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Hiking Through the Yorkshire Dales
 The
Yorkshire Dales are an idyllic pastoral landscape of green valleys criss-crossed
by dry-stone walls marking field boundaries. Picturesque villages and
hamlets consisting of little more than a pub and post office abound. Old
farmhouses and ‘stone barns’ dot the valley sides. Above the Dales are
open rolling moorlands rising to 600m (2000 feet) or more. This tour
includes the whole of the much loved Dales Way long distance path, which
runs right across the Yorkshire Dales National Park and on to the shores
of Windermere in the Lake District National Park.
The Dales Way, as
its name suggests, is essentially a valley walk, traversing landscapes
which are among those best-loved by the English themselves. Of course, for
Yorkshire folk, there is absolutely nothing to compare with Yorkshire
scenery, and one has to concede that they have a point. The hamlets and
farmsteads of the Yorkshire Dales, with their dry-stone walls and outlying
stone barns are, frankly, incomparable. If you walk nowhere else in
England, walk here. You won’t regret it!
The route starts
from the pleasant small town of Ilkley, overlooked by Ilkley Moor and
where just upstream the River Wharfe emerges from Wharfedale. The Dales
Way then follows the river past the medieval ruins of Bolton Abbey, along
the Strid ravine and through the pretty villages of Burnsall, Grassington,
Kettlewell and Buckden. You then climb over wild open moorland to reach
the highest point of the route at Cam Fell (518m). Dentdale is quieter and
more remote than Wharfedale; you pass through the pretty village of Dent
with its cobbled streets and onto the market town of Sedbergh, nestling
below the steep slopes of the Howgill Fells. For the last two days of the
tour the trail crosses a delightful landscape of small sheep farms and the
land becomes more rugged and the views more enticing as you enter the Lake
District.
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days - The small towns, villages and isolated
farmhouses along this popular National Trail are well used to
accommodating walkers. On 4 of the nights, including the first and
last of the tour, all the rooms have ensuite facilities, and on two
other nights some ensuite rooms are available. Almost all our stop-overs
are historic buildings in their own right, including farmhouses (in
upper Wharfedale and near Kendal) dating from the 16th
and 17th centuries, our guesthouse in Bowness-on-Windermere
dates back to 1613, and a stone-built Victorian hotel on the banks of the Wharfe at Ilkley.
We particularly enjoy the open log fires and great bar meals in our
17th century inns in Dentdale and Wharfedale. In Sedbergh
we stay at an old Dukes townhouse dating back to 1730. Oak panelling
in the dining area, the fireplaces and the original 18th century
plumbing are preserved. Try the gourmet packed lunch here! Most of
the accommodation provides that welcome English feature; tea and
coffee making facilities in all the rooms!
Sherpa
Notes
Waymarks
The route is well signposted and easy to follow.
Accommodation
and Meals
On a B&B basis in two farmhouses and comfortable country inns
and hotels. Ensuite facilities when available.
Start
and End of Tour
Most convenient major city and international airport is Manchester -
2 hrs by rail to Ilkley via Leeds. From London take the train from
Kings Cross to Ilkley. Journey time 3.5 hours, changing en route at
Leeds. In Bowness after breakfast on day 8. Taxi or walk to
Windermere station. Then local train to Oxenholme and train to
Manchester. Journey time 2.5 hours. For trains to London, as above
to Oxenholme. Then direct train to London Euston. Journey time 4
hours. |
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