Long-distance walk · England
Dales Way
Riverside walking from Ilkley through the Yorkshire Dales to Windermere.
- Distance
- 125 km
- 77 miles
- Stages
- 6
- 6–7 days for most people
- Total ascent
- 1,623 m
- over the whole trail
- Highest point
- 521 m
About the Dales Way
The Dales Way is one of the gentlest long-distance walks in the north: it follows the River Wharfe up Wharfedale, crosses the watershed at Cam Fell, and comes down Dentdale and the Lune valley to finish above Windermere.
Much of it is by rivers and through villages, which makes it a good first long-distance walk.
Stages
The usual stages, ending where there's somewhere to stay. Times are by Naismith's rule, without stops.
| Stage | Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilkley to Burnsall | 20.8 km | 177 m | 4½ h | GPX for stage 1 |
| 2 | Burnsall to Buckden | 21.9 km | 251 m | 5 h | GPX for stage 2 |
| 3 | Buckden to Dent | 30.5 km | 466 m | 7 h | GPX for stage 3 |
| 4 | Dent to Sedbergh | 11.6 km | 127 m | 2½ h | GPX for stage 4 |
| 5 | Sedbergh to Burneside | 25.6 km | 329 m | 5½ h | GPX for stage 5 |
| 6 | Burneside to Bowness-on-Windermere | 14.3 km | 273 m | 3½ h | GPX for stage 6 |
Walks along the way
Day walks that start near the trail, for a rest day or a detour.
