Where dry-stone walls trace ancient fields, waterfalls tumble through deep dales, and every path leads into wide, open country.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of England’s great strongholds for walking holidays, shaped by sweeping limestone valleys, high moorland plateaus, dramatic waterfalls, and stone-built villages set deep in rural northern England. Stretching across North Yorkshire and Cumbria, the park is defined by space, light, and some of the finest traditional walking country in Britain.
From classic long-distance trails to gentle riverside rambles and high-level moorland crossings, the Dales offer walking for every ability. Routes such as the Pennine Way, Dales Way, High Dales Way, and the Coast to Coast Path weave across the park, linking limestone scenery, quiet farming valleys, and high exposed ridges. Waterfalls crash through narrow gorges, dry-stone walls stitch together hillsides, and small market towns provide natural bases for exploration.
Beyond walking, the Yorkshire Dales are also a rewarding base for outdoor adventures. The park’s limestone geology creates world-class opportunities for caving, while rivers, becks, and tarns invite wild swimming in warmer months. Open moors suit trail running and fell running, and limestone crags around Malham and Ingleborough provide excellent climbing.
The Dales are equally celebrated for cycling holidays. Quiet lanes wind through valleys and over high passes, legendary climbs such as Fleet Moss and Buttertubs Pass attract road cyclists, and a growing network of off-road routes criss-crosses both valley floors and high open ground.
At the end of the day, the region offers a wide choice of independent places to stay — from traditional stone inns and country B&Bs to remote farm cottages and walker-friendly guesthouses in villages like Grassington, Hawes, Reeth, Malham, and Dent.
Whether you’re here for multi-day trekking, relaxed day walks, cycling tours, or slow village-to-village exploration, the Yorkshire Dales deliver scenery, solitude, and a powerful sense of continuity with the past.
England’s most famous National Trail crosses the heart of the park, passing Malham Cove, Pen-y-ghent, and the vast uplands of Great Shunner Fell — one of the classic multi-day walking routes in Britain.
One of the most spectacular walking areas in the Dales, featuring limestone pavements, a towering curved cliff, waterfalls, and deep ravines carved by ancient watercourses.
A 78-mile long-distance trail from Ilkley to Windermere, following river valleys through Wharfedale, Dentdale, and across the western fringes of the park.
A quieter, high-level alternative linking Dent, Garsdale, Upper Wensleydale, Swaledale, and the eastern Dales — ideal for walkers seeking wider horizons and fewer crowds.
A wilder dale of old lead-mining trails, riverside paths, and high fell crossings, ideal for full-day walks and village-to-village routes.
Home to the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge — Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough — offering one of the UK’s most iconic mountain walking circuits.
It lies mainly in North Yorkshire, with western fringes extending into Cumbria. The park sits between the Lake District and the North York Moors.
Highlights include Malham Cove, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the Pennine Way, Dales Way, High Dales Way, Swaledale ridge walks, and waterfalls at Aysgarth and Hardraw.
Yes — while some moorland routes are demanding, there are many gentle riverside walks, valley circuits, and well-waymarked routes suitable for all abilities.
Absolutely. The Dales are one of England’s premier cycling regions, famous for quiet lanes and legendary hill climbs.
Popular bases include Grassington, Hawes, Reeth, Malham, Skipton, Settle, and Dent, all offering excellent access to walking and cycling routes.
