Great Walks in The Yorkshire Dales

Great Walks in The Yorkshire Dales

The Walks

Our walks in the Dales include some of the most demanding routes in Britain, including the formidable Three Peaks Challenge. Yet there also quite neadows and gentle riverside rambles - with stunning scenery and views almost everywhere

3 Peaks Challenge

Background Briefing

A Stormy Day
On Ingleborough

Dales Stile

The Old Packhorse Bridge
Over The River Wharfe

Janet's Foss

A Norber Erratic

Goredale Scar

A Dales Resident

Above Linton Falls

Across The Moor To
Ribblehead Viaduct

Bolton Abbey Ruins

A Rocky Outcrop On
Fountains Fell

Linton Village Bridge

Malham Cove

Simon's Seat

The Initial Path To Ingleborough

The Trig Point Atop
Pen-y-ghent

The Pen-y-ghent Cafe

Barden Tower

Bolton Abbey Ruins

The Dales Countryside
Museum

Janet's Foss

Parceval Hall

Ribblehead Station

Malham Youth Hostel

Boroughbridge Camping
and Caravanning Site

The Anchor Inn
Gargrave
Premier Inns

The routes in this collection include some of the most exhilarating and satisfying walks within the Yorkshire Dales National Park – and outside its borders. The variety of terrain and scenery is terrific. Gentle riversides, lovely Dales villages, rocky scrambles, high peak ascents and open moorland combine to provide the walker with an unequalled choice.

Three of our most demanding walks take in the summits which comprise the Yorkshire Dales ‘Three Peaks Challenge’. Traditionally starting from the Pen-y-ghent Café in Horton in Ribblesdale, the objective is to complete all three peaks within twelve hours. You can conquer Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent on our three separate walks, each starting from a different location.

Our ascent of Whernside, at 736 metres the highest of the peaks, sets out from near the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. This vast structure stretching out over the moorland carries the iconic Settle–Carlisle rail line, of which more later. The route incorporates a bit of ‘yomping’, especially when wet, and some steep paths.

We tackle Ingleborough from the lovely Dales village of Clapham. Perhaps the charming stone houses beside the beck lull walkers into a false sense of well-being, ill preparing them for the steep, rocky path ahead. On the way to the summit you could take a brief diversion to Gaping Gill, or Ghyll; a vast hole into which the upper reaches of Clapham Beck plunge before reappearing again more than 100 metres lower and much closer to the village.

The summit of Pen-y-ghent itself is conquered from the start point of the full ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ – the Pen-y-ghent Café in Horton in Ribblesdale. The Café operates a reporting scheme for walkers. For details click on 3 Peaks Challenge.

Alternatively you could take our ‘Shadows of the Three Peaks’ walk which covers much of the ground covered by the full challenge, but without actually ascending the peaks.

Also starting from Horton in Ribblesdale is our only route which, strictly speaking, isn’t circular. You start with a trip on part of the Settle–Carlisle railway, but just one stop up to Ribblehead. Upon leaving the warmth of the railway carriage you are deposited on the sometimes wild and windy moorland from which the River Ribble goes forth. Now take our linear route back to Horton, perhaps taking well-deserved refreshment at the Pen-y-ghent Café or the Crown Hotel.

Not all our Dales walks are as strenuous as the three peaks. Further south, the Gargrave walk starts from the bridge over the River Aire before striking out into gentle countryside and taking in part of the Pennine Way .

Nor are all of our walks inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park itself. The Ilkley to Addingham route follows the banks of the River Wharfe for part of its length, and takes in some fantastic scenery. Why not treat yourself to a cream tea at the Ilkley branch of the world-famous Bettys Tea Room ?

The Chevin Forest Trail walk, for example, is the furthest south in this collection and covers rugged terrain with superb views over Otley.

Within the National Park, some of its most famous and spectacular features are the many waterfalls to be seen. Several of our routes afford views of these dramatic works of nature.

The Hebden walk first crosses an interesting suspension bridge before taking you round to the Linton Falls .

Just outside Malham you can visit the famous Janet’s Foss waterfall which, especially after heavy rainfall, is quite incredible with a picture-book aquamarine blue pool below the fall. And it’s entirely free!.

