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Why we love the Yorkshire Dales

With its heather-topped moorlands, hefty peaks and patchwork of pastures, the Yorkshire Dales is quintessential British countryside with a hardy edge – sculpted by ancient glaciers and jam-packed with fossils.

To explore it all, it’s best to stay on the move: hill hiking, gorge climbing, valley cycling and village touring. Maybe you’ll ride a steam train over Ribblehead Viaduct’s towering arches, or trot through the wild moors on horseback? Beneath your feet, there’s a warren of caves and grottoes to discover too – while the Dales’ rich farming heritage makes it a real foodie hotspot.

Whatever your adventure, here’s how to delve deeper into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Things to do in the Yorkshire Dales

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Conquer the three hills of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside – a 24-mile (38.6km) circular challenge for walkers.

Find out more about the routes

Photo by: VisitBritain/MattCant

Location: Malham Cove

People walking on the limestone pavement above the cliffs
Yorkshire Three Peaks

Marvel at this majestic megalith of Victorian engineering in an iconic location in the middle of the Three Peaks.

Find out more about Ribblehead Viaduct

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

A Female Hiker On The Way To Whernside Peak, Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire Tree Peaks Challenge.
Ribblehead Viaduct

Discover the story behind the extraordinary Yorkshire Dales and the people who have shaped the landscape for centuries.

Discover more about the Dales Countryside Museum

Photo by: Dales Countryside Museum

Dales Countryside Museum
Dales Countryside Museum

Stellar events include expert-led astronomy and astrophotography sessions, plus after-dark activities galore.

What’s on at the Dark Skies Festival

Photo by: Polly A Baldwin

Child stargazing through telescope
Dark Skies Festival, Yorkshire Dales

This vibrant market town stands at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Explore a castle, cobbled streets and riverside walks.

Discover more about the original Richmond

Photo by: Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle
Richmond

From easy rambles to long-distance hikes, the Yorkshire Dales is blessed with spectacular walking routes.

More about walking in Malham

Photo by: VisitBritain/MattCant

Location: Malham Cove

People walking on the limestone pavement above the cliffs
Malham

Climb the side of this spectacular Yorkshire waterfall, deep in the Scaleber Wood Nature Reserve.

Discover Scaleber Force Waterfall

Photo by: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Scaleber Force
Scaleber Force Waterfall

A favourite local destination for hiking, this Yorkshire landscape is a joy to explore year-round.

Explore Ilkley Moor

Photo by: VisitBritain/Scott Salt

A rock climber considering a descent
Ilkley Moor

This incredibly well-preserved and impressively imposing Cistercian monastery, founded around 1132, went on to become one of the richest monasteries of its time.

Discover more about Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

Photo by: National Trust Images/Chris Lac

A young couple walking through the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

A one-of-a-kind labyrinth of hidden tunnels, incredible statues, secret chambers and bizarre sights.

Plan your trip to The Forbidden Corner

Photo by: Guy Carpenter

Statues of Roman Soldiers flanking an entrance in the Forbidden Corner labyrinth attraction in Yorkshire
The Forbidden Corner

Swaledale Festival

24th May - 7th June 2025

Think live music, craft workshops, film screenings and guided walks – all in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

What’s on at Swaledale Festival

Photo by: "Gray Walker

Antonio Forcione Quartet on stage at St. Andrews Church in Grinton
Swaledale Festival

Welcome to one of Britain’s biggest underground caves, a cavern so huge that it could fit a cathedral inside.

Visit Gaping Gill

Photo by: Shutterstock / mountaintreks

Location: Yorkshire

A waterfall falling through Gaping Gill in Yorkshire
Gaping Gill

This circular hiking route combines waterfall views, abundant wildlife and ancient woodland.

Hike the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Yorkshire

30.10.21 Kingsdale, North Yorkshire, UK. Woman wearing purple jacket and carrying a blue rucksack walking towards the Ingleton waterfall trail in nort
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Explore independent shops and Victorian architecture, and follow the River Nidd to spot otters and kingfishers.

Explore Pateley Bridge

Photo by: Getty Images/Image Source

Location: Yorkshire

Children buying sweets from traditional sweet shop
Pateley Bridge

Step into a 450 million-year-old underground world, featuring vast caverns, eerie stalagmites and narrow tunnels.

Tour Ingleborough Cave

Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Location: Yorkshire

A waterfall cascade inside ingleborough cave in yorkshire, england
Ingleborough Cave

Think rolling hills, vibrant moorlands and sheep-grazed meadows: a haven for hiking, cycling and photography.

Check out Nidderdale

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Yorkshire

A child walking in the heather covered moors.
Nidderdale

From locally made honey to traditional toys and Yorkshire-inspired artworks: you’ll find it all right here.

Explore Settle

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Yorkshire

The small country town of Settle on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, UK
Settle

Conquer the three hills of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside – a 24-mile (38.6km) circular challenge for walkers.

Find out more about the routes

Photo by: VisitBritain/MattCant

Location: Malham Cove

People walking on the limestone pavement above the cliffs
Yorkshire Three Peaks

Marvel at this majestic megalith of Victorian engineering in an iconic location in the middle of the Three Peaks.

