Walks in the Yorkshire Dales
Classic Yorkshire Dales walks can be found on this page. All content is free to download including map, GPS route, statistics, personal report and images.
Looking from Crina Bottom to Ingleborough
My first memories of the Dales are when I went on a school trip in the 1960's. I vaguely recall walking for what seemed like an eternity in the Richmond area. I guess it must have been somewhere near Reeth as I do remember the school bus negotiating the narrow roads in that region. One of my most vivid recollections was the vastness of it all, or so it appeared to me when I was a boy looking down into a particular valley to see a distant river meandering in the bottom. It was not until my late 30's though that I really began to appreciate the beauty of the Dales in full. In the 1990's and into this millennium I have explored the area at length and discovered some excellent walks of all types including ascents onto fells, walks through areas of outstanding spectacle likes limestone pavements and hidden gorges and even superb riverside walks.
The Yorkshire Dales is a beautiful National Park, a park also blessed with the most delightful people. It is a welcoming place in all respects and I shall
always visit. My walks here are growing with regular frequency now I live on the edge of the park. You will find the more popular walks interspersed with less well known ones and some that take you off the beaten track. Are you adventurous enough to follow? Whether you are or not, I am sure you can find a walk that suits you so take some time out to read my recollections of enjoyable Yorkshire Dales walks. I hope some prove interesting enough for you to try. The walks are categorized by difficulty, so that everyone from a pensioner looking for some exercise to the type of person who needs a military loan to replace all the hiking boots they go through can find just the right walk for them.
Walks by Area:
Wharfedale Wensleydale Swaledale Malhamdale Ribblesdale Other Dales
| Walk | Miles | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Skipton Castle Woods | 2.0 | A short walk in the prettiest of woodlands which is inspiring all year round and simply stunning in springtime. |
| Addingham High Moor, Windgate Nick, Black Hill and the Doubler Stones | 2.0 | A short walk with some amazing vistas to Addingham High Moor and on to the fascinating Doubler Stones. |
| Aysgarth Falls | 2.2 | One of the Yorkshire Dales premier family walks to the most breathtaking series of waterfalls. |
| Stainforth & Catrigg Force | 2.4 | A wonderful walk which includes a visit to a fairy tale waterfall hidden from view in a delightful arboreal dell. |
| Coniston Dib & Coniston Pie | 2.5 | A fascinating walk through Wharfedales interesting geology including a narrow gorge and an inedible pie! |
| Keld & the River Swale Waterfalls | 2.5 | This walk centered on Keld in Upper Swaledale is a delight for waterfall lovers. There are four to see. |
| Grassington Lead Mining Trail | 2.9 | A short walk from Yarnbury following the history of the Lead Mining industry on Grassington Moor. |
| Richmond, Hudswell Woods and River Swale | 3.0 | A delightful short walk from the centre of Richmond to woodland, open countryside and riverside. |
| Mill Gill Force from Askrigg | 3.1 | A real little gem of a walk to some fantastic waterfalls. A splendid walk for a Sunday Morning. |
| Muker and Thwaite | 3.3 | A delightful walk to two of the prettiest and most popular villages in Upper Swaledale. |
| Reeth, Grinton and Low Fremington | 3.7 | A family orientated short walk from Reeth with sublime views of beautiful mid Swaledale to enjoy. |
| Bolton Abbey Estate Country Park | 3.8 | An ideal family walk with an option to travel the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. |
| Ingleton Waterfalls Trail | 4.3 | A very popular walk to the famous waterfalls of Ingleton including Pecca Falls, Thornton Force and Snow Falls. |
| Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet's Foss | 4.4 | Probably the most popular walk in the Yorkshire Dales for walkers of all abilities including families with children. |
| Dent, Hacker Gill, River Dee and Church Bridge | 4.5 | A short walk with an exciting clamber down the beck of Hacker Gill in resplendent Dentdale. |
| Newbiggin-on-Lune, Smardale Bridge, Bents Hill and Brownber | 4.6 | A lovely countryside walk in the north-west of the Yorkshire Dales. |
| West Burton and Aysgarth Falls | 5.0 | A perfect family walk. Pity when we did it we walked in the worse weather of the year. |
| Buckden, Cray and Hubberholme | 5.3 | A winter walk in Upper Wharfedale and Langstrothdale which came about because of a whiteout snowstorm. |
| Leyburn Shawl, Tullis Cote and Wensley Park | 5.4 | A walk centered on Leyburn and which explores the beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside west of the town. |
| Hebden, Edge Top, Grassington, Linton Falls and River Wharfe | 5.6 | A walk of hill and dale, the first half on a high edge over Wharfedale and the second half a walk along the River Wharfe. |
| Keld, Crackpot Hall, Swinner Gill and Kisdon Side | 5.7 | A walk of contrasts in Upper Swaledale from Keld to Ramps Holme Bridge and back. |
| Low Haygarth, Great Dummacks, Calders, Bram Rigg Top and the Calf | 5.7 | A great walk in the Howgill Fells to four of the five Yorkshire 2,000's in the range. |
| Middleham, Low Moor, Tupgill Park, Coverham and Coverdale | 5.8 | Walk in history exploring the childhood places of Richard III and then find a forbidden corner near Coverdale. |
| Appletreewick, River Wharfe, Howgill, Skyreholme and Troller's Gill | 5.8 | A walk of ups and downs in Wharfedale which includes riverside, upland and a limestone gorge. |
| Low Haygarth, Cautley Spout and the Calf | 5.9 | The most popular and most interesting walk in the Howgill Fells. Deservedly so. |
| Outhgill, High Seat, Gregory Chapel and Hugh Seat | 6.0 | A ridge walk is achieved by a steep ascent that requires careful navigation. |
| Horton in Ribblesdale, Pen-y-ghent and Hull Pot | 6.1 | The classic Pen-y-ghent walk from Horton in Ribblesdale which includes a visit to fantastic Hull Pot. |
| Ilkley Moor and Burley Moor | 6.3 | A heather moor walk to the Twelve Apostles Stone Circle and to the famous Cow and Calf rocks. |
| Kettlewell, Old Cote Moor, Arncliffe, Littondale and Hawkswick | 6.6 | Normally a moderate walk but it was hard on this occasion due to walking in deep snow! |
| Reeth, Grinton Bridge, Marrick Priory, Marrick and Fremington Edge | 6.6 | A Swaledale walk from Reeth which follows the valley to Marrick Priory before returning by upland and moor. |
| Malham, Kirkby Fell, Langscar Gate, Watlowes and Malham Cove | 6.9 | A walk from Malham village, the first half in quiet beautiful Dales countryside and the second half to the most famous Dales hotspot. |
| Reeth, River Swale, Maiden Castle, High Harker Hill and Grinton Lodge | 7.2 | A Swaledale walk of riverside and moor with a visit to two iron age hill forts. |
| Grassington Moor, Priest's Tarn, Black Edge and Mossdale Scar | 7.3 | A moorland yomp in a miscellany of old lead mine workings, shooting beats and wild nowhere land. |
| Malham Cove, Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar | 7.5 | This is without question the most popular of walks in the southern Yorkshire Dales. |
| Buckden, Cray, Yockenthwaite and Hubberholme | 7.7 | A walk in the pretty dales of Upper Wharfedale and Langstrothdale which visits the villages and hamlets of the area. |
| Ribblehead Viaduct, Force Gill Waterfall and Whernside | 7.9 | Whernside is one of the great Yorkshire Dales mountains and this walk proves it. A walk with unsurpassed views. |
| Austwick, Norber Erratics, Moughton Scar and Wharfe | 8.2 | The ultimate for those who enjoy natural Dales scenery. The walk is a geology lesson. |
| Bainbridge, Raydale and Semer Water | 8.3 | Begin by walking back in time over 2,000 years with the romans before visiting Raydale and Semer Water. |
| Giggleswick Scar, Feizor, Smearsett Scar, Stainforth Force and Stackhouse | 8.3 | A walk from Settle to two series of impressive limestone features and an exciting series of waterfalls. |
| Skyreholme Bank, Grimwith Reservoir and Stump Cross | 8.3 | This is a quiet moorland walk from Skyreholme Bank which includes some easy right to roam challenges. |
| Settle, Stainforth, Catrigg Force, Victoria Cave, Attermire Scar | 8.3 | There are many highlights to this walk. Add Winskill Stones and Warrendale Knotts to the list for a start. |
| Austwick, Thwaite Scars and Moughton Scars | 8.5 | Simply the best example of Limestone Pavement walking in the Yorkshire Dales. |
| Kingsdale, Whernside and Yordas Cave | 8.7 | The less trodden enigmatic climb to Whernside from the quiet of Kingsdale is followed by a visit to Yordas Cave. |
| West Witton, Penhill, Templar's Chapel & Redmire Force | 8.8 | Lower Wensleydale is the setting for this varied day of delights which begins in West Witton. |
| Horton in Ribblesdale, Pen-y-ghent, Plover Hill and Hull Pot | 8.9 | A classic Yorkshire Dales walk which covers the entire length of the upland masiff of Pen-y-ghent and Plover Hill. |
| Skirwith, Ingleborough, Chapel-le-Dale and Twisleton Scars | 9.0 | Starting out from Skirwith this classic route to Ingleborough includes Crina Bottom and Chapel-le-Dale. |
| East Witton, Ellingstring, Jervaulx Abbey and Cover Bridge | 9.1 | An invigorating Wensleydale walk with Jervaulx Abbey and the River Ure being particularly pleasing. |
| Reeth, Fremington Edge, Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale, Calver Hill and River Swale | 9.3 | A fascinating walk in one of the most beautiful but lesser known Yorkshire Dales. |
| Gunnerside Gill & Swinner Gill | 9.4 | Up Gunnerside Gill, across moor and down Swinner Gill, make for a fantastic round trip. |
| Park Fell, Simon Fell, Ingleborough and Ribblehead Viaduct | 9.4 | A stunning walk from Ribblesdale centered on exploring Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. |
| Clapham, Trow Gill, Gaping Gill & Ingleborough | 9.5 | An ascent of Ingleborough from Clapham via Trow Gill and returning by a unplanned route. |
| Grassington, Conistone Pie, Conistone Dib, Grass Wood and Ghaistrill's Strid | 9.5 | Follow the Dales Way by limestone pavements, cliffs and gorge before enjoying woodland and the River Wharfe. |
| Settle, Catrigg Force, Victoria Cave and Scaleber Force | 9.6 | This magical walk visits waterfalls and caves in the centre of limestone country. |
| Embsay Crag, Rylstone Cross, Cracoe War Memorial, Upper Barden and Embsay Moor | 9.6 | An interesting walk to Embsay Crag, Rylstone Cross and Cracoe Monument. |
| Grassington, Conistone, Mossdale Scar, Black Edge and Kimpergill Hill | 9.6 | A walk from Grassington to two Yorkshire Dales highlights, one a scene of tragedy. |
| Hubberholme, Birks Fell, Horse Head, Yockenthwaite and Langstrothdale | 9.6 | A spectacular moorland and valley walk from Hubberholme. The upland views are some of the best in the Yorkshire Dales. |
| Hebden, Grassington Moor, Linton Falls and River Wharfe | 10.0 | A walk around Grassington and Hebden with many highlights including a visit to old mine workings. |
| Mallerstang, Hell Gill, Old Road, Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell | 10.0 | Celebrate isolated and much underrated Mallerstang. This walk includes lovely valley views and spectacular upland paths. |
| Clapham, Trow Gill, Gaping Gill, Ingleborough, Cold Cotes & Newby | 10.1 | A superb walk up Ingleborough from Clapham and via Gaping Gill in the snows of winter. |
| West Witton, Penhill, Templar's Chapel & Redmire Force | 10.2 | Lower Wensleydale is the setting for this varied day of delights which begins in West Witton. |
| Gayle, Dodd Fell Hill, Drumaldrace and Wether Fell | 10.3 | A fantastic high level horseshoe walk from the poplular town of Hawes in Wensleydale. |
