Welcome to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, the purest form of English highland landscape, with traditions and views, which have remained virtually untouched for centuries. Soft rolling hills, limestone edges, green valleys, waterfalls and an abbey all feature here as well as the villages proud of their heritage. This tour includes the whole length of this much loved long distance path, which runs right across the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Gradients and terrain are easy, but the going may be muddy underfoot in wet weather. There are also a large number of "stiles" and "kissing gates" to negotiate. The itinerary follows Wharfedale (where there is time to admire the ruins of Bolton Abbey) and then Hubberholme, gradually gaining height upstream to reach the Pennine watershed at Cam Fell (1700 feet). The way then runs down Dentdale to the market town of Sedbergh and across sheep pastures to Bowness on Windermere.
General Information
Duration of tour 8 days (7 nights).
Season 8 April to mid October.
Starting point Ilkley, Yorkshire.
End of tour Windermere, Cumbria.
Accommodation
Night 1 We stay overnight at a Victorian riverside hotel.All facilities are en suite, and rooms come equipped with satellite TV.The picturesque setting, with river views and rowing in the summer months, make this an ideal place to start our tour.
Night 2 A small family run guesthouse, which has been converted from the village smith's workshop.Extremely comfortable accommodation is provided, with ensuite facilities, television and tea & coffee making facilities available in all rooms.
Night 3 Formerly a Drovers Hostelry and dating back to the early 17th Century, our Inn at Cray near to Hubberholme is a traditional Yorkshire pub, open all year round to provide warm inviting and friendly accommodation throughout the ever-changing seasons. In fine, warm weather, food & drink can be enjoyed in the beer garden or beside the cascading Cray Gill, which fronts the Inn.This place has been likened by Wainwright as a “tiny oasis”. Enjoy fine home cooked food, traditional hand pulled real ales and a variety of wines surrounded by original oak beams, a cosy log fire and stone flagged floors. Stunningsurroundings combine to create atrue gem, in the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Night 4 A 17th Century listed building, offering authentic rustic charm, is our accommodation for the night.All front rooms have river views, and the building has retained much of its original charm, with open fires, oak beams, and a friendly welcome.There is a washbasin, tea/coffee making facilities in all rooms.
Night 5 Overnight accommodation is provided at a very comfortable Inn.The Inn has a traditional English country feel to it, offering local beers, and home cooked meals in the attractively decorated bar and dining area.All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, a TV and some are ensuite.
Night 6 A fine old tavern from the 1650s with oak beamed, refurbished rooms and an old World atmosphere. There is a main bar and restaurant with open fires. This is attached to a quiet guesthouse which is part of the pub.
Night 7 Our final accommodation is of a 3 crown standard, at a 18th Century country house hotel.All facilities are en suite, and rooms are very comfortable with a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.The picturesque village of Bowness is only 200 yards away, the lake (Windermere) only 400 yards.It’s a perfect place to relax, having completed the tour of the Dales Way.
PLEASE NOTE: It is generally normal practice when staying in hotels that you check-in on or after 2pm and checkout by 11am the following morning. Guesthouses/bed & breakfast establishments are normally check-in on or after 4pm and checkout by 11am.
Itinerary
Day 1 Ilkley Travel to starting point.Optional walk to Cow and Calf rocks and Ilkley Moor.
Day 2 Burnsall Lower Wharfedale and Bolton Abbey (13 miles, 6 hours).
Day 3 Hubberholme Past Kilnsey Crag (famous overhanging rock) and pretty villages of Grassington, Kettlewell, and Buckden. (15 Miles 7 hours).
Day 4 Dentdale Over Cam Fell, across the Pennine Way Footpath and down into Dentdale. (13 miles 6 hrs).
Day 5 Sedbergh Through Dentdale to Sedbergh. At the foot of the steep Howgill Fells. (11 miles 5 hours).
Day 6 Burneside Across an undulating landscape of sheep pastureland. Into the Lake District National Park (16 miles 7 hours).
Day 7 Bowness A morning's walk to Bownesson Lake Windermere, England's largest natural lake.
Day 8 End of Tour.
Included Bed and breakfast with ensuite facilities where available. Luggage transfers from Inn to Inn. Full route notes and map package.
Extend your stay
Extra nights: Ilkley from £30 per person per night Windermere from £40 per person per night
