Best Walks in the Yorkshire Dales in 2026

If exploring the countryside by foot is up there with your favourite pastimes, you don’t want to miss out on the timeless natural and ancient delights spanning England’s Yorkshire Dales National Park. The contrast of verdant valleys lined with stone walls steeped in history and limestone karsts grabbing attention in the southern Dales makes for top-notch walking adventures. Meanwhile, conquering one of the Three Peaks—Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside—is likely on most avid walker’s adventure list of to-dos when they visit here. The ultimate goal would be to complete all Three Peaks in one go. Unfortunately, this challenging walk usually takes around 12 hours to do! That being said, walking in Yorkshire Dales National Park is a possibility for all ages and abilities—all you need to do is choose which walk suits your style, your mood, and let the outstanding scenery work its charm as you explore. If you would prefer a planned itinerary, the self-guided Coast to Coast walking tour follows Wainwright’s 190-mile route across the Yorkshire Dales between the Lake District and the North York Moors.

What’s New in Yorkshire Dales walks in 2026

The Yorkshire Dales covers 841 square kilometres of upland England, with the Yorkshire Three Peaks at its heart: Whernside (the highest), Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent. The classic Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge links all three in a single day, usually taking around 12 hours of fast walking, and is one of Britain’s best-known long walks. The Coast to Coast Walk, devised by Alfred Wainwright, crosses the park from west to east as it traces 190 miles from St Bees in the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Yorkshire coast. The Ribblehead Viaduct in the south-west is one of the park’s most photographed structures and is accessible directly from Ribblehead railway station, making the western Dales unusually easy to reach without a car. The main walking season runs from April to October; weather on the higher peaks changes quickly, and visibility on the moors can drop fast in mist, so check the forecast and carry a map and compass even in summer.

The Greatest Walks in Yorkshire Dales National Park

Yorkshire Dales National Park is the ultimate walking paradise! You’ll find a range of walks: family-friendly, pushchair and wheelchair-friendly, challenging, relaxed, incredibly scenic (hello: karsts, postcard-perfect villages, rolling countryside), and the list goes on. Take a look at some of the greatest walks in Yorkshire Dales National Park and start compiling your list of must-do adventures:

1. Aysgarth Woods Circular Walk - It won’t take much to convince friends and family to join you on the Aysgarth Woods Circular Walk, where an explosion of surprises awaits! The path winds to cascading waterfalls, secluded woodlands and takes you along River Ure. And the cherry on top is the Bolton Castle, a marvel steeped in history.
2. Buckden Pike and Lead Mine Walk - Get ready for a challenge as you ascend the highest peak in the Dales! Expect your lungs to undergo little reprieve as you’ll spend most of this walk travelling uphill. But walks that get your heart usually going always end with stunning views, and this walk is a rewarding one.
3. Whernside Circular Walk - Get up close with one of the Yorkshire Peaks on the Whernside Circular Walk. Immerse in countryside scenery and take on Whernside, the first of the Yorkshire Peaks. Enjoy a myriad of cascading waterfalls as you make your way around this 12.9 km loop. Prepare for unpredictable weather at the top!
4. Malham Tarn Walk - Discover some of the Yorkshire Dales best features on the moderately challenging 12.2 km Malham Tarn Walk! Walk by a montage of incredible views, including coves, ravines, and waterfalls as you take on heart-pumping undulations. One of the main highlights is Gordale Scar, a stunning ravine!
5. Malham Circular Walk - Explore magical scenery on the 10.6 km Malham Circular Walk, where you can immerse in the melting glaciers and myriad of waterfalls brimming with lime and dropping onto the rocks below, resulting in the creation of brown tufa! Plus, the wildflowers sprinkling the path in the warmer months add a layer of beauty to this walk.
6. Pen-y-Ghent Circular Walk - The Pen-y-Ghent Circular Walk doesn’t only introduce you to one of the Yorkshire Dales Peaks, but it lets you explore Hull Pot and Hunt Pot, where you can admire the stream dropping 61 m into a cave-like space. Revel in views of the other two peaks—Ingleborough and Whernside—as you take on this 9.5 km loop!
7. Grimwith Reservoir Walk - Looking for a family-friendly walk in the Yorkshire Dales? The Grimwith Reservoir Walk winds by waterfront views tucked into rolling countryside hills! The best part is that those needing pushchairs can enjoy this walk.
8. Swaledale Meadows to East Gill Force and Kisdon Force Walk - Explore quintessential views of the English countryside elevated by cascading waterfalls on the Swaledale Meadows to East Gill Force and Kisdon Force Walk. You’ll pass by four waterfalls, vistas of Pennine Way, and during the summer, marvel at the wildflowers adding colours to the scenery.
9. Ingleton Waterfalls Circular Walk - The Ingleton Waterfalls Circular Walk is another fantastic family-friendly walk that boasts a relaxing path, gentle terrain, and a 6.9 km distance! Discover lovely scenery and sparkling waterfalls as you make your way around the loop.
10. Grassington Walk - Wanting to bring your furry friends on a walk? Consider taking on the easy-going 11.7 km Grassington Walk that winds by pastures, meadows, and a river! Expect moderate ascents as well as stiles and steps on this walk.

