The Yorkshire Dales is a paradise for walkers and nature lovers.
With deep valleys limestone cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, picturesque villages
and lush greenery, you'll have many incredible options for your trip to the countryside.
In this video we will show you 12 examples of some of the amazing places you could go for a
walk in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the bordering area of Nidderdale. Our suggestions are
based on walks we have enjoyed on our own trips to the dales. We tried to keep the selection varied
in terms of sites and landmarks so hopefully you will find something that appeals to you.
We're going to start our journey up north in Swaledale which is perhaps a lesser visited
part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Muker is a fantastic place to start a walk
which takes you through gorgeous hay meadows. If you visit in June you'll be surrounded by
a wide variety of colourful wildflowers such as buttercups, wood cranes bill, and pignut.
You will also see 18th century cow houses dotted around. These old barns were used to shelter cows
in the winter and store hay harvested from the surrounding meadows. While in the area we
really enjoyed a six mile circular route from Muker to the charming village of Keld. As part
of this walk you can see Crackpot Hall which is a 17th century abandoned farmhouse. Not only can you
explore the crumbling ruins but this spot has amazing far-stretching views over the valley.
You will also see several waterfalls on this route. If you are up for a bit more of a challenge
then don't miss Kisdon Force. It takes a little bit more effort to get to than the others but
you'll be rewarded with a stunning set of falls that feels almost hidden away in a wooded gorge.
Overall i would say this walk is moderately difficult especially if
you take the steep and rocky path down to Kisdon Force.
This has to be one of my favourite walks in the Yorkshire Dales so far so i would definitely
recommend it if you're looking for somewhere to go in the northern part of the national park.
For our next couple of walks we're going to go into Wensleydale which is not only famous
for its delicious cheese, which will come to you shortly, but also for its impressive waterfalls.
if you're heading to Wensleydale from Swaledale you could go via Buttertub's
Pass which is possibly the most well-known road in the Yorkshire Dales. This incredible
road twists and turns across the high moorland and gives you dramatic views over the valley.
We would recommend taking this road if you can to reach number two on our list: Hawes and Hardraw Force.
In wensleydale sits the market town of Hawes where you could take a short walk
from the town to see Hardraw Force. With a drop of almost 100 feet, Hardraw Force is
known for being England's largest single drop waterfall. You access the waterfall
through the back of the Green Dragon pub then walk along the river to the fall.
You'll have two options for this walk: the easier flat low level walk where you see
the waterfall from the bottom and the high level route where you go to the top of the waterfall.
As the routes are short you could do both so that's what we did. You could also combine your walk with
a trip to the famous Wensleydale Creamery. Visit the cafe or restaurant to try some of their famous
cheese, pop to the gift shop to take some home with you, or even attend a demonstration to learn
more about the making of Wensleydale cheese. Just nine miles east of Hawes on the River Ure you'll
find Aysgarth Falls which you may recognize if you've ever seen the classic film Robin Hood
Prince of Thieves as this is where the fight scene takes place between Kevin Costner and Little John.
Follow an easy woodland path to see the lower, middle and upper falls tumbling over the rocky ledges.
There are some parts of the falls where you can sit and relax at the edge and just take it all in.
This walk is only around two miles long so if you would like to extend it there is a popular
six mile circular walk that combines seeing Aysgarth Falls with the ruins and gardens of Castle Bolton.
However if like us you don't have time for the full six mile walk then you could
walk around 20 minutes from Aysgarth Falls to Aysgarth Edwardian Rock Garden.
Tucked away at the western end of Aysgarth village this hidden gem
may only be very small but we think it's worth stopping by if you're in the area.
Commissioned before the first world war by a local land owner, this grade two listed rock garden is
like an enchanting walkthrough grotto. Explore the twisted paths through the limestone where you'll
be surrounded by pretty alpine plants. There's even a tiny stream complete with a trickling waterfall.
Next we're heading south west to one of the most famous destinations in the Yorkshire Dales:
The Three Peaks. You could choose to take on the gruelling three peaks challenge where you tackle
Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough - that's 25 miles of clambering up and scrabbling down,
all in one day. If that sounds like too much for you then don't worry, you're not alone,
many people choose to just climb one of the three peaks as their walk.
The clips you see now were taken from our walk up Pen-y-ghent. This peak is almost 700
meters high with the most taxing part of the hike being at the final scramble just before
you reach the top, but it's not too difficult and the views from the summit are well worth it.
