Dales Way
A journey through Yorkshire's pastoral heart, from Ilkley to Windermere
Length: 82 miles
Duration: 5-8 Days
Difficulty: IntermediateFrom £950 per person
Discover Yorkshire's most breathtaking long-distance trails with Hike Yorkshire's expertly guided multi-day adventures. Our itineraries combine stunning landscapes, fascinating local history, and comfortable accommodation leaving you free to focus on the journey.
Qualified mountain leaders and local guidesDaily baggage transfersCarefully selected accommodationHistorical and folklore commentary throughout
Do you need a guide?
Hike Yorkshire provides ex-military guides who are highly trained in navigation, first aid, fieldcraft, and fitness. Their local knowledge is invaluable in ensuring your day out is both educational and enjoyable.
Conditions on the hills can change quickly, so taking a well-drilled professional along is the best way to make sure everyone returns safe and happy.
The Dales Way is a journey through the very heart of Yorkshire's pastoral beauty.
Beginning in Ilkley and ending on the shores of Lake Windermere, it traces a network of riverside paths through the Yorkshire Dales National Park blending rolling farmland, limestone gorges, and charming stone-built villages.
This is a route of contrasts: tranquil valleys, medieval ruins, and the timeless rhythm of rural life.
Route Highlights
- Start beneath Ilkley Moor before following the River Wharfe past Addingham's old mills.
- Visit Bolton Priory, a majestic Augustinian ruin set in ancient woodland.
- Cross the Stepping Stones and enjoy a riverside lunch at The Cavendish Pavilion.
- Overnight in Burnsall, a classic Dales village with a stone bridge and riverside inn.
Sights of Interest
- Bolton Abbey and Priory ruins – 12th-century monastery by the Wharfe
- Linton Falls – spectacular waterfalls near Grassington
- Dent Heritage Centre – stories of rural crafts and the "Terrible Knitters of Dent"
- Sedbergh's Bookshops – literary heart of the western Dales
- Lake Windermere – England's largest natural lake
Why Choose the Dales Way?
Gentle gradients and welcoming villages, ideal for first-time long-distance walkers
A perfect balance of nature, comfort, and culture
Expert guides share local folklore, dialect, and hidden gems
Coast to Coast
Traverse England from sea to sea, a legendary hike across mountains, moors, and countryside.
Cleveland Way
A dramatic trail combining coastal cliffs, ancient ruins, and sweeping moorland views.
Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay
Walk a stunning section of the Cleveland Way with dramatic clifftop views over the North Sea
Buckden Pike
Climb one of the Dales' most distinctive peaks with panoramic views over Upper Wharfedale