Yorkshire & The Dales
God’s Own County
The Yorkshire Dales National Park and Yorkshire itself is a beautiful place, hence the name ‘God’s own country. The history and landscape allures people from all around the world and has a bit of everything for everyone. I have always lived on the edge of the Dales, and visited regularly ever since I was a young lad. However, I never truly appreciated the area until in my late 20’s where I began to cycle and hike/walk more regularly. I found my hunger and curiosity grew the more I visited, immersing myself in the landscape.
Below you will find the hikes/walks that have ratings of difficulty and contain mainly my own stories, routes, GPX files and, photographs. Some longer than others. I hope others can enjoy their own Yorkshire adventure like me.
BLOGS & ROUTES
Birks Fell
Birks Fell is situated in-between the valleys of Wharfedale and Littondale. Until recently, it has been labelled as a Marilyn. A peak that is above 2000ft, which is also classified as part of the Dales 30.
Distance: 9 miles / 14 km Location: Starbottom
The Dales Highway
The Dales Highway is a 90-mile voyage over the higher fells of the Yorkshire Dales. It starts from Saltaire and ends in Appleby-in-Westmorland.
Distance: 90 miles / 144 km Location: Saltaire to Appleby
Dodd Fell & Drumaldrace
Dodd Fell & Drumaldrace are part of the Dales 30. The route starts from the town of Gayle, following a lovely horseshoe route. Fells of Sleddale valley surround it to the south of Hawes in Wensleydale.
Distance: 9 miles / 14 km Location: Gayle
Sharp Haw & Rough Haw
Sharp Haw & Rough Haw lie near Skipton on the border of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Standing at a mere 1171ft (357 metres), it earns its ‘Sharp’ credentials due to rising to a point, whereas ‘Rough Haw’ is much more rounded and rugged. A fine contrast between the two.
Distance: 6 miles / 10 km Location: Skipton
Simon & Park Fell
Simon Fell & Park Fell are two of Ingleborough’s near neighbour fells. Ingleborough is the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales and the highest of the infamous Three Peaks. Whilst Simon Fell is the smaller less visited and is also part of the Dales 30.
Distance: 7 miles / 11 km Location: Chapel-le-Dale
Plover Fell
Plover Fell is Pen-y-Ghent’s neighboring Fell. It is one of the more remote and least accessed, however, that’s what makes it so special. It also contributes to one of the Dales 30 with it being over 2000ft in height. The hike itself starts from the quiet village of Halton Gill in Littondale in the Yorkshire Dales.
Distance: 9 miles / 14 km Location: Halton Gill
Burnsall via Linton Falls
Burnsall is one of my favourite little villages in the Yorkshire Dales. It is situated on the River Wharfe and surrounded by large rolling fells and vast grassy areas. Whilst in the village, take a stroll beside the river or relax in some of the nearby Dales cafes. There is also a lovely cosy pub ‘The Red Lion’ to quench your thirst whilst watching the world go by.
Distance: 7 miles / 11 km Location: Burnsall
Malham Cove, Gordale Scar & Janet’s Foss
Malham, Gordale Scar & Janet’s Foss. A historic, yet magical landscape that is truly fascinating. Somewhere not to be missed if you’re ever visiting the Yorkshire Dales. Every time I visit it blows my mind, to think this is naturally made and has been here for 1000 of years. It’s no wonder people from around the world come here.
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km Location: Malham
Stainforth Force, Catrigg Foss via Jubilee, Albert and Victoria Caves
Settle, is said to be one of Yorkshire’s best market towns there is, with its bustling atmosphere and easy access to both Forest of Bowland and the Lake District. It is a great location to explore the Dales natural wonders, consisting of prehistoric caves along Langcliffe Scar and secluded waterfalls from the quaint town of Stainforth.
Distance: 10 miles / 16km Location: Settle
Gragareth via Yordas Cave & The Cheese Press stones
Yordas Cave, The Cheese Press Stone, and Gragareth all lie in the area of Kingsdale, on the western slopes of the Yorkshire Dales. The area is full of limestone features such as pavements and caves, including Yordas cave and The Cheese Press Stone.
Distance: 7 miles / 12km
Location: Kingsdale
Darnbrook & Fountains Fell
Contributing to part of the Dales 30, and rarely visited, are Darnbrook Fell & Fountains Fell. They are one of many mountains in the Yorkshire Dales, starting and finishing in the modest village of Arncliffe.
Distance: 13.5 miles / 22 km
Location: Arncliffe
Moughton & Moughton Scar
Situated in the Yorkshire Dales lies the quaint Town of Austwick. A town where visitors can explore stunning geological sites such as the Norber Erratics, a collection of carboniferous limestone and sandstone boulders that were moved by the ice age glaciers created by weather erosion. Moughton and Moughton Scar have an irresistible limestone panorama.
Distance: 8.5 miles / 13.6 km
Location: Austwick
Rylstone Cross & Cracoe Fell
Rylstone is a tiny village alongside the busy A6265 Skipton to Grassington road with an attractive duck pond manor house, which used to be the village green. It is also home to the famous ‘Calendar Girls’ which is where some of them still live. For such a small hamlet, it’s your standard pretty country village in the Dales.
Distance: 8 miles / 13 km
Location: Rylstone
Beamsley Beacon
Beamsley Beacon (also known as Howber Hill) is a prominent landmark in the Lower Wharfedale area and lies on the boarder of the Yorkshire Dales. The summit is visible by a large stone mound that has said to have been built around 4,500 years ago.
Distance: 8 miles / 13 km
Location: West Yorkshire
Keighley Moor
The trail took us deeper into the wild moorland, submerging ourselves deeper towards the valley of Cowling below, as etchings of trail lines lay in front.
Distance: 9 miles / 14 km
Location: Oxenhope
Oxenhope Nab & High Brown Knoll
Oxenhope Nab is a short but rewarding walk, with stunning views overlooking the village of Oxenhope in West Yorkshire. As the Nab is fairly close to my home, I was keen to explore further into the bleak wind-swept moorlands that lay behind it.
Distance: 11 miles / 18 km
Location: Oxenhope
The Bingley Bash
Bingley, West Yorkshire, my hometown, is where I have grown up and is situated in between Skipton, Leeds, and Bradford. It is only an hour’s drive into the Yorkshire Dales and 2 hours to the Lake District, the ideal location to explore I’d say
Distance: 18 miles / 29 km
Location: Bingley
Great Whernside
Contributing to part of the Dales 30, Great Whernside is one of many mountains in upper Wharfedale, starting and finishing in the modest village of Kettlewell. Although the route can be challenging on foot in parts, as the terrain is slightly rougher. This makes for an excellent microadventure high up in the fells of the Yorkshire Dales.
Distance: 8 miles / 13km
Location: Kettlewell
Top Withens & Haworth Moor
Snow had fallen heavily the night before, forecasting lots of ice on the roads, so we decided to stay local and explore the snowy moorland of Haworth Moor, knowing that it would make for a grand day out.
Distance: 6 miles / 10 km
Location: Haworth
Hidden Valleys of Wharfedale
Planted in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales in the North of England, Upper Wharfedale is a u-shape valley that follows the River Wharfe along quiet villages such as Buckden, Yokenthwaite, Hubberholme, Littondale, Kettlewell, Starbotton, and Langstrothdale to name a few.
Distance: 13 miles / 20 km
Location: Buckden