The Dales Way
HIGHLIGHTS
The Dales Way is one of Britain's best loved, most popular and most beautiful long distance walk. It links the Yorkshire Dales National Park with the Lake District National Park. It starts in Ilkley, a beautiful Victorian Spa town, nestled in my favourite dale (valley) Wharfedale and finishes in Bowness-on-Windermere, beside England's biggest lake.
Classic Yorkshire Dales Villages
The Hills of the Yorkshire Dales and their Limestone walls
Lake Windermere
The ruins of Bolton Abbey
PHOTOS
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Bed and Breakfast
Accommodation
Luggage Transfer (1 bag each)
Maps and guide notes
Detailed Itinerary
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KEY INFORMATION
Starting point: Ilkley
Finishing point: Bowness-on-Windermere
Avg. daily distance: 13 miles / 21 km
Total distance: 78 miles / 125 km
Terrain: Easy
Walking grade: Moderate
WHEN TO WALK

ROUTE MAP
A 78 mile 6 day walk. The walk is mostly gentle valley walking with just a day of hill walking.
The Dales Way is one of Britain’s best loved, most popular and most beautiful long distance walk. It links the Yorkshire Dales National Park with the Lake District National Park. It starts in Ilkley, a beautiful Victorian Spa town, nestled in my favourite dale (valley) Wharfedale and finishes in Bowness-on-Windermere, beside England’s biggest lake.
Day 1: Travel to Ilkley where your first night's accommodation has been booked
Day 2: Ilkley to Burnsall (12 miles / 19 km)
Day 3: Burnsall to Buckden (14 miles / 22 km)
Day 4: Buckden to Dent Head (17 miles / 27 km)
Day 5: Dent Head to Sedbergh (10 miles / 16 km)
Day 6: Sedbergh to Kendal (16 miles / 26 km)
Day 7: Kendal to Windermere (12 miles / 19 km)
Day 1: Travel to Ilkley where your first night's accommodation has been booked
Day 2: Ilkley to Burnsall (12 miles / 19 km)
Starting beside the Old Bridge over the River Wharfe in Ilkley the path follows the river through the old mill town of Addingham then to the ruins of Bolton Abbey, now a favourite picnic spot for locals on sunny weekends. Further upstream the Wharfe narrows in a place called the Strid before eventually the path leads down to the beautiful Dales village of Burnsall.
Day 3: Burnsall to Buckden (14 miles / 22 km)
The path leads on up the side of the River Wharfe further into the Yorkshire Dales to the town of Grassington, famed for its rugby club and its wonderful arts festival that takes place each June. The path then takes a wonderfully scenic route up out of Grassington and along the top before descending into Kettlewell and then following the river again to Buckden.
Day 4: Buckden to Dent Head (17 miles / 27 km)
A long day as the path initially carries on alongside the River Wharfe before leaving the river behind and climbing to Cam High Road (at 520m the highest point on the path).The path continues in the high fells before dropping down to a quiet lane for the last 3 miles into Dent Head.
Day 5: Dent Head to Sedbergh (10 miles / 16 km)
The path follows the River Dee through Dent and along to Sedbergh. Sedbergh is a lovely Dales town famous for its boarding school, which dominates the town.
Day 6: Sedbergh to Kendal (16 miles / 26 km)
The path winds across Lunesdale alongside the river, and then climbs out of Lune Gorge to Burnside and then on to Kendal.
Day 7: Kendal to Windermere (12 miles / 19 km)
The last day the path starts gently following the river Kent before entering the foothills of the Lake District. The path then winds down through parkland and scattered woods before the finish at the Dales Way seat above Bowness-on-Windermere.
WALKING DIFFICULTY: This is a moderately easy walk.
ACCOMMODATION: Our standard itinerary provides accommodation in either 3 or 4 star bed and breakfasts or small hotels or inns. When quoting for a holiday a draft itinerary is provided showing typical accommodation used on the route.
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS: Extra nights can be taken anywhere.
NAVIGATION: The path is quite well marked. A compass and map are essential over the some sections.
BAGGAGE TRANSFERS: All our prices include transfering one bag per person (max weight 20kg) between your overnight stops.
Travel information:
TRAVEL BY RAIL:
Arriving: London mainline trains go from Kings Cross to Leeds every hour (journey time 2 hour 30 mins), hourly trains run Leeds to Ilkley (journey time 30mins).
Returning: Regular trains from Windermere to London Euston station (journey time 4 hr)
TRAVEL BY CAR:
Long Term Parking is available in Ilkley
Return: It is possible to take train from Windermere to Ilkley (journey time 4 hr), the other alternative is a taxi.
TRAVEL BY AIR:
Manchester airport is 2 hrs by train from both Ilkley and Windermere. Leeds/Bradford airport is only a 30 min taxi ride from Ilkley but is a long way from Windermere!
AVAILABILITY:
This walk can be done April to October
PRICES:
6 Day Walking Itinerary (7 nights accommodation) from £755 per person, assumes 2 people walking together and sharing a room.
Single supplement (for person walking on their own) £80 per night
Extra nights from £60 per person