The Dales, of course, are also famous for caves. We have already mentioned Gaping Gill, above Clapham on our Ingleborough walk. You can’t go down it, or to be more accurate you can’t get out if you do drop in! There is one exception each year. On Whit Monday Bank Holidays (now re-branded as Late May Bank Holiday) the Bradford Pot-Holing Club arrange a ‘bosun’s chair’ by which the brave can be winched down and (for a small fee) back up again.

Other open caves can be seen on many of our upland walks. However, do take great care, and never enter a cave without local knowledge. There are also many ‘show caves’ in the area, in which you pay for a guided tour. See our ‘What to See’ section near the back of this book.

Spectacular rock formations abound. Perhaps the most fascinating is the boulder field known as the ‘Norber Erratics’. You can see these strange rocks on our Clapham, Austwick & Wharfe route. The huge boulders, seemingly carefully placed on tiny plinths, are remnants of material around which softer limestone has eroded over the millennia.

Elsewhere, glacial valleys are strewn with ‘moraine’; rocks simply left randomly behind when their icy rivers melted away after the last Ice-Age, nearly 10,000 years ago.

Up the Wharfe valley the walk from Strid passes the commanding presence of Barden Tower, a twelfth-century castle high above the Wharfe. The route also crosses the beautiful packhorse bridge nearby.

The Buckden Pike route from Kettlewell is, as the name suggests, a strenuous slog up to a summit high above the Wharfe Valley.

‘Dead Man’s Cave’ has an air of foreboding, heading out over moorland from Settle, one of the largest towns in the Dales. Also going forth from Settle we have a walk which initially goes with the Settle–Carlisle rail line and then visits cave entrances and more waterfalls.

You’ll almost certainly come face to face with the predominant residents of many of the fells and dales – Swaledale sheep. These distinctive animals have been bred for centuries to withstand the rigors of hard winters in these parts. Their wool yield is extremely high, particularly when you consider the sometimes sparse supply of food and nutriments.

Running through the Yorkshire Dales is a significant portion of the Pennine Way – a designated National Trail of some 268 miles. Several of our walks incorporate relatively short sections. It traverses along the rugged backbone of England from the Peak District through to the Northumbrian Cheviots. It starts at The Nags Head pub in Edale and ends at The Border Inn, Kirk Yetholm. Parts of it are also accessible for cyclists and horse riders. It passes through the Peak District National Park , the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Northumberland National Park . Its highest point is Cross Fell at 893 metres – 2902 feet.

Alfred Wainwright promised a pint for everyone who completed the Pennine Way . Fortunately for his bank balance Wainwright has long ceased to be able to honour his pledge. So many walkers now use the route every summer that the old boy would be virtually penniless.

CONTRIBUTORS

Yorkshire Dales walks, pictures and
background info have been compiled by:
John Jennison, Roger Barrand, Eric Joyce and Gerry Bindless

THE YORKSHIRE DALES - THE WALKS

Download your walk report by clicking on its icon

Walks Without An Icon Will Be Ready This Summer

ARNCLIFFE, GREAT CLOSE & COTE GILL
A demanding walk on ancient paths with many fascinating features 10.2 miles (16.3 km)
Toughness Rating: 4

BOLTON ABBEY RIVERSIDE
An easier stroll along the River Wharfe and the priory ruins
8.7 miles or 5.2 miles (13.9 km or 8.3 km)
Toughness Rating : 1

BOSS MOOR & BORDLEY
A fairly demanding ramble over upland pastures and moorland
7.4 miles or 6.3 miles (11.9 km or 10.0 km)
Toughness Rating : 4

BUCKDEN PIKE
A sometimes strenuous route with steep sections, from Kettlewell ascending Buckden Pike
10.2 miles (16.3 km)
Toughness Rating : 4

CLAPHAM, AUSTWICK & WHARFE
A fairly demanding circuit with some steep sections, walking amongst the Norber Erratics !
7.7 miles or 7.0 miles (12.3 km or 11.2 km)
Toughness Rating : 3

FOUNTAINS FELL
A strenuous start on the Pennine Way to the summit, then an easier return via lowland paths
11.6 miles (18.5 km)
Toughness Rating : 3

GARGRAVE & THE PENNINE WAY
A moderate walk including part of the Pennine Way and the Leeds - Bradford Canal
9.0 miles (14.4 km)
Toughness Rating : 2

