Yorkshire Dales Walks,Walking Routes & Hiking Trails
All Yorkshire Dales walks are free to download and print and all routes have GPS files. The walks cover all the major Dales and are subdivided by Dale. The Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent have their own sub-section. In addition walks in the Howgill Fells are also listed.
Highlights of walking in the Yorkshire Dales include walks to the 'Yorkshire Big Three', riverside walks through Wharfedale, hikes in Swaledale with its rich Industrial Heritage and wonderful landscape, walks to Malham Cove and Tarn, plus many other scenic routes through the dales and across moors.
Area walks and walking guides
Lower Wharfedale, Cracoe, Burnsall & Bolton Abbey Walks
Walking Highlights. Personal favourites include the Valley of Desolation and Simon's Seat, Barden Fell, the Rylestone Edges above Cracoe and Trollers Gill. An easy walk full of interest is Barden Bridge and the Strid from Bolton Abbey.
Where to stay - Skipton, Burnsall, Ilkley and Addingham are convenient for walking in this area.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1576★ | Embsay Reservoir | easy | 1.00 |
| 1001★ | Barden Bridge & the Strid from Bolton Abbey | easy | 4.00 |
| 3109★ | Rylstone Edges & Cracoe from Rylstone | easy/mod | 6.00 |
| 1811★ | Sharp Haw in Airedale from the Craven Heifer | easy/mod | 7.00 |
| 1946★ | Valley of Desolation & Simon's Seat | moderate | 8.40 |
| 1280★ | Trollers Gill from Burnsall | moderate | 9.00 |
| 1905★ | Beamsley Beacon and Bolton Abbey from Addingham | moderate | 10.00 |
| 1249★ | Simon's Seat from Bolton Abbey | moderate | 10.00 |
| 2574★ | Valley of Desolation & Barden Fell | moderate | 11.00 |
| 2000★ | A Wharfedale wander from Burnsall | moderate | 13.50 |
Upper Wharfedale, Grassington, Kettlewell & Buckden Walks
Walking Highlights. This is a fine area for walking with varied terrain. Personal favourites include an ascent of Buckden Pike, following the Dales Way between Kettlewell and Yockenthwaite, Conistone Dib and Capplestone Gate plus the hike from Kettlewelll into Littondale and Arncliffe.
Where to stay - Grassington, Kettlewell, Starbotton, Buckden and Hubberholme are convenient for walking in this area.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1846★ | Garnshaw House & Linton Falls from Grassington | easy | 3.00 |
| 2611★ | Hebden Gill from Hebden | easy | 4.00 |
| 1573★ | Grimwith Reservoir | easy | 4.50 |
| 1277★ | Starbotton from Kettlewell | easy/mod | 5.00 |
| 3301★ | Conistone to Grassington via the Dib | easy | 5.00 |
| 1407★ | Thorpe & Burnsall from Linton | easy/mod | 6.20 |
| 2610★ | Hebden Gill & Cupola Corner | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 1278★ | Cosh & Foxup from Halton Gill | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 2423★ | Capplestone Gate & Conistone Pie from Conistone | easy/mod | 6.80 |
| 1294★ | Arncliffe from Kettlewell | moderate | 7.00 |
| 1632★ | Arncliffe & Starbotton from Kettlewell | moderate | 7.00 |
| 3262★ | Copplestone Gate and Conistone Pie from Conistone | easy/mod | 7.00 |
| 1250★ | Great Whernside from Kettlewell | moderate | 8.00 |
| 1254★ | Yockenthwaite & Hubberholme from Buckden | moderate | 8.00 |
| 2132★ | Buckden Pike and Hubberholme | moderate | 8.40 |
| 1292★ | Thorpe Fell & Cracoe from Linton | moderate | 9.00 |
| 1281★ | Buckden Pike from Buckden | moderate | 10.50 |
| 1145★ | Grassington, Mastilles Lane & Conistone Dib | moderate | 11.25 |
| 1645★ | Mastilles Lane & Conistone Dib from Grassington | moderate | 12.00 |
Malhamdale & Malham Cove Walks
Walking Highlights. Malham is an excellent area for walking. Personal highlights include the easy walk to Malham Cove, any walks including Gordale Scar and the 'five-star' walk from Malham Tarn to Malham Cove returning via the Watlowes dry valley.
