The Dales Way is a long distance footpath of roughly 80 miles, usually starting in Ilkley, passing through many lovely and interesting dales and villages, to its end on the shores of Lake Windermere at Bowness, in the Lake District.

Special Offers, Quotes and Bookings

Dales Way Budget Package 

Download our Accommodation Booking Form 

Download our Baggage Transfer Booking Form 

 

Walk Information

Along the way, it follows Wharfedale, passing the ancient priory at Bolton Abbey, and continues at a predominantly low level as it follows the valleys of the Rivers Wharfe, Dee, Lune, and Kent. However, the weather and terrain should not be underestimated, as it does cross the Pennine moors at a high level, near Ribblehead, in the central section, which can often be shrouded in low cloud.

The route was originally planned as an official National Trail, though unfortunately, it has not yet achieved this status. As far as possible, the Dales Way follows riverside tracks and offers a scenically attractive route from urban West Yorkshire to the Lake District. Any reasonably fit person can undertake the walk in a weeks holiday.

The Way is well way marked with signs, but you will need a guide book (recommend the Dales Way Route Guide, by Arthur Gemmell & Colin Speakman, price £4.00) and the appropriate O.S. maps, which usually have the Dales Way marked.

For this walk, we can arrange your accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast basis (evening meals are usually available locally) at local inns, hotels, or private residences, all of which have been satisfactorily tried and tested by us and our many clients in past years, and for your guidance, below is a list of the usual stopovers, with the daily distances between each.

Note: The walk can be undertaken with either 6 or 7 overnight stays, the following programme of 6 night stays requiring either

1.  An overnight stay in Ilkley before commencing the walk, and returning home directly from Bowness on the last day of the walk, or...
2. Commencing the walk immediately on arrival in Ilkley, and having an overnight stay in Bowness, at the end of the walk, before returning home the next day.

Useful External Links

• Dales Way by Paul Hannon
• Walking Places Message Forum

Note: You may wish to recuperate and rest at the end by spending your last night in Bowness, or return to Ilkley by our minibus service. Ask for details of times and prices. and our arrangements for the free parking of your car.

Economy Options

Take this package, and we will transfer your baggage along with your overnight accommodation, daily along the trail. Our trailer-tents or caravans will provide you with comfortable overnight accommodation during your holiday.

This alternative package includes:

• Two, or four-man off-the-ground sleeping accommodation, with all bedding provided.
• Cooking facilitates and equipment included.
• Electric hook-up points where available.
• Electric refrigerator and lanterns.
• Self-catering hampers containing ingredients for continental-style breakfasts, packed lunches and cooked evening meals.
• Overnight stays on campsites with washing & W.C. facilitates, and usually more. (details supplied)
• No baggage transfer costs - your baggage travels daily from campsite to campsite with your accommodation.
• Substantial savings on your holiday costs.

The packages can be adapted to your specific requirements, and we can also arrange to return you to your car at the end of your holiday.

Please enquire for 2012 tariffs.

 

Typical Itinerary