More Popular Yorkshire Dales Walks

Two-Peak and Three-Peak Money Routes

The combined Whernside and Ingleborough Circular Walk, is a challenging circular that climbs both of the two highest Yorkshire Peaks from near Ribblehead Viaduct. The full Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, Whernside plus Ingleborough plus Pen-y-Ghent in a single day, is typically completed in around 12 hours, while the individual peaks linked in the list above are popular as one-peak days.

Waterfalls, Caves and Easier Days

Two useful waterfall-focused options are addressed by the Keld Waterfall Walk, which visits East Gill Force, Catrake Force and Wain Wath Force along the River Swale, and the Leyburn and Harmby Circular Walk, an easier loop near Leyburn with a waterfall and quarry along the way. For limestone-cave country south of the Three Peaks area, the Settle and Victoria Cave Walk climbs to the entrances of the Victoria and Albert caves with views across to Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough.

When Is The Best Time To Walk in Yorkshire Dales National Park?

The best time to walk in the Yorkshire Dales is during the warmer months—June to September—when the paths are dry, and you can catch unobstructed views! However, while the weather is better during the summer, this is also when tourists love to flock here, so make sure you book any accommodations well in advance. On a different note, spring boasts lovely vibrant scenery, making it a great time to visit the Dales. Just be ready for a spectrum of weather possibilities.

Best Regions for Walking in Yorkshire Dales National Park?

You’ll find great walks carved all over the Yorkshire Dales, but if you want to settle in one spot for a few days, Malham is your go-to spot, especially with epic places, such as the Gordale Scar, Malham Cove, and Malham Tarn, nearby. This quaint village is also located along the Pennine Way! To explore the Three Peaks area, which covers 160.0 km, head to the western Dales.

Other Outdoor Activities in Yorkshire Dales National Park?

Other outdoor activities in Yorkshire Dales National Park include exploring the limestone caves and road and mountain biking! Cyclers will love the range of tracks winding throughout the untouched countryside, replete with 900.0 km of Roman roads, bridleways, green lanes, and more. One of the more popular challenging routes is the 210km Yorkshire Dales Cycleway.

Tap into your adventurous side by checking out one or more of the 2500 caves spanning the limestone landscape! First-timers will likely enjoy the beginners' route: Long Churns. If you’re claustrophobic, you’ll be happy to know that caving isn’t all about getting on your hands and knees, as some have massive chambers, such as Gaping Gill.

Walking Tours in the Yorkshire Dales

Not in the mood to plan everything yourself? The Coast to Coast tour linked at the top of this page is the headline option that passes through the Yorkshire Dales itself. For more self-guided walking in the wider region, browse our self-guided Northern England walking tours, or take a step out to the wider region with our self-guided Northern England tours. For the full country and continent picture, see all our self-guided England hiking tours or self-guided walking tours across Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the prettiest village in the Yorkshire Dales?

Kirkby Lonsdale is not only the biggest village in the Yorkshire Dales, but the surplus of local walks and timeless architecture harking to centuries past make this a great spot to visit! Another great option is Hawes, a lovely village lined with picturesque stone houses. Finally, while also being one of the best places to stay for epic walks, Malham is also a charming village worth visiting.

What are the Yorkshire Dales known for?

Yorkshire Dales boasts rolling countryside views, limestone karsts, caves, ravines, and waterfalls. It’s like exploring a supernatural version of the countryside!

How big is the Yorkshire Dales?

The Yorkshire Dales covers 841 square kilometres, granting a lot of room to find space, even on busier days!

Find more walking regions

• Lake District Walks
• Peak District Walks
• South Downs Walks
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Walks
• Chiltern Hills Walks
• Snowdonia Walks
• North York Moors Walks
• all walks in England

Or use this link to find all walking regions in the UK.