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The Dales Way
The Dales Way is an 80-mile walking route from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria travelling through Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales with three links connecting to the start of the walk in Ilkley.
About The Dales Way
The Dales Way is an 80-mile walking route from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria. There are also three links to the starting point in Ilkley including the 16.5-mile Harrogate Link which goes from the spa town of Harrogate through the Washburn Valley close to the Beaver Dyke and Swinsty reservoirs.
Passing through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the route takes in dramatic scenery and pretty villages and can easily be broken into stages with overnight accommodation along the way.
The Yorkshire Dales section travels the length of Wharfedale going through the villages of Appletreewick, Burnsall and Grassington, which is a good overnight stop, then continuing through Kettlewell and Buckden and on to Yockenthwaite before the route leaves the Yorkshire Dales and heads into Cumbria.
The full walk can be completed in six to eight days.
Frequently asked questions
- What is The Dales Way and what towns does the route link?
- The Dales Way is a long-distance walking route that links Ilkley in West Yorkshire with Bowness-on-Windermere, taking in valley and upland scenery through parts of Wharfedale and the Yorkshire Dales.
- How long is The Dales Way and how much time should I allow to walk it?
- The route covers roughly 79 miles and most walkers allow around six to eight days to complete the whole trail, though pace and itinerary vary by ability.
- Where does The Dales Way start and how do I reach the trailhead at Ilkley?
- The trail begins in Ilkley; Ilkley has a railway station with regular services from Leeds, making it straightforward to reach the trailhead by public transport.
- Can I walk just part of The Dales Way if I don't want to do the whole route, and which sections are good for day walks with a family?
- Yes — many people walk The Dales Way in stages rather than end-to-end; the lowland valley sections such as stretches through Wharfedale are well suited to day walks and are more family-friendly than higher, more exposed upland sections.
