Dales Way
The Dales Way is a 78 mile walk between Ilkley in Yorkshire and Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria. In addition, there is a 20 mile Leeds to Ilkley link.
The Dales Way is a relatively easy walk, for the most part following rivers, and there is plenty of accommodation, pubs and other services at frequent intervals. For those thinking about doing their first long distance walk but are worried about the ongoing effect of day-on-day walking, this is the perfect path.
Dales Way Accommodation
We have split Dales Way accommodation into Hotels & Inns and Bed & Breakfast. Guest House accommodation is included with Bed & Breakfast. While we realise many guest houses are better than some hotels, in order to avoid confusion we have opted for the simpler option.
We are always looking to improve our information, and always welcome updates and additions to our Dales Way accommodation listing.
Restaurants and Pubs
We have attempted to give as much information as possible, but restaurants and pubs are notoriously changeable. Wherever known, we have included information on pubs serving real ale and/or food. Please let us know if our information is out of date.
Dales Way Guidebooks & Maps
Guidebooks
We recommend buying two different Dales Way guidebooks. One will supplement the other in terms of clarity, additional information, etc. The cost of the additional guidebook is very little compared to the cost of the walk.
The Dales Way: Complete Guide to the Trail
By Terry Marsh.
Includes portions of OS 1:25,000 scale maps
A Dales High Way Companion
By Tony Grogan and Chris Grogan
Dales Way by Paul Hannon
Maps for the Dales Way
Do not feel tempted to save money buying the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps; they do not have anywhere near the same detail as the 1:25,000 scale maps, and do not show field boundaries. Five Ordnance Survey `Explorer' or Outdoor Leisure (OL) maps at 1:25,000 scale are required:
| 279 | Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley |
| OL2 | Yorkshire Dales: Southern and Western Areas |
| OL30 | Yorkshire Dales: Northern and Central Areas |
| OL19 | Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley |
| OL7 | The English Lakes: South Eastern Area |
Alternatively, there is the Dales Way map from Harvey’s (listed in our Amazon page), although it is at a scale of 1:40,000
Buying the Dales Way Guidebooks and Maps
Click on the Guidebook or Map images to view them and order them through us online.
Dales Way Website Links
`Dales Way Association was established in 1991 by a small group of individuals reflecting user group and tourism interests along the Dales Way.” For much invaluable information and up to date footpath news, visit www.dalesway.org.uk
The Walking Englishman has an excellent site giving much information on the Dales Way:
www.walkingenglishman.com/dalesway1.htm
A Personal account of the Dales Way 1
www.calwalkers.com/DalesWay/DWMain.html
A Personal account of the Dales Way 2
http://people.virginia.edu/~hnw/DW/DalesWay.html
A Personal account of the Dales Way 3
www.britishwalks.org/walks/Named/DalesWay.php
Dales Way Public Transport
We show details of train services at Ilkley, Burneside, Dent, Ribblehead, Staveley, and Windermere. Ilkley, especially, has bus services connecting to several other villages and towns along the Dales Way. Please refer to individual locations along the Dales Way for more information.
The following is an excellent link to many public transport services:
www.dalesbus.org
Dales Way Mileage and Services Table
Please click on a location to open the page displaying accommodation, Camping, Pubs and Restaurant information for that location.
NOTE: Figures after the `+' sign indicates miles off route. Legend is at the bottom of the page.
LEEDS - ILKLEY LINK
| LOCATION | CUMULATIVE MILES |
FACILITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | - | All (ecluding CS) |
| Bramhope | 9½ | H(R),PH |
| Otley | 12½ + 1 | H,B&B,R,PH,CS,Bus |
| Menston | 14 | B&B,R,PH,Rail,Bus |
| Burley Woodhead | 16 | PH |
| Ilkley | 20 | All |
MAIN PATH
| LOCATION | CUMULATIVE |
FACILITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Ilkley | - | All |
| Addingham | 2¼ | H,B&B,PH,R,TC |
| Bolton Abbey | 6 | H,R,TC,Rail (Steam) |
| Howgill Lodge | 9¾ + ½ | B&B,C |
| Appletreewick | 11 | H,B&B,C,PH |
| Burnsall | 12½ | H,B&B,PH,R |
| Grassington | 15½ | H,B&B,PH,CS |
| Kettlewell | 21¾ | H,B&B,PH,R |
| Starbotton | 24 + ½ | PH |
| Buckden | 26 + ½ | H,B&B,PH,R |
| Hubberholme | 27¼ | H,B&B |
| Yockenthwaite | 29 | B&B |
| Oughtershaw | 32½ | B&B |
| Cam Houses | 35 | B&B |
| Ribblehead | 38 + 1¼ | H,Rail |
| Cowgill | 42¾ | H,Rail |
| Dent | 47½ | H,B&B,C,CS |
| Rash | 50½ + ½ | B&B |
| Sedbergh | 52 + ¾ | H,B&B,PH,R,CS |
| Howgill | 57 | B&B |
| Lambrigg | 61 | B&B |
| Patton Bridge | 63½ | B&B |
| Burneside | 66¾ + ½ | PH,Rail |
| Bowston | 67¾ + 1 | B&B |
| Staveley | 70 | H,B&B,PH,CS,Rail |
| Bowness | 77¼ | ALL (Rail 1 mile) |
Legend
| B&B | Bed & Breakfast Accommodation |
| CS | Camping Shop |
| C | Camping |
| H | Hotel or Inn Accommodation |
| PH | Pub or Bar |
| R | Restaurant, Bar Meal or Tea Shop |
| YHA | Youth Hostel |
Contact us
If you want to email us with comments or amendments, wish to add to our free listing, or wish to upgrade to Superior Listing, please right-click and copy the link below and paste into your email facility: