The 12 best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Veröffentlicht: 13. Juli 2022, 16:15 Uhr

Aktualisiert: 09. Juni 2025, 22:41 Uhr

Von: wom87

The best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park lead crissurely through one of the most beautiful spots in England

In the 18 months since we moved to the market town of Richmond in North Yorkshire, we have spent a large part of our free time exploring the national park on our doorstep. Whether we discover the best prospects or climb the highest mountains, we fell in love with the landscape of the Dales.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park extends over 2,179 km2 landscape and is home to one of the most important outdoor landscapes in England. The park's glacier valleys are defined by a unique terrain from Hochheidemoorland, gentle hills and dramatic waterfalls that are crossed by kilometers -long dry stone walls and delightful villages.

With kilometers of well -developed hiking trails, the Dales can best be explored on foot. Here we present the best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park - 12 outstanding reasons to visit the heart of England.

Best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

We selected the best hikes in the Yorkhire Dales National Park, which include everything, from gentle walks on the water and calm meadow walks to more demanding climbing tours in the highlands and multi -day hikes.

Further information on activities and accommodation in the Dales can be found on the website of the National Park.

1. Burnsall-Grassington

distance: 13km (8mi) Duration: 3 hourly difficulty: light

alt = “Grassington is one of the best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park”> Dream time Burnsall lies on the River Wharfe, which is surrounded by fjälls

This gentle river loop leads through the idyllic landscape around the villages of Grassington and Burnsall. The River Wharfe is lined with dramatic fjälls, but it is the quiet pools, waterfalls and streams of the waterway that lead to one of the quietest hikes in the Dales.

along the way are some of the best wildthack spaces in the park, of which the best above the second weir is located near Linton Falls.

2. Malham Bay and Tarn

distance: 13km (8mi) Duration: 3-4 hourly difficulty: light medium

alt = “Malham Cove is one of the best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park”> Atlas & Boots The view from the tip of the Malham Cove

This was the first hike that I did in the Yorkshire Dales, and it remains one of the most impressive. The route is a fantastic introduction to Dales topography with limestone scars, steep cliffs, gentle green hills with dry stone walls and a glittering lake (lake) that have everything to offer.

The path follows Malham Beck to below the 70 m (230 feet) high limestone cliff from Malham Cove, one of the most dramatic scenes in the Dales. After a steep climb to the top of the bay, take a break to enjoy the view before driving on the Pennine Way to Malham Tarn.

With a practical parking lot nearby, the camouflage is suitable for a beautiful circular hiking trail (5.6 km/3.6 miles). On a windless day, the view over the water is impressively calm.

3. Howgill Fells

distance: 16km (10mi) Duration: 5-6 hourly difficulty: Medium -uded

alt = “The Howgills”> Bernd Brüggemann/Shutterstock The Howgills Hourst Steep Gorge and Width High Grate

The Howgills, an approximately 16 km long and 8 km wide highland plateau, form a natural border area between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. They are characterized by steep gorges and wide high ridges and also offer some of the most dramatic views in the Dales.

The access city of Sedbergh is located near the M6 motorway, but the Howgills are largely separated. I spent two days on the peaks and rarely met other hikers on the way.

The gradients can be hard in places, but the hard work only makes the view more rewarding. Keep an eye out for a handful of wild fur ponies that roam through the Howgills.

4. Crackpot-Halle

distance: 10km (6mi) Duration: 2-3 hourly difficulty: Moderate

Alt = “Best prospects in the Yorkshire Dales Crackpot Hall”> Dream time Crackpot Hall and the view of Swaledale

The Greens and pleasant moor landscapes of Swaledale are probably the landscape that they imagine when they think of the Yorkshire Dales. The trails around Muker, Keld and Gunnerside are almost idyllic.

This route in Upper Swaledale leads to the pretty waterfalls of Kisdon Force and the famous ruins of Crackpot Hall. There is also a wonderful view over the winding road of the Pass butter tub, which was once described by Jeremy Clarkson as "England's only really spectacular street".

Several of the more well-known long-distance hiking trails run through the slopes of Swaledale and Wensleydale, including the Pennine Way and Coast-to-Coast.

5. Muker-Gunnerside

distance: 11km (7MI) Duration: 2-3 hourly difficulty: Moderate

alt = “Gunnerside is one of the best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park”> Atlas & Boots Swaledale and Wensleydale offer some of the best hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

When Kia and I visited the Yorkshire Dales for the first time, it was the village of Gunnerside that conquered our hearts. We stopped on the roadside to admire the impressive view. Five minutes we stopped again and drank our first cup of Yorkshire tea and a piece of cake. It was the first of many and we were convinced!

In late spring, the famous mowing meadows of Muker shine in color and add another picturesque layer to this wonderful cross-section of the Dales spectrum. Since Cream Teas are never far away, this route can be easily combined with a part or the entire path mentioned above to Crackpot Hall.