GIGGLESWICK, FEIZOR & SMEARSETT
A sometimes strenuous ramble on upland limestone pastures up to Giggleswick Scar
7.9 miles or 8.5 miles (12.6 km or 13.6 km)
Toughness Rating: 4

HEBDEN & LINTON FALLS
A moderate walk taking in waterfalls, Dales villages and part of Wharfedale
7.9 miles (12.7 km)
Toughness Rating : 2

ILKLEY TO ADDINGHAM RIVERSIDE
A moderate walk from the start of the Dales Way, along the River Wharfe
6.3 miles (10.0 km)
Toughness Rating : 2

KIRKBY FELL - FROM MALHAM
A strenuous ascent followed by a riverside stroll
8.0 miles or 5.5 miles (12.8 km or 8.8 km)
Toughness Rating : 3

NIDDERDALE & SCAR HOUSE RESERVOIR
A moderately demanding ramble in Nidderdale
6.7 miles (10.7 km)
Toughness Rating: 3

OTLEY CHEVIN FOREST TRAIL
An easier walk around Otley's Chevin Forest
5.8 miles (9.2 km)
Toughness Rating : 2

RIBBLEHEAD & THE SETTLE-CARLISLE RAILWAY
A moderately tough walk, starting with a one way trip on the iconic rail line
7.2 miles (11.5 km)
Toughness Rating:   3

THE CAVES AND LIMESTONE EDGES OF SETTLE
A moderate walk from Settle, out to Scaleber Force waterfall and caves
8.5 miles (13.6 km)
Toughness Rating: 2

SHARP HAW FROM SKIPTON
A sometimes strenuous route, ascending one of the ‘Marilyn’ summits
11.6 miles or 7.5 miles (18.5 km or 12.0 km)
Toughness Rating: 3

SIMON’S SEAT AND THE STRID
A hard ascent to Simon’s Seat, then a more gentle return by the Wharfe
9.1 miles (14.5 km)
Toughness Rating: 4

TROLLERS GILL FROM KETTLEWELL
A stiff pull to the summit of Trollers Gill…..
8.2 miles (13.1 km)
Toughness Rating: 3

THE THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

The following four separate routes comprise all three peaks included
in the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Challenge, plus an easier 'taster' walk.

Each of our walks has a different start point.

The three main Challenge walks are very demanding, in terms of fitness level, navigational expertise and clothing requirements. These walks should be undertaken or led only by experienced mountain walkers.

IN THE SHADDOWS OF THE THREE PEAKS
A relatively moderate walk taking in much of the route of the Three Peaks Challenge, but without the ascent to the summits
11.5 miles (18.5 km)
Toughness Rating : 3

INGLEBOROUGH & GAPING GILL
A tough walk, passing caves and rising to the summit of Ingleborough 11.3 miles or 7.0 miles (18.0 km or 11.2 km)
Toughness Rating : 4

PEN Y GHENT
A steep path up to the lowest of the three peaks
6.5 miles (10.6 km)
Toughness Rating : 4

THE ASCENT OF WHERNSIDE
A steady ascent to the highest peak in Yorkshire, via the Ribblehead Viaduct
8.7 miles (13.5 km)
Toughness Rating : 4

The Pen-y-ghent Safety Reporting Service

Many ‘Three Peaks’ walkers will start and end their challenge at the Pen-y-ghent Café, which also houses the Tourist Information Centre The café offers a timing and safety service, thanks to its timing clock. The service is available to walkers undertaking any route from Horton. We recommend you enquire in advance if you wish to use this facility.

Pen-y-ghent Cafe
Horton in Ribblesdale
North Yorkshire BD24 0HE

Tel: 01729 860333

email: horton@ytbic.co.uk

TOUGHNESS RATINGS

Most of our Yorkshire Dales routes can be undertaken by reasonably fit walkers able to utilise the map segments and our recommended Ordnance Survey maps, together with the route guidance notes.

The toughest walks should be undertaken or led only by experienced mountain walkers with navigational expertise. Always consider recent and forecast weather.

Each walk has been allocated a Toughness Rating:

1.     Easier walks with modest ascent and generally on well defined paths. There may be stiles or narrow gateways to negotiate.

