Dales Way Walking Holidays

The Dales Way journeys across the rugged countryside of theYorkshire Dales National Parkto the shores of England's largest lake, Windermere, in the romantic Lake District.

Nights: 7 to 10 Nights
Distance: 78.5 to 79.5 miles
Location: Northern England
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate – Moderate
Season: Apr to Sep
Price from: £925

From £925 per person

Book

Highlights

Experience the wonderful walking area of the Yorkshire Dales

: Bolton Priory, one of the impressive ecclesiastical ruins en-route including Fountain Abbey
: The impressive Lake Windermere
: The charming cobbled streets of Dent village
You'll cross two National Parks: The Yorkshire Dales and Lake District
: Walk a classic English landscape, most famously depicted by the Brontë sisters
: Scenic riverside walks, particularly following the River Wharf towards Ribblehead
: Classic British country pubs along the way

A Great Introduction to Long-Distance Walking with The Dales Way

Your Dales Way walk begins at the 'Old Bridge' in the stone town of Ilkley, from where the Dales Way follows mostly river tracks, starting at the River Wharfe and leading to its source on Cam Fell at 1700 ft.

The Augustinian Bolton Priory is a memorable site along the early stages of the Dales Way walk, with the captivating villages of Burnsall, Buckden, Grassington and Kettlewell following soon afterwards as the trail moves through the limestone landscapes of Upper Wharfedale. Beyond Cam Fell are some of the most rugged parts of the Pennine moors.

The trail continues along the River Dee through the cobbled streets of the delightful village of Dent, and on to the old market town of Sedbergh, between the slopes of the Howgill Fells. Here you move away from the Yorkshire Dales and on towards the mountains of the Lake District, standing at the edge of the horizon, ending your walk on the edge of Lake Windermere's famous waters.

This walk takes you over rivers and moorland with views across the Howgills, and walking south to north - ending in the lakes is a particularly scenic finish to the journey. While starting the route, the river Wharfe is at your side through farmland and field, as well as busier sections of the path as your route meets the ruins of Bolton priory and Bardon tower. You'll find old stone bridges as you make your way across the rivers that intersect the path to Bowness, in a landscape scattered with ruins and impressive structures (such as the Lune viaduct).

There are few major hills to climb for a walk with such memorable and impressive views. It's also quite an easy route to follow, and well way-marked in most places - but not to the extent where you won't need the assistance of a map and route guides. Trail maintenance has improved in recent years, with many fallen way-mark posts now reinstated.

Choose Your Walk

Our Dales Way Itineraries

Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere

80 miles (128.7 km)

8 Nights Moderate
DW1
From £1,095 Per Person
7 Nights Moderate
DW2
From £925 Per Person
10 Nights Easy to Moderate, Moderate
DW3
From £1,405 Per Person

Key Information

Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
Breakfast
Luggage transfers
Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
Route planning
Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details

Customise your trip?

Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.

Telephone: +44 (0)1291 689 774
Email: walk@celtic-trails.com

Dales Way Client Reviews

4.8/5 based on 39 reviews

"The beautiful countryside, the warm hosts and fellow walkers, the adventure, all the planning that Celtic Trails performed making it all effortless for us."

Dave and Patti Longstreth

August 2025

"Celtic trails provided an excellent plan, secured accommodations, taxis etc. & were responsive to our needs. Celtic tTrails personnel were pleasnat, helpful + respectful"

Darrell & Audrey

July 2025

"We were very appreciative that a walk was tailored to our age / ability."

Karen

July 2025

"Our trip was well-organized, and Celtic Trails was helpful and ready to assist. This was just the right kind of package for us as first-time walkers."

Beth

June 2025

"Great support, detaild orientated, responsive & modifications"

K Pakka, Tueson

June 2025

"My daughter and I loved our holiday and hope to book again with you in a year or two. I greatly appreciated the personal service and responsiveness. Accommodations were great, food was excellent."

Victoria Thulman

June 2025

"An excellent experience. The trip was well organized and the accommodation excellent. Celtic was quick to respond to inquiries before we left and deal with the issue that arose while on the trip."

Anon

June 2025

"Celtic Trails was a great company to work with"

Anon

May 2025

"They made a tailer made walk, accomodation was good, also always accessible on the phone"

Anon

September 2024

Hand-Picked Accommodation: Comfort Along the Way

We seek out the best accommodation of its type available

Points of Interest

Lake Windermere
Walkers finishing the Dales Way will find a spectacular ending to the walk as they come upon the cavernous lake of Bowness-on-Windermere. It's the largest lake in the Cumbria National Park, and the surrounding peaks and hills create a beautiful effect in the landscape.
You can extend your walk into Bowness-on-Windermere and its lake by taking the trails that lead to Orrest Head, a hill with views across the lake and the fells beyond, and Holehird Gardens, with its alpines, heathers and shrubs.

Media Gallery

Dales Way Walking Holiday — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Buckden Rake, Yockenthwaite and the Wharfe on the Dales Way Walking Holiday — Buckden Rake, Yockenthwaite and the Wharfe

Dales Way Walking holidays — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Walking holidays Dales way — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Walking holidays in yorkshire — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Hiking Dales Way — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Self guided walking holidays in Yorkshire — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Yorkshire Walking holidays — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Walking holiday Dales way — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

Blue Bell Inn, Kettlewell, The Dales Way — Blue Bell Inn, Kettlewell. John Wheatley

Cam High Road above Cam Fell. Trevor Littlewood

Walking Holidays Yorkshire — Taken by Phil & Willie on their Celtic Trails Walking Holiday

River Wharfe, Rob Burke Dales Way Walking holidays — River Wharfe, Rob Burke

Climb to School Knott on the Dales Way — Climb to School Knott. Martin Dawes

Headstone viaduct Monsole Dales Way — Headstone viaduct, Monsole Dale

Customise your trip?

Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.

Telephone: +44 (0)1291 689 774
Email: walk@celtic-trails.com

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