Dales Way Self Guided Walking Holidays

The Dales Way is an 84 mile trail which leads from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness on Windermere in Cumbria by way of Wharfedale, Dentdale and South Lakeland, from beneath England's most famous moor to its largest lake.

The trail passes through the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, discovering delightful villages such as Burnsall, Grassington, Kettlewell, Dent and Sedbergh. Savour the majesty of Bolton Abbey and walk by the engaging rivers of Wharfe, Dee, Rawthey, Lune, Sprint and Kent.

The route is less demanding than many long distance footpaths. For the first four days the route follows a mainly riverside trail through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, but it takes its opportunities to gain height and variety along the valley sides of both Wharfdale and Dentdale. After leaving the Dales the trail passes to the north of Kendal and into the Lake District for the final section of the walk.

Typically you travel to Ilkley and overnight ready to start your walk the following morning. Each night on the trail you stay in a different location in prebooked selected accommodation, with full English breakfast provided. Your luggage is collected daily and moved to your next accommodation. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions about the route either before you start your holiday or while you are walking the trail.

Tour availability
This tour is available throughout the year.

Holidays include

  • Selected accommodation with en-suite rooms (as available) and full English breakfast.

  • Luggage transfer between overnight accommodation.

  • Route information and itinerary.

  • Detailed instructions to find your accommodation.

  • Guidebook and Harvey route map for the group Leader.

  • Emergency contact

Grade of walk
This is a moderate route. The terrain of the Dales Way makes for less demanding walking than many long distance paths. Whilst it is a largely riverside route the way still grasps some opportunities to gain height along the valley sides of both Wharfedale and Dentdale, and as it crosses the moors between the two valleys.

Start of tour
Ilkley, Yorkshire.

End of tour
Bowness on Windemere, Cumbria.

Accommodation
Accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected comfortable B&B’s, Guest Houses, and Inns.

Meals
A full English breakfast is included. Packed lunches can be purchased from your overnight accommodation or from local convenience stores (where available). Evening meals can be purchased in pubs and overnight accommodation when a pub is not available.

Luggage transfer
For the duration of the walk you luggage is transferred door to door between overnight accommodation by baggage transfer service, so all you need to carry is a day rucksack and its contents.

Guide Book and Map
A guide book and Harvey route map are included.

Transport to and from the route
There are train stations in Ilkley and Windermere. Local taxis are also available. A convenient major city and International airport is Manchester.


Dales Way information and itineraries.

To book your holiday pick the itinerary that meets your requirements, then go to Book Your Holiday and follow the instructions.

If you want to follow an itinerary that is not listed below please contact us.

Extra nights/rest days can be added to your itinerary. Price from £38 per person per night.


8 day Dales Way self guided itinerary

  • 7 nights accommodation including breakfast
  • Baggage transfer along the route
  • 6 days walking
  • Total distance 84 miles
  • Average daily distance 14 miles
  • Shortest day 11 miles
  • Longest day 17 miles
  • Cost £375/person
    (single supplement £70/person)

Click here for Itinerary


9 day Dales Way self guided itinerary

  • 8 nights accommodation including breakfast
  • Baggage transfer along the route
  • 7 days walking
  • Total distance 84 miles
  • Average daily distance 12 miles
  • Shortest day 10 miles
  • Longest day 15 miles
  • Cost £430/person
    (single supplement £80/person)

Click here for Itinerary


10 day Dales Way self guided itinerary

  • 9 nights accommodation including breakfast
  • Baggage transfer along the route
  • 8 days walking
  • Total distance 84 miles
  • Average daily distance 10.5 miles
  • Shortest day 6 miles
  • Longest day 15 miles
  • Cost £495/person
    (single supplement £90/person)

Click here for Itinerary


11 day Dales Way self guided itinerary

  • 10 nights accommodation including breakfast
  • Baggage transfer along the route
  • 9 days walking
  • Total distance 84 miles
  • Average daily distance 9 miles
  • Shortest day 6 miles
  • Longest day 12 miles
  • Cost £545/person
    (single supplement £100/person)

Click here for Itinerary