6. Keld-Tan-Hügel-Gasthaus

distance: 17km (11mi) Duration: 5-6 hourly difficulty: Moderate

alt = "The Smardale Gill-Viaduct"> Kevin Eaves/Shutterstock The Smardale Gill-Viaduct

A walk that leads past famous Roman stone piles, rugged gates and Great Britain's highest pub will never disappoint. This breathtaking hike on the edge of Swaledale is one of the most popular in the Dales.

Apart from the pub and the relentlessly impressive views, the highlight of this hike is the Nine Standards Rigg. The row of stones is on the edge of the Hartley Fell. Nobody knows their purpose, but a theory says that the stone piles were built by the Roman army to resemble troops from a distance.

The inviting Tan Hill Inn is located with 528 m (1,732 ft) Great Britain's highest inn and in the middle, it is definitely worth a break for a slight refreshment.

7. Smardale Gill

distance: 12km (7.5MI) Duration: 3-4 hourly difficulty: moderate

alt = "The Smardale Gill-Viaduct"> Kevin Eaves/Shutterstock The Smardale Gill-Viaduct

This is an excellent hike through the remote, small, steep -walled gorge of Smardale Gill. This northwestern area of the Yorkshire Dales was only included in the national park with the 2016 border enlargement. The region has proven to be charming, albeit somewhat underestimated, supplemented the park.

This route is an excellent way to get to know the latest Dales region. The airy aft path leads past a striking Victorian viaduct, remote villages and hamlets, an ancient deciduous forest and a high-lying Moorland-Reitweg, which offers an excellent view over the gorge and the Scandal Beck river.

8. Oberes Wharfedale

distance: 13km (8mi) Duration: 3-4 hourly difficulty: light medium

Alt = “The village of Buckden in Upper Wharmdale”> Kevin Eaves/Shutterstock The village of Buckden in Upper Wharfedale

I took several hikes from Upper Wharfedale from the village of Buckden, and for good reason: the valley shows some of the most beautiful features of the park. Quiet waterfalls, picturesque stone bridges, picturesque valleys and panoramic views on the highlands can be found in this quiet part of the park.

This route leads over a very comfortable path, but offers some extraordinary views of the surrounding valleys and the higher limestone terraces in the area. The route could also be adjusted to include a trip to the nearby summit of the Buckden Pike to get some real panoramic views on the neighboring Fjells.

9. Ingleborough

Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles) Duration: 2-3 hourly difficulty: Medium

alt = "Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park"> Peter Stuart/Shutterstock Ingleborough looks good from every point of view

Now we're talking. This may be one of the most leaked paths in the park, but there is a good reason. With 723 m (2,372 ft), Ingleborough is the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales and the surrounding landscape is covered with terraced fields, stone walls, cave -like potholes and labyrinthic limestone paves.

The attractive mountain with its striking silhouette looks good from each of his approach and is blessed with an all -round pleasant summit plateau. The only disadvantage is that Ingleborough is one of the most popular hikes in the Dales.

10. Three summit challenge

distance: 39.2 km (24.5 miles) duration: 8-12 hourly difficulty: difficult

Alt = "Approach to Pen-Y-Gent"> Peter Stuart/Shutterstock Approaching Pen-Y-Gent

I have to admit that I have not yet officially completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, but I have ticked off all mountains individually. The three mountains-Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-Y-Ghent-form the highest, second highest and ninth highest peaks in the Dales.

Whernside, 736 m (2,415 feet)
Ingleborough, 724 m (2,375 feet)
Pen-Y-Gent, 694 m (2,277 feet)

whether you master the challenge in a single hike or distribute on day trips does not matter; The landscape is beguiling either way. The route offers spectacular views of all three mountains, the ubiquitous Ribblehead Viaduct and further the Howgills, the Lake District and-on clear days-even the Morecambe Bay on the distant horizon.

11. From coast to coast

distance: 58km (36mi) Duration: 3 Tage swimming: difficult

Alt = “Great Britain's best long-distance hiking trails from coast to coast”> Dream time The coast-to-coast crosses three English national parks

The Coast-to-Coast Walk designed by Alfred Wainwright and popularly made is neither a national path nor a unique footpath, but still one of the best long-distance hiking trails in Britain. The unofficial path begins in St. Bees on the west coast and crosses three large English national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

The section Yorkshire Dales runs from Kirkby Stephen to Richmond and includes many of the above-mentioned Swaledale trails as well as the excellent network of path between Reeth and Richmond. As soon as it leaves the park, the path leads through Richmond, practically past our front door, and on to the North York Moors and the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay.

12. Pennine-Weg

distance: 84km (52mi) Duration: 5 Tage swimming: difficult

Alt = “Great Britain's best long-distance hiking trails Pennine Way”> Dream time The Pennine Way crosses some of the most beautiful highland landscapes in England

Great Britain's oldest national hiking trail (opened in 1965) crosses some of the most beautiful highland landscapes in England. It is far the most famous and one of the most popular hiking trails in Great Britain. The Pennine Way begins in the Peak District and runs 431 km (268 miles) to the north to the Scottish Borders.

One of the most demanding parts is the Yorkhire Dales section. It is also one of the most beautiful and shows the best of the national park when it leads from the southern edge to the northern edge and includes many of the above hikes.

alt = “>