Yorkshire & The Dales


God’s Own County


The Yorkshire Dales National Park and Yorkshire itself is a beautiful place, hence the name ‘God’s own country. The history and landscape allures people from all around the world and has a bit of everything for everyone. I have always lived on the edge of the Dales, and visited regularly ever since I was a young lad. However, I never truly appreciated the area until in my late 20’s where I began to cycle and hike/walk more regularly. I found my hunger and curiosity grew the more I visited, immersing myself in the landscape.

Below you will find the hikes/walks that have ratings of difficulty and contain mainly my own stories, routes, GPX files and, photographs. Some longer than others. I hope others can enjoy their own Yorkshire adventure like me.

BLOGS & ROUTES

Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth

Simon’s Seat & The Valley of Desolation

An iconic and popular walk in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Simon’s Seat is at a height of 485m and although it’s not particularly high, it’s well worth a visit. Not to mention the views over the Dales are breathtakingly beautiful - especially if you catch a cloud inversion like I did.

Distance: 9 miles / 14.5km

Location: Barden bridge

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Attermire Scar

A series of limestone and caves above Settle - it is one of my favourite places to visit. There is so much to see and explore. I have visited Attermire many times before but wasn’t quite expecting to be as in awe as I was on this day.

Distance: 8.5 miles / 13km

Location: Stainforth

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Rating: Moderate Robert Duckworth Rating: Moderate Robert Duckworth

Whernside from Dent

Whernside, the highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, at 2,370ft. It has the appearance of a whale’s back (apparently) and one of the most popular mountains in the Dales. Although most walk from Ribblehead, this can be busy. Walking from Dentdale provides a much quieter route to the summit, and, in my opinion, more enjoyable. The views into Dentdale are fantastic too!

Distance: 8.5 miles - 13km

Location: Dent

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Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth

Old Cote Moor

Enjoy beautiful views over the Old Cote Moor. A challenging hilly trail that climbs up rocky terrain and along a grassy plateau, where fantastic views across the Yorkshire Dales open over upper Wharfedale. Head back into the valley of Kettlewell and continue up the steep hillside above Buckden and back towards Arncliffe. A challenging but rewarding hike.

Distance: 8 miles / 12.8 km

Location: Arncliffe

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Baugh Fell, Tarn Rigg

The highest summit of the very extensive Baugh Fell, known as Tarn Rigg Hill - and is quite featureless. Rarely visited, it’s a fell that I won’t be visiting in any hurry. I spent most of the day navigating my way over pathless moorlands, which seemed the take forever! However, the views over Sedbergh and the Howgills are fantastic and very rewarding - especially from Knoutberry Haw.

Distance: 12 miles / 19 km

Location: Murthwaite LnKirkby Stephen

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Middle Tongue

A long, partly trackless, hike in the hills above the valley of Langstrothdale. Middle Tongue is one of the most remote fells in the Dales, even the most experienced hiker would find it a long day out. Crossing expansive areas of moorland. With fantastic views throughout, including the three peaks, it’s a rewarding hike. Despite having sore legs at the end.

Distance: 10 Miles / 6 Km

Location: Hubbleholme

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Cosh Knott & Horse Head

Situated in the valley of Langstrothdale, lies Yockenthwaite. It is one of the smallest hamlets in the Yorkshire Dales and probably one of the quietest, too. The view down the valley is breathtakingly beautiful where the River Wharfe runs for 15 miles through the villages of Yockenthwaite, Deepdale, Beckermonds, and Oughtershaw.

Distance: 14 Miles / 22.5km

Location: Yockenthwaite

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Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth

Stainforth via Smearsett Scar & Giggleswick Scar

The small village of Stainforth is in the craven district of North Yorkshire. Nearby, there is Stainforth falls, which is renowned for wild swimming and is easily accessed on foot. From the falls, the walk rises high above the village, offering magnificent views of dramatic limestone and rocky outcrops towards the hamlet of Feizor.

Distance: 9 Miles / 14.5km

Location: Stainforth

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Lunds Fell, Hugh Seat, Gregory Chapel & High Seat

The broad ridge on the east side of Mallerstang offers fantastic views of the Northern Dales, Howgills, and the Lake District. Although the area creates a lot less attention compared to Wild Boar Fell to the west. It is equally as enjoyable, if not more so.

Distance: 11 Miles / 17.5km

Location: Mallerstang

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Yarlside & Randygill Top

The Howgills is a range of fells that are sandwiched between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Although they are still classified as part of the Yorkshire Dales (Cumbrian Dales) and part of the Dales 30. Which is one of the main reasons why I visit. However, I also go for the lonely rolling hills which makes it an absolute delight to walk on.

Distance: 8 miles / 12.8km

Location: The cross keys temperance Inn (Sedbergh)

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Rating: Easy Robert Duckworth Rating: Easy Robert Duckworth

Yarnbury

Grassington Moor Lead mining Trail. A short but fascinating hike, visiting the remains of Grassingtons disused lead mines in Yarnbury. It is a place to imagine what life was like on the moors during the active times of the lead mining industry.

Distance: 7 miles / 11.2 km

Location: Grassington / Yarnbury

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Rating: Medium Robert Duckworth Rating: Medium Robert Duckworth

Embsay Crag & Rylstone Cross

Embsay Moor is a large area of moorland to the North of Skipton. Much of it can be rough underfoot, however, there are wide 360 extensive views from the Crag and the cross, covering the Dale and beyond.

Distance: 8 miles / 12.5 km

Location: Barden Reservoir

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Wharfedale Three Peaks

The Dales are more commonly known for the Yorkshire’s three peaks, comprising Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough. Although popular and crowded, only a handful may wish to take the path less travelled, and it is where the Wharfedale three peaks come into its own.

Distance: 16 miles / 26km

Location: Kettlewell

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Rating: Medium Robert Duckworth Rating: Medium Robert Duckworth

Ilkley Moor

Among the moor, treasures such as Rombalds Moor trig point, white well spa cottage, and, the Twelve Apostles (prehistoric rock carvings and ancient monument) can be discovered.

Distance: Any

Location: Ilkley / Eldwick

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Rating: Easy Robert Duckworth Rating: Easy Robert Duckworth

Twistleton Scar

Twistleton Scar lies beneath the foothills of Ingleborough and Whernside. The valley pavement and scar were formed roughly 15,000 years ago when a glacier and ice cap retreated during the last ice age

Distance: 6 miles / 10 km

Location: Chapel-le-Dale

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Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Hard Robert Duckworth

Wild Boar Fell & Swarth Fell

A distinctive fell in the northern dales, on the eastern slopes of Mallerstang, where a series of nine large cairns stand prominently. While the flat plateau, remoteness, and quietness of Swarth Fell make it excellent walking conditions and a place to truly get away from it all.

Distance: 10 miles / 16 km Location: Mallerstang

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Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth

Barbondale

Barbondale and Calf Top is a geographer’s dream. With a steep-sided valley carved out through the landscape from the ice age, Barbon beck meanders throughout, and a broad wide grassy unspoiled ridge offers extensive views into the Howgills.

Distance: 9 miles / 14 km Location: Barbon

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Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth Rating: Medium/Hard Robert Duckworth

Birks Fell

Birks Fell is situated in-between the valleys of Wharfedale and Littondale. Until recently, it has been labelled as a Marilyn. A peak that is above 2000ft, which is also classified as part of the Dales 30.

Distance: 9 miles / 14 km Location: Starbottom

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