Once you've walked back down you can take a short detour to Hull Pot, which is a huge
collapsed cavern measuring 91 meters long by 18 meters wide and 18 meters deep. The detour to
Hull Pot doesn't take long and we think it's well worth stopping by as part of your walk.
You could also choose to climb Ingleborough standing at 723 metres high, or Whernside which is 736 metres
and the highest summit in Yorkshire. If you decide to hike up Whernside then you could
combine your walk with a stop by the Ribblehead Viaduct. This man-made structure is really
impressive and the closer you get the more you can appreciate just how huge the viaduct is.
Our next stop in the Yorkshire Dales is just a few miles down the road at the Ingleton
Waterfalls Trail this amazing four and a half mile trail leads you through shaded mossy woodland,
across wide open countryside, along peaceful bubbling rivers and of course past multiple
spectacular waterfalls. There is so much variation in landscape all within one trail that this is
definitely a must do walk in the Yorkshire Dales. While the magnificent waterfalls are of course
the highlight of the walk you will also pass through some wonderful sections of woodland.
On your way around you'll spot helpful signs to help you identify birds and trees which are a
handy addition and really add to your enjoyment of the walk. As Ingleton Waterfalls Trail falls
on private land there is an admission fee of 8 pounds per adult and 4 pounds per child
to help with the upkeep of the walk, and we thought it was well worth the price. Next stop is a four
and a half mile circular walk starting at Malham Cove. The iconic curved white cliffs were formed
through ice and water erosion at the end of the last ice age this natural wonder is not only a
popular place for walkers and sport climbers but bird watchers also flock to Malham Cove to
spot the peregrine falcons, which have been nesting at the site since 1993. Walk to the top of the 70
meter high cliff and be treated with panoramic views across the glorious Yorkshire countryside.
The limestone pavement at the top of Malham Cove is deeply eroded and forms a really unique pattern.
Any Harry Potter fans might recognize this from the seventh film as this is where Harry
and Hermione set up camp while they're on their mission to destroy the horcruxes.
The next step on your walk is Gordale Scar. Follow Gordale Beck through a spectacular gorge
where limestone cliffs tower on either side. You then turn the corner to the grand reveal
which believe me is a lot more impressive than my rookie camera skills let on. The final key
natural attraction on this walk is Janet's Foss: a small waterfall which carries Gordale Beck over a
limestone crop into a deep pool below. The name Janet is a folktale reference to a fairy queen
who is thought to inhabit the cave at the rear of the waterfall. The drop pool of Janet's Foss
was traditionally used for sheep dipping which was a festival-like event for the local villagers.
Our next walk starts and ends in the idyllic village of Grassington. Not only does this
circular walk involve quiet peaceful stretches of countryside but you can start or end your walk by
exploring Grassington's pretty stone streets filled with tea rooms, unique shops and pubs.
This walk will take you through rolling green hills and the flower filled Grassington Park
estates meadows. Even though we were there just a little bit too early to see the meadows in
full bloom it was still really pretty. Just as with the Muker walk that we showed you earlier
if you time your walk for June then this is the best time to see the meadows. Once you've
reached the village of Hebden you'll follow the peaceful River Wharfe back towards Grassington.
This route will take you towards Linton Falls which is another highlight of this walk.
You can cross the bridge and look down to watch the water thundering through the rocks beneath you.
Number eight on our list is Bolton Abbey Estate. It's worth visiting the estate to explore the
ruins of the priory alone. After being gifted the land in 1154 the Augustinian Canons lived and
worshipped here until the priory was closed in the 1539 dissolution of the monasteries. However
as the canons had pastoral responsibilities in the surrounding community and it was the only
church in the area they were able to preserve the nave and the church still thrives today.
If you would like to go for a walk after viewing the priory then you have several different options
for trails around the estate. There will be different distances, difficulties and terrains
available so make sure you check the Bolton Abbey website to decide which walk you would like to do.
If you choose a woodland nature trail then you can stop by the ferocious Strid, which some say is one
of the most dangerous stretches of river in the world. While i don't know how accurate this claim
is you do have to be very careful while admiring the crashing swirling waters of the Strid. The
reason the strid is so dangerous is because the river is pushed through a narrow gap resulting in
deep fast flowing water with strong undercurrents, hidden caves and undercut rocky edges.
There are also different events and activities held throughout the year at Bolton Abbey.
For example on our most recent visit there was the welly walk.
