Guided Trail on The Dales Way northern section

42 miles. 7-10 miles and up to 500 feet of ascent in a day.

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Far Gearstones to Dent - From Far Gearstones, once an old coaching inn, we take the moorland track which brings us out onto the road above the Dent Viaduct on the Carlisle-to-Settle railway. We now follow the River Dee along a road passing Cow Dubb and its pub, and Lea Yeat, with its old Quaker Meeting House, now a private dwelling. Continuing along Dentdale with its many stiles, we follow the river until the unspoilt village of Dent is reached. Walking up through the cobbled street we view the monument to Adam Sedgwick and then possibly visit the church before taking the coach back to Thorns Hall. Distance: 9½ miles with 500 feet of ascent

Day 3: Dent to Lincoln’s Inn Bridge - Leaving Dent we continue to follow the river and its stiles, which have gunmetal plaques attached to the gateposts. After a short walk along a quiet country lane we leave the River Dee and cross the Dent to Sedbergh road before rising over the hill, which gives us magnificent views of Sedbergh and the Howgills. We then descend down into the hamlet of Millthrop. Now, following the River Rawthey, we pass the confluence of the Dee and Rawthey just past the hamlet of Birks. As the Dales Way reaches the A683 there will be chance to divert to Briggflatts Quaker Meeting House before continuing along the River Lune and finishing at Lincoln’s Inn Bridge, another former inn serving the travellers and drovers bringing cattle down from Scotland. Distance: 8¼ miles with 250 feet of ascent

Day 4: Lincoln’s Inn Bridge to Grayrigg - Leaving the Bridge we are now following the Lune valley, with its viaducts which carried the Settle-to-Tebay railway. Arriving at the Crook of Lune, the bridge used to form the boundaries between the former West Riding and the now defunct county of Westmorland. A short road walk will take us under the last of the viaducts as we head towards the M6 motorway. Leaving the noise of the motorway we cross fields and stiles before reaching the west coast railway line and then rising to Grayrigg village. Distance: 7¼ miles with 500 feet of ascent

Day 5: This is a day without any walks programmed, giving you the opportunity to explore the local area independently, or to use the Country House facilities.

Day 6: Beckhouses to Staveley - Leaving Beckhouses, we walk along the side of the main railway line before making our way over fields and stiles towards the A685. Crossing the road we continue along field tracks, crossing the River Mint via a footbridge before reaching Black Moss Tarn, with its bird and plant life. The path then follows a metalled road down to the A6. Crossing this busy main road we continue on field tracks to reach Sprint Mill on the River Sprint before walking past Burneside with its ruined pele tower. Following the River Kent with pleasant riverside walking we pass Cowan Head, now made into upmarket apartments, reaching Staveley in time for a welcome drink at the local hostelry. Distance: 9¼ miles with 200 feet of ascent

Day 7: Staveley to Bowness-on-Windermere - Leaving Staveley we are now in the Lake District National Park and the Dales Way becomes more rugged though still continuing on well-made tracks and lanes. Eventually the panorama of Windermere and the Lakeland Fells comes into view. A short detour past School Knott Tarn up onto School Knott will give a good lunch stop with excellent views of the surrounding hills and Lake Windermere. Continuing on good tracks we eventually reach the stone bench which marks the end of the Dales Way. From this vantage point there are excellent views across Windermere. Walk down into the town, and to get away from the madding crowds perhaps walk round to Cockshott Point and reflect on the walk you have just completed. Distance: 7 miles with 500 feet of ascent

Day 8: Departure day