The Dales Way

Walk through the Pennines and Lake District in the Yorkshire Dales. Welcome to the timeless beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, one of England’s purest Highland landscapes. With rolling green hills, limestone escarpments, winding valleys, and stone-built villages, this is a region where age-old traditions and stunning views remain remarkably untouched. Along the way, you’ll encounter waterfalls, Roman roads, ancient churches, abbey ruins, and cosy real ale pubs that reflect the proud heritage of the area.
This self-guided walking holiday follows the full 78-mile route of the much-loved Dales Way, a long-distance path established in 1969. Beginning in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the trail winds west through river valleys and over stretches of open moorland, finishing in the Lake District at Bowness-on-Windermere.
The walking is mostly gentle, though some sections can be muddy after rain, and there are a few higher moorland crossings. Much of the route follows picturesque rivers such as the Wharfe, Dee, Rawthey, Lune, and Kent, where you may spot kingfishers, dippers, wagtails, and even Berwick swans. Brown trout are often seen in the clear waters.
Highlights include a scenic walk through Wharfedale, time to explore the atmospheric ruins of Bolton Abbey, and a steady ascent to the Pennine watershed at Cam Fell, which rises to 1,700 feet (518 metres). From there, the trail descends into peaceful Dentdale, continues through the historic market town of Sedbergh, and crosses gently rolling pastureland to reach Lake Windermere.
This is a rewarding route for walkers seeking a true taste of rural upland England, full of natural charm, history, and quiet beauty.