Dales Way

The Dales Way is a hiking trail running from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere through river valleys and open moorland. The route winds through the Yorkshire Dales, moving across farmland and woodland before reaching the shore of Lake Windermere.

The trail follows sections of old trading routes where merchants once moved goods across the hills. During the 1800s, large stone railway viaducts were built across the valleys, and these structures still stand along the way today.

Along the trail, you see how farming families have shaped the landscape with stone walls and sheep herds that remain central to daily life here. This traditional way of working the land defines what the region looks and feels like today.

The trail is best walked in stages, with lodging available in villages and towns along the way. Rail stations near major sections allow flexible travel and rest days during your walk.

The path follows the River Wharfe from its middle stretch all the way to its source in the hills. Along the way, you can see rock formations and waterfalls that reveal the geology of the region.