day 2, 4.5 miles

We transfer to Grassington, where we spend the day with the river, taking in weirs, Anglo-Saxon churches and wildlife. Will you choose stepping stones or the suspension bridge? There is time for an optional wild swim before we finish at Burnsall. We then return to the overnight accommodation.

4.5 miles, gentle undulating or flat paths, some steps and stiles in places. Stepping stones and suspension bridge (stepping stones can be avoided).

Day 3, 5 miles

For our final day we return to the river, this time further down stream. With sweeping bends, historic bridges and swift currents, we let our intentions flow with the water into the depths of the infamous Strid, as we meander through woodland. We conclude with a final ceremony at the water's edge under the gaze of Bolton Abbey ruins. There will be time at the end to explore the priory ruins and abbey or take refreshment before transfers back to Malham.

5 miles, undulating paths, some brief sections of short hill or steps.

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‍Our Approach

"I feel like I have moved on from being on autopilot for 11 years to being in the driving seat."

The vision for a bereaved parents’ pilgrimage came from Helena Grace, following the death of her son Matthew aged 23. Based on her own search for healing, she wanted to create a place where grief could be experienced in community and be held by the magnificence and healing powers of nature. She wanted these pilgrimages to revive healthy grieving traditions, where parent’s loss could be shared and dignified and their children honoured and remembered in love. Find out more about 2024's pilgrimage here.

Since our pilot with Helena and Ipse Wilderness in 2024, the British Pilgrimage Trust has been working to develop these further, incorporating suggestions from pilgrims and other expertise. Our pilgrimage is an inner journey as much as an outer one, deeply connected to the land you move through but created as much by each individual pilgrim. We offer a range of pilgrim practices intended to stimulate heart, mind and body. We take you places of awe and places of stillness. We create moments for sharing, and moments of silence. All of this is offered with the pilgrims at its heart; you are free to participate as little or as much as you like, and we are open to adding things you suggest too.

‍Carry My Loved Ones

If you are unable to make this journey but would like us to walk on your behalf, you can submit the name of a lost loved one along with a donation. Names of loved ones will be carried by the group, who will honour them during moments of remembrance and at the closing of the pilgrimage. The donation enables us to run this pilgrimage on a low-cost basis enabling more people to take part.

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Your Guides - BPT's historian, naturalist and pilgrim Dawn Champion plus Nicola Marshall, a grief counsellor acting as a pilgrimage supporter to offer emotional care if needed. They will both offer a nurturing, holding space to support you and lead you along a beautiful, wild route. You will receive support when you need it and space when you don't. You can decide whether or not to participate in any practices they offer.

"Dawn was incredibly skilful, knowledgeable and light touch. Brought her heart whilst also highly professional."

‍What’s Included:

• Fully guided 3 day journey for all grievers
• Various pilgrim practices, such as periods of deliberate silence; barefoot walking; wildflower foraging; stories, songs and folklore; discovering natural beauty and wild places; opportunities to remember and honour our loved ones.
• Overnight accommodation in shared dorms with some private rooms available.
• Dinner both nights, breakfast and packed lunches on days 2 and 3.
• Transfers to and from accommodation to the pilgrimage route each day

You also have the option to make your own arrangements to sleep separately in traditional accommodation nearby if you prefer.

What to bring - 3 Day pilgrims to bring packed lunch for Day 1, trusty walking boots, day pack with sun protection/waterproofs, insect repellent and suncream, water bottle or thermos, something dry to sit on (a carrier bag is fine) overnight bag with wash bag, travel towel, earplugs, change of comfortable clothes, swimming things if taking a dip in the river on Day 3.  

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FAQ’s

Is this religious? This is not a faith-based pilgrimage and is open to everyone, of any or no faith. We adopt a Bring Your Own Beliefs ethos, and expect pilgrims to respect each other. You are free to engage with places and practices as you wish. We visit a variety of pilgrim places including ancient trees, wild water, hilltops, ancient monuments and historic churches. We do not lead group prayers or formal worship but give pilgrims time and space in all these places of peace for contemplation, meditation or other personal practices as you prefer.

Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group? There will be no compulsory group sharing moments. If you want to share your feelings in personal conversation that is up to you. You can choose to be in silence for all or part of the walk and this will be respected by other group members. Day 3 will involve themed invitations for reflection and conversation, and participation in this is optional

Is this therapy? This pilgrimage is not formal therapy, rather an informal journey surrounded by a mutually supportive group who have shared your lived experience. You will be guided through a range of pilgrimage practices which have therapeutic benefits, but there is no formal therapy or counselling involved. Day 3 will be supported by therapeutic 'walk and talk' practices.

Who can come? Any adult who has experienced bereavement of any kind, recent or a while ago, who requires a less physically challenging journey than our regular moderate journeys.

Why does this one cost more than your other bereavement journeys? Our regular journeys involve sleeping on floors or bunk beds, and pilgrims walk all day to their next accommodation. This journey requires transport to the gentle portions of the pilgrimage route each day, and comfy beds in regular accommodation come at a higher price.

Do you offer concessions? We have a limited number of subsidised places for pilgrims how receive income-related benefits, such as JSA, UC, DLA etc.

Are there fitness or access limitations? This pilgrimage avoids steeps hills and stiles, has shorter daily distances and will go at a much gentler pace with more rest breaks. There are some steps and shirt stretches of uneven terrain. If you are unable to walk 4 - 6 miles a day this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for those requiring wheelchair or scooter access. If you have a different mobility or sensory impairment please contact us so we can discuss your particular access requirements.

Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.