The Best Hiking Trails in the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is a stunningly beautiful region of England, and one of the best ways to explore its marvelous landscapes is to go on a hike. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the Yorkshire Dales offer something for everyone. From multi-day hikes to day trips and gentle strolls, you’ll find plenty of trails to explore.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best hiking trails in the Yorkshire Dales. We’ll explore the trails’ features, terrain, and difficulty level, as well as some of the scenic spots you’ll encounter along the way. So grab your kit and let’s hit the trails!

Ingleborough

One of the most popular hiking trails in the Yorkshire Dales is the Ingleborough Circuit. This 9-mile circular route starts and finishes in the village of Ingleton, and takes you up onto the slopes of Ingleborough. Along the way, you’ll take in spectacular views of the surrounding dales and nearby hills, including Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside.

This moderate-level trail takes around 5-7 hours to complete. The terrain is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground and a few short stretches of tarmac. As you ascend Ingleborough, you’ll be treated to some truly breathtaking views. The summit of Ingleborough is one of the most iconic spots in the Yorkshire Dales, and it’s well worth the climb.

At the summit, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, descending the slopes of Ingleborough and making your way back to the village of Ingleton.

Pen-y-Ghent

Pen-y-Ghent is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and it’s also one of the most popular hiking trails in the Yorkshire Dales. This 6-mile circular route starts and finishes in the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, and takes you up onto the slopes of Pen-y-Ghent. Along the way, you’ll take in stunning views of the surrounding dales and nearby hills.

The terrain on this trail is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground. The climb up Pen-y-Ghent is quite steep in places, so it’s best suited to experienced walkers. At the summit, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, descending the slopes of Pen-y-Ghent and making your way back to the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

This moderate-level route takes around 4-5 hours to complete. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can also combine this trail with the Ingleborough and Whernside circuits to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

Malham Cove

The Malham Cove trail is a stunning 7-mile route that starts and finishes in the village of Malham. Along the way, you’ll take in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Yorkshire Dales, including Malham Cove and Gordale Scar. The terrain is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground and a few short stretches of tarmac.

This moderate-level trail takes around 3-4 hours to complete. As you ascend Malham Cove, you’ll be treated to some truly breathtaking views. At the summit, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, descending the slopes of Malham Cove and making your way back to the village of Malham.

If you’re feeling up for a challenge, you can also combine this route with the nearby Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar trails to complete the Malham Three Peaks challenge. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

Janet’s Foss

The Janet’s Foss trail is a stunning 4-mile route that starts and finishes in the village of Malham. Along the way, you’ll take in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Yorkshire Dales, including Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar. The terrain is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground and a few short stretches of tarmac.

This moderate-level trail takes around 2-3 hours to complete. As you ascend Janet’s Foss, you’ll be treated to some truly breathtaking views. At the summit, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, descending the slopes of Janet’s Foss and making your way back to the village of Malham.

If you’re feeling up for a challenge, you can also combine this route with the nearby Malham Cove and Gordale Scar trails to complete the Malham Three Peaks challenge. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

Gordale Scar

The Gordale Scar trail is a stunning 5-mile route that starts and finishes in the village of Malham. Along the way, you’ll take in some of the most spectacular scenery in the Yorkshire Dales, including the imposing Gordale Scar. The terrain is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground and a few short stretches of tarmac.

This moderate-level trail takes around 3-4 hours to complete. As you ascend Gordale Scar, you’ll be treated to some truly breathtaking views. At the summit, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, descending the slopes of Gordale Scar and making your way back to the village of Malham.

If you’re feeling up for a challenge, you can also combine this route with the nearby Malham Cove and Janet’s Foss trails to complete the Malham Three Peaks challenge. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks

The Yorkshire Three Peaks is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Yorkshire Dales. This 24-mile circuit takes you up onto the slopes of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, and is a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales. Along the way, you’ll take in some stunning views of the surrounding dales and nearby hills.

The terrain on this trail is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground. The climb up Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough is quite steep in places, so it’s best suited to experienced walkers. At the summits, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, descending the slopes of the three peaks and making your way back to the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

This challenging route takes around 10-12 hours to complete. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

The Ribble Way

The Ribble Way is a stunning 40-mile route that follows the course of the River Ribble. This route starts in the village of Settle, and takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Yorkshire Dales, including Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, and the Yorkshire Three Peaks. The terrain is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground and a few short stretches of tarmac.

This moderate-level route takes around 4-5 days to complete. As you walk along the Ribble Way, you’ll be treated to some truly breathtaking views. At each stop, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, making your way back to the village of Settle.

If you’re feeling up for a challenge, the Ribble Way is a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to take in the stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.

The Dales Way

The Dales Way is a stunning 80-mile route that starts in the village of Ilkley, and takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Yorkshire Dales. Along the way, you’ll take in some stunning views of the surrounding dales and nearby hills, including Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, and the Yorkshire Three Peaks. The terrain is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground and a few short stretches of tarmac.

This challenging route takes around 7-9 days to complete. As you walk along the Dales Way, you’ll be treated to some truly breathtaking views. At each stop, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, making your way back to the village of Ilkley.

If you’re feeling up for a challenge, the Dales Way is a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to take in the stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.

Whernside

The Whernside trail is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and it’s also one of the most popular hiking trails in the Yorkshire Dales. This 8-mile circular route starts and finishes in the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, and takes you up onto the slopes of Whernside. Along the way, you’ll take in stunning views of the surrounding dales and nearby hills.

The terrain on this trail is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground. The climb up Whernside is quite steep in places, so it’s best suited to experienced walkers. At the summit, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, descending the slopes of Whernside and making your way back to the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

This moderate-level route takes around 4-5 hours to complete. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can also combine this trail with the Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent circuits to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

The Pennine Way

The Pennine Way is a stunning 268-mile route that follows the course of the Pennine mountain range. This route starts in the village of Edale, and takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Yorkshire Dales, including Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, and the Yorkshire Three Peaks. The terrain is mostly grassy, with some sections of rocky ground and a few short stretches of tarmac.

This challenging route takes around 14-20 days to complete. As you walk along the Pennine Way, you’ll be treated to some truly breathtaking views. At each stop, you can take a break to enjoy a well-earned snack and drink in the views. After that, you’ll continue the circuit, making your way back to the village of Edale.

If you’re feeling up for a challenge, the Pennine Way is a great way to explore the Yorkshire Dales. This is a popular route amongst experienced hikers, and it’s a great way to take in the stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.

Conclusion

The Yorkshire Dales is a stunningly beautiful region of England, and there are plenty of amazing hiking trails to explore. From multi-day hikes to day trips and gentle strolls, the Yorkshire Dales offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find plenty of trails to explore.

In this blog post, we’ve explored some of the best hiking trails in the Yorkshire Dales. We’ve looked at the trails’ features, terrain, and difficulty level, as well as some of the scenic spots you’ll encounter along the way. So grab your kit and get exploring!