Where to stay - Malham is the prefered centre for walking in this area. However Settle and Gargrave are convenient alternatives.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2737★ | The River Aire & Kirkby Malham from Malham | easy | 3.00 |
| 3577★ | Malham Cove from Malham | easy | 3.00 |
| 2704★ | Kirkby Malham & Hanlith from Malham | easy | 4.00 |
| 3092★ | Malham Cove & Watlowes from Malham Tarn | easy | 4.40 |
| 1274★ | Nappa Cross from Malham | easy/mod | 5.50 |
| 2066★ | Winterburn Reservoir from Winterburn | easy | 6.00 |
| 1377★ | Calton and Hanlith Moors from Airton | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 3307★ | Gargrave to Flasby | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 3107★ | Flasby Fell from Flasby | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 1239★ | Gordale Scar & Malham Cove (Route B) | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 1701★ | Bordley Hall & Malham Moor | easy/mod | 7.00 |
| 1051★ | Gordale Scar & Malham Cove (Route A) | moderate | 7.00 |
| 2602★ | Gordale Scar & Malham Cove (Route C) | moderate | 9.10 |
| 1282★ | Arncliffe from Malham Tarn | moderate | 12.50 |
Lower Ribblesdale, Settle & Langcliffe Walks
Walking Highlights. Lower Ribblesdale offers a variety of easier walks amidst the limestone scenery so typical of this part of the Yorkshire Dales. Favourite walks include Attermire Scar and Catrigg Force, the Norber Erratics and Sulber Gate, and Giggleswick Scar.
Where to stay - Settle, Clapham, Austwick, Stainforth and Langcliffe are convenient for walking in this area.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1740★ | Attermire Scar & Victoria Cave from Settle | easy/mod | 5.10 |
| 1105★ | Settle Circular | easy/mod | 6.00 |
| 1403★ | Attermire Scar and Catrigg Force from Settle | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 2082★ | Attermire Scar, Catrigg Force & Langcliffe | easy/mod | 7.50 |
| 2603★ | Feizor & Giggleswick Scar from Settle | easy/mod | 8.00 |
| 1251★ | The Norber Erratics & Sulber Gate | moderate | 8.00 |
| 2620★ | Sulber Gate & Crummack Dale from Austwick | moderate | 9.50 |
| 2617★ | Nappa Cross & Victoria Cave from Langcliffe | moderate | 9.50 |
| 1404★ | Oxenber and Wharfe Woods from Langcliffe | moderate | 10.50 |
| 2649★ | Attermire Scar & Malham Tarn from Stainforth | mod/hard | 16.50 |
Upper Ribblesdale & Three Peaks Walks
Walking Highlights. The 'Big Three' peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent are the focus of walking in this area. Walks to these summits do not involve any technical difficulties hence their popularity. Personal favourites also include the Norber Erratics, the Ingleton Waterfalls Walk and walks starting from Dentdale.
Where to stay - Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Clapham and Ingleton all provide an ideal base for walking in this area.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3091★ | Ingleton Waterfalls Walk from Ingleton | easy | 4.30 |
| 3233★ | Dent & Gawthrop | easy/mod | 6.00 |
| 3094★ | Norber & Norber Erractics from Clapham | easy/mod | 6.30 |
| 1013★ | Pen-y-ghent via Brackenbottom | moderate | 6.50 |
| 1500★ | Pen-y-ghent via Horton Scar | moderate | 6.75 |
| 3599★ | Clapham, Oxenber Woods, Feizor & Settle | easy/mod | 7.50 |
| 1208★ | Ingleborough & Park Fell from Chapel-le-Dale | moderate | 7.50 |
| 3340★ | Blea Moor & Denthead from Ribblehead | moderate | 8.20 |
| 3032★ | Gragareth & Great Coum, from Yordas Cave, Ingleton | moderate | 9.00 |
| 1121★☩ | Pen-y-ghent & Plover Hill from Horton in Ribblesdale | moderate | 9.00 |
| 3500★☩ | Ingleborough from Chapel-le-Dale | moderate | 9.50 |
| 1248★☩ | Trow Gill, Ingleborough & Long Scar from Clapham | moderate | 9.50 |
| 1184★☩ | Whernside & Scales Moor from Ribblehead | moderate | 11.00 |
| 2409★ | The Upper Eden valley without a car | moderate | 12.00 |
| 1052★☩ | Whernside & Dentdale from Dent | mod/hard | 12.00 |
| 3135★ | Dentdale & Bleamoor | moderate | 12.50 |
| 2796★ | Gaping Gill, Ingleborough & Norber From Clapham | moderate | 13.00 |
| 1926★☩ | Pen-y-ghent & Littondale | hard | 16.00 |
| 3433★☩ | Pen-y-ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough from Horton | very hard | 24.50 |
Wensleydale Walks
Walking Highlights. Wensleydale is the only dale not named after its river. The dale is wide with the River Ure following a gentle course through green pastures. Semer Water located on the side of the dale is my favourite place to walk as are routes through the valley. Aysgarth Falls especially after heavy rain are well worth including in a walk.
