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The Dales Way

5.0Based on
8 days
8 daysDuration
Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining
20 peopleMaximum group size
18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Moderate
Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.
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Highlights

Walk the full 78-mile route from the Yorkshire Dales to the Lake District

Stay in Inns and Farmhouses dating from the 16th and 17th Centuries

Stroll along the banks of the Rivers Wharfe, Dee, Lune and Kent

Explore charming villages, historic churches, and the ruins of Bolton Abbey

Finish at Lake Windermere and revel in views of the Langdale Pikes

Well waymarked route with no technical hillwalking required

Itinerary

Stroll through England’s quintessential countryside on "The Dales Way," a self-guided walking tour spanning 78 miles from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere. Perfect for experienced and senior walkers, this eight-day journey traverses the Yorkshire Dales’ rolling hills, limestone cliffs, and green valleys—landscapes unchanged for centuries. Marvel at historic churches, cross Roman roads, and pause in charming villages with heritage pubs. The route follows the rivers Wharfe, Dee, Rawthey, Lune, and Kent, offering serene picnic spots and abundant birdlife. Walkers will relish the straightforward gradients, though some moorland crossings and muddy sections add gentle challenge. The unique experience is the pure immersion in England’s traditional countryside—complete with comfortable accommodations, transport, meals, and a true taste of rural charm.

day 1Arrive Ilkley

Make your own way to Ilkley. Optional walk to Cow, Calf Rocks and Ilkley Moor. Here you can find the ‘White Well’ a tiny Victorian spa, not much bigger than a luxury sized bath, popular in the days when people with pneumonia were encouraged to bathe in icy cold waters. If the flag is flying, a small teashop is also open (2.5 hr round trip). If you prefer to relax have a look around this attractive country town with its range of specialist local family shops and cafes, there is a branch of Betty’s Tea Rooms with declicious cakes and a variety of teas. There is a small history museum and next to it, All Saints Church, which is built on the site of a Roman fort, contains some Anglo-Saxon crosses dating back to the 9th century.

Accommodation
Stay in the Victorian Riverside Hotel. All facilities are ensuite and rooms come equipped with satellite TV. This is a pub hotel and does great food throughout the day and there is a separate restaurant area away from the bar. The picturesque setting, with river views and rowing in the summer months, make this an ideal place to start our tour.

day 2Ilkley to Burnsall 20.9 km/13 miles, 6 h. 500ft ascent

day 3Burnsall to Hubberholme 25.7 km/16 miles, 6.75 h. 850ft ascent

day 4Hubberholme to Cowgill 22.5km/14 miles, 6.5 h. 1500ft ascent

day 5Cowgill to Sedbergh 17.7 km/11 miles, 5 h. 500ft ascent

day 6Sedbergh to Burneside 25.7 km/16 miles, 6 h. 1300ft ascent

day 7Burneside to Bowness on Windermere 16 km/10 miles, 4 h

day 8Arrangements end after breakfast

The Dales Way

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What's Included

Accommodation
7 nights accommodation in hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available
Meals
7 breakfasts
Others
One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kgDigital information pack including Navigational App, maps, route notes & GPX filesEmergency hotline

What's Excluded

Monthly Price Comparison

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Dudley

The process from finding the tour we wanted to take to getting set up for the tour was an easy process. The other reviews we saw gave us the security of using their website to book our trip. The only item we missed which would have given a 5* was the trip did not include see the Alps up close or a train trip. Well maybe next time there may be one and we would definitely take that trip.
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