This trail is particularly fun for families with children and involves tackling different
obstacles such as stepping stones, nets, beams ropes and tunnels. If you book before the day of
your visit an admission to Bolton Abbey Estate is currently 10 pounds per vehicle, not per person, and
includes parking. If you wait until the day of your visits and admission is a couple of pounds higher.
Next we're heading to the tranquil Swinsty and Fewston Reservoir which sits on the southern side of
the Nidderdale area of outstanding natural beauty. With flat terrain and well-maintained paths the
Swinsty and Fewston Reservoir loop is ideal if you're looking for a fairly easy walk.
The full loop is a little over seven miles long although you could just walk the perimeter of
one of the two reservoirs if you were looking for something a little shorter.
We really enjoyed the views across the reservoir, the path taking you between the tall green pine
trees and the moments where we saw a flock of what i think might have been whooper swans taking flight.
Number 10 is Brimham Rocks which is managed by the National Trust. This area is filled with
amazing giant rock formations that were created over 100 million years before the first dinosaurs
even existed. People used to think that these rocks were made by the druids but now we know they were
naturally formed. Over time the ice wind and rain sculpted these rocks into really interesting
shapes and a lot of these formations have been given nicknames based on what they look like.
I'll show you a few examples. There's the idol rock which is a huge rock that has somehow been
balancing on a much smaller rock for the last ten thousand years. There's Druid's Writing Desk which
kind of looks like E.T. There's the Dancing Bear... or is it a begging dog? And then there's Lover's Leap.
Supposedly there was a couple - Edwin and Julia - who were madly in love, but Julia's dad wasn't having
any of it and said they couldn't see each other anymore, so the couple jumped off the rock together.
However rather than plummeting to their death they floated to the ground.
Brimham Rocks is a large site so you could spend a few hours scrambling around and
exploring if you like, however there are several options for other walking routes in the area.
If you're looking for a longer walk then you could follow an 8
mile circular route between Brimham Rocks and the picturesque market town of Pateley Bridge.
You could break up your walk with a browse of the high street which is full of independent
shops including the oldest sweet shop in the world. As you explore keep your eyes
peeled for plaques as they will help you learn more about the history of the town.
Seven miles up the road from Brimham Rocks you will find another National Trust
property and designated World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden.
Dating back to 1132 this is one of the largest Cistercian monasteries in England.
Fountains abbey was founded by 12 monks who became fed up of the extravagant lifestyles of the other
monks in York and were looking to live a more simple life elsewhere. Through wool production,
lead mining, cattle rearing, horse breeding and stone quarrying, Fountains Abbey became one of
the wealthiest monasteries in England before it was closed down by Henry VIII. After walking the
grounds of the ruined abbey stroll along the river to the 18th century Studley Royal Water Garden.
Walk by elegant waterways dotted with classical statues and search for follies around the garden,
explore the woodland, admire the views and don't miss walking through the dark serpentine tunnel.
Admission is free to National Trust and English Heritage members otherwise the
cost is 17 pounds per adult and 8 pound 50 per child although there are group and
family tickets available which could make your trip a little bit cheaper.
Now if you're looking for something with a bit of an unusual story for your walk then Druid's
Temple could be a good option for you. Set in the woodland of Swinton Bivouac on the edge of
Nidderdale you will find the strange folly known as Druid's Temple. While the structure does look like
an ancient monument it was actually built in 1820 on the orders of the estate owner William Danby.
He paid local workers affected by an economic depression to build the folly as a way to help
tackle unemployment. Not only did Danby design the folly but he then hired a hermit to live
there for seven years. Unsurprisingly nobody lasted for the full seven years. The longest
anybody managed to remain there was a still pretty impressive four and a half years. Druid's Temple is
around 100 feet long consisting of looming stones standing at over 10 feet high. Towards the back
of the stone circle you will see a sacrificial altar and a stone table in front of a dark cave.
Not only is the folly itself interesting to see but it is surrounded by lush woodland
so there are plenty of paths for you to follow to extend your walk.
While you explore the area don't miss this amazing vantage point just past this particularly eerie
looking stone structure where you will be treated to a far-reaching view over Leighton Reservoir.
Well that's it for our 12 suggestions of places to walk in the Yorkshire Dales.
Of course this list only really scratches the surface of this breathtaking part of the country,
but I hope if you're new to the Yorkshire Dales then it will have at least helped get you started.
If you would like any more information on the places suggested in this video then we
do have a playlist of more in-depth guides to most of these locations
so I will link that in the description below this video. Thanks for watching.