2.     Routes which are more demanding. They may include more ascent and possibly paths which are looser or more difficult underfoot.

3.     More strenuous walks. There may be prolonged steep ascents, and perhaps several ascents over the whole walk. Conditions may be challenging underfoot.

4.     The toughest walks, requiring considerable fitness and navigational experience. There may be prolonged steep ascents. The ability to navigate by compass may be essential.

Toughness Ratings are allocated in the context of the terrain in the edition area.
For example a walk rated as demanding in Cambridgeshire may be equivalent to an easier or moderate route in the Brecon Beacons.

Directory of Local Information Sources

WHAT TO SEE

Our selection of the most interesting things to see
or visit on or near the walks

Barden Tower
12^th Century Castle Ruins
Drebley
Magnificent castle ruins overlooking the River Wharfe

Bolton Abbey
Ruined Abbey and Priory
Bolton Abbey, Near Skipton
Tel: 01756 718009
Historic landscape and riverside trail
www.boltonabbey.com

The Bowes Museum
Museum & Art Collection
Barnard Castle
Tel: 01833 690606
A great collection of decorative art
www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

Constable Burton Hall Gardens
Garden and Park
Constable Burton, Near Leyburn
Tel: 01677 450428
Large, romantic garden and parkland
www.constableburtongardens.co.uk

The Dales Countryside Museum
Museum of Country Life
Station Yard, Hawes
Tel: 01969 886210
Interactive country museum with fascinating bygones
www.yorkshiredales.org.uk

Falconry U.K.
Birds of Prey Displays
Sion Hill Hall, Kirby Wiske, Near Thirsk
Tel: 01845 587522
Thirty species of Birds of Prey on view
www.falconrycentre.co.uk

Fountains Abbey
12^th Century Abbey and Gardens
Ripon
Tel: 01765 608888
A beautiful Cistercian Abbey and Georgian water garden
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Hesketh Farm Park
A Real Farm Experience
Bolton Abbey, Skipton
Tel: 01756 710444
A working farm with animals to delight everyone
www.heskethfarmpark.co.uk

Ingleborough Caves
Show Cave System
Above Clapham village
Modestly described as ‘The best show cave in England’

Janet’s Foss
Waterfall
Near Malham
A truly spectacular waterfall – and it’s free !

Kiplin Hall
Jacobean Stately Home
Scorton
Tel: 01748 818178
Home of George Calvert, founder of Maryland
www.kiplinhall.co.uk

Manor House Museum
Museum and Art Gallery
Castle Yard, Ilkley
Tel: 01943 600066
Roman and other fascinating artefacts

Middleham Castle
English Heritage Site
Middleham, Near Leyburn
Tel: 01969 623899
Visit the favourite home of King Richard III
www.english-heritage.org.uk

Newby Hall & Gardens
Stately Home & Gardens
Newby Hall, Ripon
Tel: 01423 322583
A fine Adam house and award-winning gardens
www.newbyhall.com

Parcevall Hall Gardens
Formal and Woodland Gardens
Skyreholme Lane, Appletreewick
Tel: 01756 720311
Sixteen acres of lovely gardens and woods
www.parcevallhallgardens.co.uk

Raby Castle
Dramatic Medieval Castle
Staindrop, Darlington
Tel: 01833 660202
See the Barons' Hall, where Knights plotted the Northern Rebellion
www.rabycastle.com

Richmond Castle
English Heritage Site
Tower Street, Richmond
Tel: 01748 822493
A castle high above the River Swale
www.english-heritage.org.uk

Settle - Carlisle Railway
Probably the Most Famous Rail Line in Britain
Horton in Ribblesdale Station, or Other Stations
Tel: 08457 484950
Superb views on this iconic railway journey, a short section
of which is incorporated into our Ribblehead walk
www.settle-carlisle.co.uk

Skipton Castle
Medieval Castle
Skipton
Tel: 01756 792442
Castle, dungeons, watchtower and tea rooms www.skiptoncastle.co.uk

Wensleydale Creamery
The Wensleydale Cheese Experience
Gayle Lane, Hawes
Tel: 01969 667664
See the famous cheese being made
www.wensleydale.co.uk

