Yorkshire Dales Walks: Best Walks in the Dales
This guide covers every major walking area in the Yorkshire Dales — from Swaledale in the north to Wensleydale, Wharfedale and beyond. Whether you're looking for the best walks in yorkshire dales or planning your first yorkshire dales hiking adventure, browse by sub-region and difficulty to find the perfect route.
Understanding the Yorkshire Dales
A dale is a river valley — the word comes from the Old Norse dalr. The Yorkshire Dales National Park, designated in 1954, protects over 1,770 square kilometres of the finest of these valleys. But not every dale in Yorkshire lies within the Park boundary, and not every walk in our guide is inside the National Park. Understanding the distinction helps you choose the right walk.
The table below compares what's inside vs outside the National Park boundary:
| Feature | Inside the National Park | Outside the National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-regions | Swaledale, Wensleydale, Wharfedale, Dentdale, Airedale | Yorkshire Wolds, Vale of York, South & West Yorkshire |
| Landscape | Limestone pavements, waterfalls, open moorland, fell tops | Rolling farmland, chalk wolds, river valleys, urban fringe |
| Protected since | 1954 (Yorkshire Dales National Park designated) | Various — AONBs, SSSIs, or undesignated countryside |
| Walking character | Classic Dales fell walks, riverside paths, the Three Peaks challenge | Lower-level countryside, wolds ridgeways, riverside town walks |
| Managed by | Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority | Local authorities, National Trust, private landowners |
The Yorkshire Three Peaks — Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent — are among the most famous walks in the Dales. See our guides to Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-ghent.
Source: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. [VERIFY: confirm boundary details]
Browse Yorkshire Dales Walks by Sub-Region
Yorkshire Dales walks span 12 sub-regions, from the high fells of Swaledale to the gentle chalk hills of the Yorkshire Wolds. Use the filters below to find walks near you, or browse the full directory of 16 walks further down this page.
| Sub-Region | Number of Walks | Difficulty Range |
|---|---|---|
| Airedale | 1 | Easy to Moderate |
| Dentdale | 1 | Easy to Moderate |
| North Yorkshire | 3 | Easy to Moderate, Easy to Hard |
| South Yorkshire | 1 | Easy to Hard |
| Swaledale | 1 | Easy to Moderate |
| Vale of York | 1 | Easy to Moderate |
| Wensleydale | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| West Yorkshire | 1 | Easy to Hard |
| Wharfedale | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| Yorkshire | 1 | Easy to Hard |
| Yorkshire Dales National Park | 1 | Easy to Hard |
| Yorkshire Wolds | 1 | Easy to Hard |
Showing 16 Yorkshire Dales walks
Yorkshire Dales National Park Walks in Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales offers some of the best walks in the dales, with limestone pavements, waterfalls and rolling moorlan...
Swaledale Walks in Swaledale
Walks in Swaledale follow the River Swale through wild moorland, hay meadows and stone-built villages such as Reeth and ...
Wensleydale Walks in Wensleydale
Walks in Wensleydale follow the River Ure through Hawes, Leyburn and Askrigg, passing waterfalls such as Aysgarth Falls....
North Yorkshire Walks in Malton
Walks in Malton, North Yorkshire explore the market town and the riverside paths along the River Derwent. This guide to ...
North Yorkshire Walks in Bedale
Walks in Bedale follow gentle riverside paths and countryside trails around this North Yorkshire market town. This guide...
Wharfedale Walks in Burnsall
Walks from Burnsall follow the River Wharfe through the heart of Wharfedale, with riverside paths and climbs onto the su...
Wharfedale Walks in Grassington
Walks around Grassington explore the upper Wharfedale landscape of limestone pavements, riverside paths and open moorlan...
Airedale Walks in Skipton
Skipton walks near the Gateway to the Dales range from canal towpaths to castle trails and the open fells of Airedale. T...
Wensleydale Walks in Leyburn
Walks from Leyburn explore the edge of Wensleydale, including the clifftop views at Leyburn Shawl and riverside trails a...
Dentdale Walks in Dentdale
Walks in Dentdale follow the River Dee through the quietest of the Yorkshire Dales, with riverside paths, daffodil meado...
Yorkshire Wolds Walks in Yorkshire Wolds
Walking in the Yorkshire Wolds explores gentle chalk hills, hidden dry valleys and rolling arable countryside made famou...
North Yorkshire Walks in North Yorkshire
The best walks in North Yorkshire span the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, the Wolds and the Heritage Coast. This...
South Yorkshire Walks in South Yorkshire
Walking in South Yorkshire ranges from country parks and canal paths to the eastern edges of the Peak District near Shef...
West Yorkshire Walks in West Yorkshire
Nice walks in West Yorkshire range from canal towpaths and woodland trails to the moorland edges of the Pennines near Ha...
Vale of York Walks in York
The best walks near York follow the Rivers Ouse and Foss, with riverside paths, historic city walks and countryside trai...
Yorkshire Walks in General Yorkshire
The best walks in Yorkshire span three national parks — the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the Peak District ...
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- This guide covers 16 Yorkshire Dales walks across 12 sub-regions, from Swaledale in the north to the Yorkshire Wolds in the east.
- Walks range from easy riverside strolls to hard fell walks — use the filters above to find walks by sub-region and difficulty.
- The Yorkshire Dales National Park was designated in 1954 and covers over 1,770 sq km of limestone country.
- The Yorkshire Three Peaks — Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent — form a famous 24-mile challenge walk.
What are the best walks in the Yorkshire Dales?
Popular walks include the Malham Cove circular, the Ingleborough ascent, riverside paths in Wharfedale and Wensleydale, and the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. Our guide covers 12 sub-regions from Swaledale to the Yorkshire Wolds, with walks for every ability.
How difficult are walks in the Yorkshire Dales?
The Dales offer walks for all abilities, from easy riverside strolls to hard fell walks. Most sub-regions feature a mix of easy to moderate routes, while the Three Peaks and higher fells are rated hard. Use the difficulty filter above to find walks matched to your level.
When is the best time to walk in the Yorkshire Dales?
Spring to autumn offers the best conditions, with longer daylight hours and drier paths. Winter walks can be rewarding but require full winter gear and navigation skills, as weather on the fells can change rapidly.
What should I bring for a Yorkshire Dales walk?
Essentials include sturdy hiking boots, waterproofs, an OS Explorer map and compass, walking poles for steep descents, and plenty of water and snacks. For the Three Peaks, add a headtorch and extra warm layers.
Are dogs allowed on Yorkshire Dales walks?
Dog policies vary by route and landowner. Most public footpaths welcome dogs on leads, especially during ground-nesting bird season (March–August). Some National Park areas have restrictions — always check before you go. [VERIFY: confirm dog policies per route]
What is the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge?
The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a 24-mile (39 km) challenge walk taking in Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, usually completed in under 12 hours. It is one of the most popular long-distance walks in the Dales. See our guides to Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-ghent.
Do I need a map for walking in the Yorkshire Dales?
Yes. An OS Explorer map (OL2 for the Yorkshire Dales southern area, OL30 for the northern area) is essential for all but the most waymarked routes. Even on popular paths, weather can reduce visibility quickly, so always carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
Where can I park for Yorkshire Dales walks?
Most popular trailheads have car parks or roadside parking, though some are small and fill up quickly on weekends. National Park car parks may charge a fee. Check our individual walk guides for parking details. [VERIFY: confirm parking details per route]