Where to stay - Hawes, Askrigg, Bainbridge, Aysgarth, Carperby and West Burton all provide an ideal base for walking in this area.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3524★ | Semer Water and Cam High Road from Bainbridge | easy/mod | 5.70 |
| 1694★ | Nappa Hall & Whitfield Gill Force from Askrigg | easy/mod | 6.00 |
| 1680★ | Haw Lane & Aysgarth Moor from Aysgarth | easy/mod | 6.30 |
| 3333★ | Redmire Force & the Templar's Chapel from West Witton | easy/mod | 6.70 |
| 1055★ | Penhill & West Burton from Aysgarth Falls | moderate | 10.00 |
| 2822★ | Aysgarth & Castle Bolton From Askrigg | mod/hard | 14.50 |
Swaledale Walks
Walking Highlights. Swaledale is my favourite dale and is characterised by its iconic field barns and stone walls. The area around Gunnerside is rich in industrial heritage. Favourite walks include Gunnerside and Swinner Gills where you can explore the ruins of the lead mining industry. Just outside the National Park lies Nine Standards Rigg with its prominent cairns offering a wonderful view into the Eden Valley.
Where to stay - Thwaite, Muker, Keld, Gunnerside and Reeth all convenient for walking in this area.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1253★ | Booze & Slei Gill from Langthwaite | easy | 2.50 |
| 1252★ | Great Pinseat from Surrender Bridge | easy/mod | 5.50 |
| 3093★ | Bunton Hush, Blakethwaite & Gunnerside Gill | easy/mod | 5.50 |
| 1341★ | Nine Standards Rigg, Near Nateby | moderate | 6.00 |
| 1340★ | Muker & Upper Swaledale from Keld | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 1053★ | Swinner Gill and Muker from Thwaite | mod/hard | 8.50 |
| 1197★ | Gunnerside & Swinner Gills from Gunnerside | moderate | 8.50 |
| 1056★ | Gunnerside & Surrender Bridge | moderate | 10.25 |
Mallerstang & Howgill Fells Walks
Walking Highlights. The Howgill Fells provide excellent walking and generally see few walkers. Careful navigation is essential as the area is a complex system of ridges and deep valleys. Personal favourites are an evening stroll to Cautley Spout, an ascent of Aran Haw and Winder or Wild Boar Fell in nearby Mallerstang.
Where to stay - Sedbergh, Kirkby Stephen and Ravenstonedale all provide ideal bases for walking in this area.
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1387★ | Cautley Spout from Cross Keys | easy | 2.00 |
| 1393★☩ | Yarlside from Cross Keys | moderate | 4.00 |
| 3006★☩ | Cautley Spout & The Calf, from Cross Keys, Sedbergh | moderate | 5.50 |
| 1160★ | Wild Boar Fell & Swarth Fell from Cotegill Bridge | moderate | 7.00 |
| 3008★☩ | Winder & Arant Haw from Sedbergh | moderate | 7.00 |
| 3007★☩ | Fell Head & The Calf, from Howgill, near Sedbergh | moderate | 7.50 |
| 2438★☩ | Cautley Spout & the Calf from Sedbergh | moderate | 10.00 |
| 1616★☩ | Bowderdale and the Calf | moderate | 10.00 |
| 1196★☩ | The Calf from Sedbergh | mod/hard | 10.50 |
★ GPS file ☩ Route profile
