Dales Way

by: Colin Speakman
The Dales Way is one of our most popular and cherished long distance paths. For over 40 years walkers have followed the 78 miles of riverside track from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere, passing through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the gentle foothills of southern Lakeland to the shore of England's grandest lake.
This is the original guide to the Dales Way, now fully revised and updated. It provides a detailed description of the route, together with insightful accounts of the places and features of interest along the way. It includes the three major link routes from Leeds, Harrogate and Bradford and a history of the People's Path. The large scale and very detailed full colour strip maps of the entire route make navigating straightforward and there are many colour photographs illustrating the beautiful places you will visit on your journey.
ISBN 9780955998775 Pages 111 (2013) 148mm x 210mm

by: Henry Stedman
The Dales Way long distance footpath begins in Ilkley, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and runs for 81 miles (130km) to end in the Lake District at Bowness-on-Windermere. It follows the beautiful River Wharfe towards Ribblehead, then meanders along the river valleys of Dentdale, eventually dropping down into the Lake District National Park. It is a relatively easy walk that takes about a week.

One of the strengths of Trailblazer guides is the mapping and this guide includes 38 detailed sketch maps at the large scale of 1:20,000, making route finding easy. The unique mapping features include walking times, directions, tricky junctions, places to stay, places to eat and points of interest. These are not general purpose maps but fully edited maps drawn by walkers for walkers.

The maps are supported by detailed route descriptions. Itineraries cover hiking the entire route or sampling the delights on day walks or short breaks. There is also information about link routes from Harrogate, Bradford and Leeds. Detailed public transport information is provided for all access points.

There is practical information for all budgets, what to see, where to stay and where to eat including pubs, hotels, B&B, camping and hostels. This is provided in detailed guides to 23 towns and villages along the route. The excellent introductory chapters include comprehensive information for planning the walk, the environment and nature. There are also some nice colour plates of wildlife.

The book divides the route into six day stages. These are as follows:
Ilkley to Burnsall
Burnsall to Buckden via Grassington
Buckden to Cowgill
Cowgill to Millthrop (for Sedbergh)
Millthrop (for Sedbergh) to Burneside (for Kendal)
Burneside to Bowness-on-Windermere

ISBN 9781912716302 Pages 181 (2022) 120mm x 180mm

by: Terry Marsh
The Dales Way is a delightful long distance path through the Yorkshire Dales and the eastern fringes of the Lake District from Ilkley to Bowness on Windermere, a total of 78 miles. The route follows the valleys of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, making the most of delectable Wharfedale before crossing into picturesque Dentdale and continuing on to Sedbergh. From here, the Way leads on to its final end at the edge of Lakeland. One of the many attractions of this well loved route is the abundance of features of architectural, historical, social and ecological interest along the way. The Dales Way is one of the gentlest of walks, suitable for all ages and an excellent introduction to long distance walking.
This is a fully updated second edition of an established and reliable guide and is excellent in providing background information on many of the interesting places en route as well as providing clear route instructions in both directions. This edition also has Ordnance Survey Landranger mapping with the route highlighted and includes numerous colour photographs.
ISBN 9781852844646 Pages 150 (2014) 115mm x 172mm

by: Footprint
The Dales Way is a 79 mile (127km) long distance trail in the north of England, running between Ilkley, in North Yorkshire and Bowness-on-Windermere, in Cumbria. Much of the route passes through the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks. Starting out in Ilkley, the route runs along Wharfedale, passing the impressive ruins of Bolton Priory and the attractive market town of Grassington. It continues along the River Wharfe through dramatic limestone scenery before it crosses The Pennines to reach Dentdale and Sedbergh. It then skirts the Howgill Fells and crosses the M6 motorway to finish overlooking Lake Windermere.

This map-guide is laid out for walkers travelling from Ilkley to Bowness, although walkers travelling in the opposite direction should find it equally useful. The folded map opens out to show the route in nine panels. Each panel includes a detailed route map, route profile and helpful notes on navigation. The route is clearly shown on the full colour detailed mapping at a scale 0f 1:40,000. The mapping is based upon Ordnance Survey data and shows the National Grid. Information useful to walkers such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, cafes, pubs, ATMs, public toilets and grocery shops is provided. There are link routes from Bradford, Leeds and Harrogate to the start of the route at Ilkley.

ISBN 9781916002937 Folded map (2019) 100mm x 150mm folded

by: Paul Hannon
The Dales Way is an 84-mile long distance path passing through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and culminating in the Lake District. The route starts at Ilkley in Yorkshire and ends at Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria. The idea of following rivers through the Dales results in a well-defined route, namely the near straight line through Wharfdale and Dentdale. The rivers Lune and Kent then chip in with a few miles during the crossing of undulating hills to the heart of Lakeland.

The terrain of Dales Way country makes for a less demanding walk than many long distance paths and this has no doubt boosted its popularity, together with its lovely riverside scenery. Discover 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 guide divides the route into six well-arranged sections to ensure this undemanding walk can easily be tackled by most walkers within the space of a week's holiday. Clear and concise route directions and sketch maps are supported by additional background information and practical details including a wide range of accommodation and many welcoming pubs and teashops. The guide is illustrated with many colour photographs showing the beauty of the journey. Although there are sketch maps we would recommend also carrying the appropriate OS maps when walking the route.

The stages are as follows:
Ilkley to Burnsall - 12 miles
Burnsall to Buckden - 14 miles
Buckden to Gearstones - 13 miles
Gearstones to Sedbergh - 14.5 miles
Sedbergh to Burneside - 16.5 miles
Burneside to Bowness - 9.5 miles

ISBN 9781907626104 Pages 96 (2012) 117mm x 174mm

by: Colin Speakman
This little pocket guide is the 2002 edition of the original Dales Way guide published by Dalesman in 1970. It has clear route directions and commentry plus good sketch maps with the route marked in red. There is an introductory section giving some history of the route. The Dales Way from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere has proved to be one of the most popular of all long distance walks since it was first described in this guide. The 84 mile route is a superb riverside path, based primarily on the Wharfe and Dee, leading right through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the gentle foothills of Southern Lakeland to the shore of England's grandest and most famous lake.
Suitable for the average rambler or reasonably energetic family, the Dales Way is easy walking in the main, and can be done in a week's holiday or in stages over several weekends. This guide breaks the route down into 6 stages as follows: Ilkley to Grassington; Grassington to Buckden; Buckden to Lea Yeat; Lea Yeat to Sedbergh; Sedbergh to Burneside; Burneside to Bowness.
ISBN 1855681986 pages 55 (2002) 120mm x 185mm Classic Book Series

This Harvey Route Map shows the complete Dales Way from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windemere on one fold out sheet. It also includes the three link routes from Harrogate, Leeds and Bradford. At a scale of 1:40,000 the map has excellent detail and ensures accurate navigation. The path is clearly marked and is identified as following a track or path, including indication of sections where there is no visible path on the ground. It also covers sufficient surrounding area to obtain a clear understanding of the terrain along the route. The map shows the National Grid to aid referencing, is GPS compatible and includes a full legend.
A brief introduction and description of the route is included, together with directions on how to get to the start. Practical information includes contact details for TIC's, accommodation, places of interest and other useful organisations. The map is printed on 100% waterproof tough polyethylene and has an additional protective plastic sleeve.
ISBN 9781851374281 (2007)