Travel on the Dales Way in 8 days
Personalized quotation
Luggage transfer
24h telephone assistance
Hotel accommodations
The Dales Way includes some of Britain's best long-distance trails.
You'll cross the Yorkshire Dales from east to west, bordering the Wharfe and Dee rivers, starting at Ilkley, a market town at the eastern end of the valleys, passing through Wharfedale and Dentdale, to the Lake District, home to Windermere, England's largest lake.
This route can be summed up in riverside walks, amid charming, ancient limestone villages, with some short stretches of moorland and beautiful meadows.
- Explore the beautiful landscapes from the Yorkshire Dales to the Lake District.
- Visit Bolton Abbey.
- One of the walking sections will allow you to observe the Whernside, Yorkshire's highest peak.
- Visit ancient villages with their buildings constructed in
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in IIkley
If you start your trip outside the UK, we recommend travelling to Gatwick, Stansted and London Heathrow airports. From any of these, you can take a train to Ilkley. Other options will be Leeds-Bradford and Manchester airports.
Ilkley is located in the south of the Yorkshire Dales, within the Wharfe Valley. Enjoy exquisite restaurants in this town, and visit its antique shops.
Ilkley is located in the south of the Yorkshire Dales, within the Wharfe Valley. Enjoy exquisite restaurants in this town, and visit its antique shops.
Overnight in IIkley
The Crescent Inn
This property is just 300 metres from Ilkley train station. It has a French bistro and a pub where you can enjoy a delicious dinner before lounging in your room.
It offers rooms with Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
It offers rooms with Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
Day 2 - Ilkley to Burnsall 13 miles I 21 km
Start your walk through beautiful meadows, passing Bolton Abbey, built as the Augustines' priory.
Burnsall Bridge, over the River Wharfe, will tell you that you have reached our destination on this first day.
Burnsall is a charming village surrounded by hills where small houses and livestock farms are located.
Burnsall Bridge, over the River Wharfe, will tell you that you have reached our destination on this first day.
Burnsall is a charming village surrounded by hills where small houses and livestock farms are located.
Overnight in Burnsall
Red Lion Hotel
Stay in a charming 16th-century house and enjoy the award-winning restaurant there.
Its rooms offer a cosy atmosphere with wooden ceilings, traditional decor and a private bathroom.
Its rooms offer a cosy atmosphere with wooden ceilings, traditional decor and a private bathroom.
Day 3 - Burnsall to Hubberholme 15,4 miles I 24,8 km
Start your way over steep rocks and an ascent that will allow you to have beautiful views of the Wharfedale Valley, located at the top of the River Wharfe. You'll pass Grassington, a small market town with cobblestoned streets and a colourful central square. Further on, you will come across the village of Kettlewell.
The final stretch of this day's walk will be through the forest and bordering the river to the village of Hubberholme, where you can visit St. Michael's and All Angels Church.
The final stretch of this day's walk will be through the forest and bordering the river to the village of Hubberholme, where you can visit St. Michael's and All Angels Church.
Overnight in Hubberholme
The George Inn
The service in this accommodation will make your stay comfortable and its location will allow you to walk a few minutes to get to know the main attractions in Hubberholme.
It offers restaurant service and rooms with a flat-screen TV and Wi-Fi.
It offers restaurant service and rooms with a flat-screen TV and Wi-Fi.
Day 4 - Hubberholme to Dent 17 miles I 27,4 km
This day of walking will be in the far northwest of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, between the rugged Pennines and Howgill Fells.
You'll pass through the village of Deepdale and then come to the impressive Dent Head Viaduct, built between 1869 and 1875 by engineer John Sydney. It is part of the Settle-Carlisle Railway and is considered one of the most remarkable viaducts on the entire line.
You can enjoy beautiful views of the imposing Lake District National Park, a World Heritage Site.
At the end of the day, you will have an inclusive transfer from Cowgill to Dent, where you will spend the night.
You'll pass through the village of Deepdale and then come to the impressive Dent Head Viaduct, built between 1869 and 1875 by engineer John Sydney. It is part of the Settle-Carlisle Railway and is considered one of the most remarkable viaducts on the entire line.
You can enjoy beautiful views of the imposing Lake District National Park, a World Heritage Site.
At the end of the day, you will have an inclusive transfer from Cowgill to Dent, where you will spend the night.
Overnight in Dent
The Sportsman's Inn
Stay in the middle of nature's calm, in a cosy house with more than 200 years of history.
The property has central heating and from its rooms you will have beautiful views of the River Dee.
The property has central heating and from its rooms you will have beautiful views of the River Dee.