| Scar House Reservoir, Little Whernside, Dead Man's Hill and Great Haw | 10.4 | A tough moorland walk for determined walkers as there are sections of off route on tough ground. |
| Garsdale, Rawtheydale, Cautley, Low Haygarth and West Baugh Fell | 10.6 | Do you want adventure in your walks? Then this mix of paths, tracks and off routes is just the ticket. |
| Kettlewell, Buckden Pike, Starbotton and Upper Wharfedale | 10.8 | A walk from Kettlewell following Top Mere Road to Bucken Pike before hiking down to Starbotton for a walk along the River Wharfe back to the start. |
| Gunnerside, Old Gang Mills, Surrender Bridge and Swaledale | 10.9 | A walk of contrasts, first exploring lead mining heritage and then across flower meadows to a riverside walk. |
| Storiths, Posforth Gill, Simon's Seat, Lord's Seat, Hammerthorn Hill and Hazlewood Moor | 11.1 | A walk centered on the wonderful upland country of Barden Fell and Hazlewood Moor. |
| Settle, Catrigg Force, Victoria Cave and Attermire Scar | 11.2 | Explore the hills and dales around Settle on this walk which has surprise after surprise in store. |
| Malham Tarn, Fountain's Fell and Out Fell | 11.2 | Follow the Pennine Way from Malham Tarn to Fountain's Fell before enjoying a right to roam exploration of Out Fell. |
| Ilkley Moor | 11.3 | A tour of the moor from Panorama Wood to the Swastika Stone and Doubler Stones. |
| Kettlewell, Buckden Pike & Great Whernside | 12.0 | A walk from Kettlewell to Buckden Pike, a dales hill with a WW2 memorial and then on to Great Whernside. |
| Barbon, Castle Knott, Calf Top and Middleton Fell | 12.5 | A quiet Cumbrian moorland walk in the remote south-west of the Yorkshire Dales. |
| Thornton Rust, Addleborough, Askrigg, Mill Gill and Ellerkin Scar | 12.6 | A very interesting walk in Wensleydale to a hill with history, a super waterfall and to a limestone scar. |
| Leck, Ease Gill, Crag Hill, Great Coum and Gragareth | 12.9 | A walk which offers the walker awesome views of Lancashire, Yorkshire's Three Peaks and Lakeland too. |
| Litton, Halton Gill, Cosh Beck, Plover Hill and Pen-y-ghent | 13.0 | An alternative approach to fabulous Pen-y-ghent, one of the Yorkshire Dales finest hills. |
| Wild Boar Fell, River Rawthey and Uldale | 13.1 | A challenging fell walk to Wild Boar Fell followed by a scramblers adventure to secluded waterfalls. |
| Valley of Desolation, Simon's Seat, Troller's Gill and the Strid | 13.2 | A classic walk in lower Wharfedale with many exciting features and a gill of legend. |
| Great Shunner Fell, Buttertubs and Lovely Seat | 13.9 | A remote and airy walk from Sedbusk via Hardraw to Great Shunner Fell, Buttertubs and Lovely Seat. |
| Bolton Abbey, The Strid, Simon's Seat, Barden Moor and Valley of Desolation | 14.0 | A lovely river walk along the Strid followed by a walk to the iconic rock formation of Simons Seat. |
| Kilnsey, Mastiles Lane, Malham Tarn, Cote Gill Waterfall and Hawkswick | 14.2 | A winter walk along a drovers road to Malham Tarn then over rolling fells to a hidden waterfall of character. |
| The Howgill Fells Circuit | 18.1 | A Howgill Fells epic including visits to Winder, Arant Haw, Calders, Bram Rigg Top, The Calf, Hazelgill Knott, West Fell, Bowderdale, Randygill Top, Kensgriff and Yarlside. |
| Three Peaks Walk | 25.0 | The classic and very popular Yorkshire Dales challenge walk crossing its finest hills. |
Feedback and Suggestions:
I am always pleased to received feedback on the structure and content of the website. I also welcome suggestions on how I can improve the website which may include new areas to cover, new walks or route alterations to existing walks. To contact me with feedback and/ or suggestions please complete the Walking Englishman Feedback Form. Thank you.
(Note: Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Postscript: My walk reports are not route guides and should not be treated as such. They are written with personal reflections of my walks)