White Scar Cave
Show Cave
Ingleton
Tel: 01524 241244
Over a mile of fascinating underground chambers
www.whitescarcave.co.uk

Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre
Falconry Displays
Crows Nest Road, Austwick
Tel: 01729 822832
Eagles, owls, vultures, falcons and hawks on show
www.falconryandwildlife.com

GETTING HELP

Tourist Information Centres

Free local guide brochures available by post.
Information and an accommodation booking service
is available at the centres listed below, or online at:

www.yorkshire.com

Yorkshire Dales Tourist Partnership
The Town Hall, Settle, North Yorkshire
Tel: 01729 825470
www.yorkshiredales.org

Aysgarth Falls Tourist Information Centre
Aysgarth Falls, Near Leyburn, North Yorkshire
01969 662910

Grassington Tourist Information Centre
Hebden Road, Grassington, North Yorkshire
01756 751690

Harrogate Tourist Information Centre
Royal Baths, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
01423 537300

Horton in Ribblesdale Tourist Information Centre
Pen-y-ghent Café, Horton in Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire
01729 860333

Kirkby Lonsdale Tourist Information Centre
24 Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, North Yorkshire
015242 71437

Knaresborough Tourist Information Centre
Castle Courtyard, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
0845 389 0177

Leyburn Tourist Information Centre
4 Central Chambers, Leyburn, North Yorkshire
01969 623069

Malham National Park Information Centre
Malham, North Yorkshire
01969 652380

Pateley Bridge Tourist Information Centre
18 High Street, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire
01423 711147

Ripon Tourist Information Centre
Minster Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire
01765 604625

Settle Tourist Information Centre
Town Hall, Cheapside, Settle, North Yorkshire
01729 825192

Skipton Tourist Information Centre
35 Coach Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire
01756 792809

Thirsk Tourist Information Centre
49 Market Place, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
01845 522755

National Organisations

The Ramblers Association
Representing walkers throughout Britain
Tel: 020 7339 8500
www.Ramblers.org.uk

English Heritage
Preserving and maintaining our heritage in England
www.English-Heritage.org.uk

The National Trust
Properties described on their web site
Tel: 0870 458 4000
www.NationalTrust.org.uk

WHERE TO STAY

The Tourist Information Centres listed in Getting Help offer accommodation advice and booking services, as well as:

Yorkshire Dales Tourist Partnership
The Town Hall, Settle, North Yorkshire
Tel: 01729 825470
www.yorkshiredales.org

www.yorkshire.com

Other Organisations

Youth Hostels Association
All properties in the area and throughout
the U.K. are described on their web site.
Directory available free to members
Tel: 0870 770 8868
www.yha.org.uk

Camping & Caravanning Club
Details of 1400 camp sites on the web site
Tel: 0845 130 7632
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Town & Country Hotels

FREE directories and web sites for regional and national hotel groups or franchises:

Best Western Hotels
Franchised hotels throughout Britain
Tel: 0845 33 00 415
www.BestWestern.co.uk

Corus Hotels
Country & town centre hotels throughout Britain
Tel: 0845 300 2000
www.CorusHotels.com

The Independents
Consortium of 2 & 3 star hotels throughout Britain
Tel: 0800 88 55 44
www.TheIndependents.co.uk

Marston Hotels
Independent four star hotels throughout England
Tel: 0845 1300 700
www.MarstonHotels.com

Old English Inns
Classic Inns across England
Tel: 0800 917 3085
www.OldEnglishInns.co.uk

Premier Travel Inn
470 budget hotels across the U.K.
Tel: 0870 242 8000
www.PremierTravelInn.com

Travelodge
Budget accommodation across the U.K.
Tel: 08700 850 950

Welcome Break
Budget accommodation at motorway services
Tel: 0800 731 4466

Essential

Contributors

Safe & Courteous

Walking Our Routes

Toughness Ratings

Local Info

Getting Help

What To See

Where To Stay

Best Links

Weather To Walk

Ramblers Association

English Heritage

The National Trust

Camping and
Caravanning Club

Youth Hostels

Town & Country
Hotel Groups

Great Walks text and pictures are the copyright of Synchra Communication Ltd 2009

Mapping is the copyright of Synchra Communication Ltd 2009
Developed under License from The Ordnance Survey