Day 5 - Dent to Sedbergh 6,2 miles I 10 km
Start your day with a meadow landscape and beautiful forests, overlooking Whernside, Yorkshire's highest peak.
It borders the River Dent until it reaches the Lake District, a natural treasure where, according to UNESCO, "the joint action of nature and humans has resulted in a harmonious landscape, in which the mountains are reflected in the lakes".
It borders the River Dent until it reaches the Lake District, a natural treasure where, according to UNESCO, "the joint action of nature and humans has resulted in a harmonious landscape, in which the mountains are reflected in the lakes".
Overnight in Sedbergh
Daleslea B&B
In this Victorian-style accommodation you can relax in comfortable rooms with a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi and a private bathroom.
You can also enjoy a delicious breakfast in the morning, with different menu options.
You can also enjoy a delicious breakfast in the morning, with different menu options.
Day 6 - Sedbergh to Kendal 17,4 miles I 28,1 km
For every nature lover, surely this will be an unforgettable walk, crossing forests of lindens and redwoods, and passing through small villages with stone houses surrounded by green meadows.
During your walk, you'll see the Lowgill Viaduct, a remarkable piece of engineering, which forms part of the Settle-Carlisle main line. Later, you'll walk along Black Moss and cross the Mint and Kent rivers, before entering the ancient town of Kendal.
During your walk, you'll see the Lowgill Viaduct, a remarkable piece of engineering, which forms part of the Settle-Carlisle main line. Later, you'll walk along Black Moss and cross the Mint and Kent rivers, before entering the ancient town of Kendal.
Overnight in Kendal
Bridge House
This Georgian-style house offers accommodation in rooms with a private bathroom, TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
Day 7 - Kendal to Bowness-on-Windermere 11 miles I 19 km
You will start the day by leaving Kendal. The walk will take you along the banks of the River Kent, past the rural area of Cowen Head, and continue along rocky paths to Bowness-on-Windermere, located on the eastern edge of Lake Windermere.
Bowness-on-Windermere is a town that has developed around the Queen and Royal Squares. You can walk up to the Orrest Head lookout point to enjoy the fabulous views of the hills and Langdale Pike.
Bowness-on-Windermere is a town that has developed around the Queen and Royal Squares. You can walk up to the Orrest Head lookout point to enjoy the fabulous views of the hills and Langdale Pike.
Overnight in Bowness-on-Windermere
Westmorland Inn
Located amid the villages of Windermere and Bowness-On -Windermere, this hotel is a great location for visiting Lake District attractions.
Some rooms offer views of the mountains, moors and Windermere itself. It also offers bar service with an excellent beer and gin menu.
Some rooms offer views of the mountains, moors and Windermere itself. It also offers bar service with an excellent beer and gin menu.
Day 8 - Bowness-On-Windermere
Windermere train station offers routes to Manchester, London, Glasgow and Newcastle.
End of our services.
End of our services.
Itinerary map
Services
Included
- Accommodation in en suite rooms in charming hotels
- Daily Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Information dossier with maps and routes
- 24-hour telephone support
- Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
- Taxes
Extras
- Travel insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Additional nights
Accomodation
General information
The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.
Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.
The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.
We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.
Room types
It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Travel & transfers
If you are travelling from outside the UK, we recommend travelling to Gatwick, Stansted and London Heathrow airports, from where you can take the train to Ilkley.
Other options will be Leeds-Bradford and Manchester airports.
If you want to start this route by train, you can do so from Ilkley station.
At the end of your Bowness-On-Windermere journey, you can head to Windermere train station, where you'll find routes to Manchester, London, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Other options will be Leeds-Bradford and Manchester airports.
If you want to start this route by train, you can do so from Ilkley station.
At the end of your Bowness-On-Windermere journey, you can head to Windermere train station, where you'll find routes to Manchester, London, Glasgow and Newcastle.
FAQs
Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations. It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:
- Maximum weight of 40 lbs (18 kg).
- Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
- Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
- Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).
How far in advance should I book my trip?
We recommend that you book as soon as you are sure about your dates, as accommodation can fill up very quickly in this area.
What should my physical preparation be?
This route has a low-average difficulty, taking you on mostly calm walks, in easier areas, so if you already have an active life that includes physical activity and frequent cardiovascular exercise, you'll be prepared for it.
If, on the other hand, you do not do physical activity frequently, we recommend starting walks and cardiovascular exercise 2 months before the trip.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Once you make your reservation we will send you all the detailed information about the specific equipment you need for this route, considering recommendations for shoes, boots, clothes and a day-to day backpack.
What if I'm not able to finish one of the stages?
You can call us to arrange a private transfer for you.
If you prefer, you can also use public transport or local taxis to get to your next accommodation.
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