Guided Trail on the Dales Way complete itinerary

84 miles. 11-15 miles and up to 1,300 feet of ascent in a day.

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: llkley to Burnsall - Commencing its 84-mile journey at the 17th-century bridge in Ilkley, the Dales Way follows the Wharfe to skirt the village of Addingham.  Beneath Beamsley Beacon the Way reaches Farfield Hall. A stretch of road leads to Bolton Bridge and the Yorkshire Dales National Park is entered as Bolton Priory comes into view. The river becomes a narrow torrent at the Strid, beyond which the path reaches another attractive 17th-century bridge at Barden. It then continues along a pleasant stretch to Howgill, below Appletreewick and on to the delightful village of Burnsall. Distance: 14 miles with 500 feet of ascent

Day 3: Burnsall to Buckden - Passing a limestone escarpment at Loup Scar, the path stays close to the river to reach Grassington, the principal settlement of Upper Wharfedale.  The Way then parts company with the river as it ascends above the valley floor. Scenic Wharfedale stretches before us as we continue towards the quaint village of Kettlewell. Keeping close to the floor of the valley once more, the Way continues past Starbotton to Buckden. Distance: 14 miles with 850 feet of ascent

Day 4: Buckden to Gearstones - The going gets tougher on today’s walk. The start is easy enough as the river is followed along Langstrothdale to Hubberholme, Yockenthwaite and Deepdale before we join a metalled road for a short distance to Oughtershaw. From here the track changes to a moorland path which climbs to join the Pennine Way for a short stretch beyond Cam Houses. At over 1,600 feet, this wild moorland is the highest point of the walk.  However, the Way soon descends to the main road above Gearstones where we rendezvous with our coach. Distance: 14 miles with 1,100 feet of ascent

Day 5: Gearstones to Sedbergh - Today we sample the delights of Dentdale, access to which is gained by passing through a viaduct on the Carlisle to Settle railway. Largely following riverside paths by the Dee, the unspoilt village of Dent is reached. The Way continues to Dillicar and joins an ancient bridleway to Millthrop with magnificent views over Sedbergh to the fells beyond. Distance: 15 miles with 650 feet of ascent

Day 6: Sedbergh to the A6 - Beyond Sedbergh the Dales Way crosses the A683 and proceeds to join the River Lune which it follows to Crook of Lune. Leaving the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the path then crosses the M6 motorway and the main west coast railway line to meander through pastoral countryside to Patton Bridge, passing Black Moss and Skelsmergh Tarns, and emerging on the A6 just south of Garth Row. Distance: 15 miles with 1,300 feet of ascent

Day 7: A6 to Bowness - The final stage is a fitting climax to the walk. Burneside is soon reached and the path follows the River Kent to Cowan Head and Hagg Foot and some craggy embankments must be negotiated before Staveley is reached. Now in the Lake District National Park, the Dales Way makes its way by tracks and lanes to Fell Plain before climbing to Crag House and Outrun Nook.  Shortly the panorama of Windermere and the Lakeland Fells comes into view. Distance: 12 miles with 1,100 feet of ascent

Day 8: Departure day