The Dales Way is an 84 mile trail from
Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness on Windermere in Cumbria by way
of Wharfedale, Dentdale and South Lakeland.
From beneath England's
most famous moor to its largest lake the trail passes
through the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, discovering
delightful villages such as Burnsall, Grassington, Kettlewell, Dent
and Sedbergh. Savour the majesty of Bolton Abbey and walk by the
engaging rivers of Wharfe, Dee, Rawthey, Lune, Sprint and Kent.
The route is less demanding than many long distance
footpaths. For the first few days the Dales Way follows a mainly
riverside trail through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, but it
takes its opportunities to gain height and variety along the valley
sides of both Wharfdale and Dentdale. After leaving the Dales the
trail passes to the north of Kendal and into the Lake District for
the final days walk.
Tour code: DW
Duration of tour: 8 days (7 nights)
Tour availability:
Also available on request throughout the year for private group
bookings. Please contact us for availability and a price.
Price: £515/person (Single rooms supplement
£75)
Prices include:
-
Selected accommodation including breakfast
-
Experienced Dales Way Guide
-
Luggage transfer between accommodation
-
Personal transfers
Grade of walk: This is a moderate route. The
terrain of the Dales Way makes for less demanding walking than many
long distance paths. Whilst it is a largely riverside route the way
still grasps some opportunities to gain height along the valley
sides of both Wharfedale and Dentdale, and as it crosses the moors
between the two valleys.
Start of route:
Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
End of route:
Bowness on
Windemere, Cumbria.
Accommodation:
For this tour we have selected accommodation at three locations. All rooms are en suite. The first three nights accommodation are at the Grassington House Hotel in Grassington, then we move onto the Bull Hotel in Sedbergh for two nights, the last two nights are at Elim House, Bowness-On-Windermere. Each morning you will be transported to the days starting point and then returned to your accoomodation in the afternoon.
Food: A full English breakfast is included.
Packed lunches can be purchased from your overnight accommodation or
from local convenience stores. Evening meals can
be purchased from a selection of village pubs and restaurants.
Luggage transfer: Luggage transfer between the three hotels is included. Personal transfer is also availble if required.
Transport to and from the route:
We do not provide this however there are
train stations in Ilkley and Windermere. Local taxis are also
available. A convenient International airport is
Leeds Braford.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 1 Grassington:
Arrive at
your accommodation in Grassington. Meet your guide and walking companions
at the evening welcome meeting.
Day 2: Ilkley to Burnsall. Distance 13 miles
From under the gaze of Ilkley Moor (the song says there will be consequences for "cooartin' Mary Jane
on Ilkla Moor baht 'at", or courting without a hat on), the trail leaves Ilkley and throughout the day follows the River Wharfe. The
highlight of the day is the ruin of Bolton Priory. The priory dates
from 1154 and was built by Augustinian canons.
Day 3: Burnsall to Starbotton. Distance 13 miles
The trail continues along the banks of the Wharfe to Grassington, from here the path heads for the limestone valley wall of Conistone Moor before descending back to the Wharfe at Kettlewell. Kettlewell was Knapely in the film The Calendar Girls.
Day 4: Starbotton to Ribblehead. Distance 14 miles
The route continues to follow the River Wharfe to its main tributaries at Oughtershaw. The path rises
to 520M and we cross the Pennine Way. We are now at the Pennine watershed, rain falling to the East follows rivers to the North Sea, rain falling to the West flows in rivers to the Irish Sea. From Ribblehead we can see the
impressive arches of the viaduct carrying the Settle to Carlisle
railway.
Day 5: Ribblehead to Lenacre. Distance 14 miles
We cross the moor, to our left is Whernside one of the mountains in the
Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Challenge. We descend into Dentdale and
the banks of the River Dee.
Day 6: Lenacre to Patton Bridge. Distance 14 miles
The trail skips from river to river as it
follows the undulating countryside between the Yorkshire Dales and
Lake District National Parks. To our south lies the town of
Kendal.
Day 7: Patton Bridge to Bowness. Distance 14 miles
The Lake District Mountains dominate the skyline to the north. From Burneside the route undulates as we cross
the lower fells of the Lake
District National Park to Bowness on Windermere, the largest lake in
England and the end of the Dales Way.
Day 8:
Depart from your accommodation and
head for Home
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