Find out more about Ribblehead Viaduct

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

A Female Hiker On The Way To Whernside Peak, Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire Tree Peaks Challenge.
Ribblehead Viaduct

Discover the story behind the extraordinary Yorkshire Dales and the people who have shaped the landscape for centuries.

Discover more about the Dales Countryside Museum

Photo by: Dales Countryside Museum

Dales Countryside Museum
Dales Countryside Museum

Stellar events include expert-led astronomy and astrophotography sessions, plus after-dark activities galore.

What’s on at the Dark Skies Festival

Photo by: Polly A Baldwin

Child stargazing through telescope
Dark Skies Festival, Yorkshire Dales

This vibrant market town stands at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Explore a castle, cobbled streets and riverside walks.

Discover more about the original Richmond

Photo by: Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle
Richmond

From easy rambles to long-distance hikes, the Yorkshire Dales is blessed with spectacular walking routes.

More about walking in Malham

Photo by: VisitBritain/MattCant

Location: Malham Cove

People walking on the limestone pavement above the cliffs
Malham

Climb the side of this spectacular Yorkshire waterfall, deep in the Scaleber Wood Nature Reserve.

Discover Scaleber Force Waterfall

Photo by: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Scaleber Force
Scaleber Force Waterfall

A favourite local destination for hiking, this Yorkshire landscape is a joy to explore year-round.

Explore Ilkley Moor

Photo by: VisitBritain/Scott Salt

A rock climber considering a descent
Ilkley Moor

This incredibly well-preserved and impressively imposing Cistercian monastery, founded around 1132, went on to become one of the richest monasteries of its time.

Discover more about Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

Photo by: National Trust Images/Chris Lac

A young couple walking through the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey

A one-of-a-kind labyrinth of hidden tunnels, incredible statues, secret chambers and bizarre sights.

Plan your trip to The Forbidden Corner

Photo by: Guy Carpenter

Statues of Roman Soldiers flanking an entrance in the Forbidden Corner labyrinth attraction in Yorkshire
The Forbidden Corner

Swaledale Festival

24th May - 7th June 2025

Think live music, craft workshops, film screenings and guided walks – all in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

What’s on at Swaledale Festival

Photo by: "Gray Walker

Antonio Forcione Quartet on stage at St. Andrews Church in Grinton
Swaledale Festival

Welcome to one of Britain’s biggest underground caves, a cavern so huge that it could fit a cathedral inside.

Visit Gaping Gill

Photo by: Shutterstock / mountaintreks

Location: Yorkshire

A waterfall falling through Gaping Gill in Yorkshire
Gaping Gill

This circular hiking route combines waterfall views, abundant wildlife and ancient woodland.

Hike the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Yorkshire

30.10.21 Kingsdale, North Yorkshire, UK. Woman wearing purple jacket and carrying a blue rucksack walking towards the Ingleton waterfall trail in nort
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Explore independent shops and Victorian architecture, and follow the River Nidd to spot otters and kingfishers.

Explore Pateley Bridge

Photo by: Getty Images/Image Source

Location: Yorkshire

Children buying sweets from traditional sweet shop
Pateley Bridge

Step into a 450 million-year-old underground world, featuring vast caverns, eerie stalagmites and narrow tunnels.

Tour Ingleborough Cave

Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Location: Yorkshire

A waterfall cascade inside ingleborough cave in yorkshire, england
Ingleborough Cave

Think rolling hills, vibrant moorlands and sheep-grazed meadows: a haven for hiking, cycling and photography.

Check out Nidderdale

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Yorkshire

A child walking in the heather covered moors.
Nidderdale

From locally made honey to traditional toys and Yorkshire-inspired artworks: you’ll find it all right here.

Explore Settle

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Yorkshire

The small country town of Settle on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, UK
Settle

Places to stay in the Yorkshire Dales

Heavenly huts

Who needs four walls? Wake up to beautiful countryside when you stay in a campsite, log cabin, yurt or shepherd’s hut.

Dreamy cottages

Charming stone cottages dot the Dales – from traditional retreats with open fires, to seriously swish holiday rentals.

Intriguing inns

For a warm welcome, head to the pub. Many inns offer hotel-quality rooms, as well as hearty dinners and rich history.

Explore nearby

A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton

The Victorian formal gardens with statues and low hedges in front of Harewood House

Historical hot property – evident in its castles, citadels and 2,000-year-old Hadrian’s Wall.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Chris Ceasar

View from a distance of a castle on hill near a beach

Small and mighty York is the medieval walled city that really packs a punch.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Woman wearing trench coat and pink hat walking

From the tip of England’s tallest peak to the nation’s deepest lake, this national park is stacked with super-sized scenery.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Ryan Lomas

Location: Lake District, England

Rear view of young woman on a hillside with two dogs

Dynamic cities, fascinating history and rolling green countryside — explore it all on a five day trip around Yorkshire.

Photo by: Getty Images/Solstock

Location: York, England

Two young women sat on a bench outside a coffee shop with takeaway coffees

Getting to the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales spans the counties of North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, in northern England. Leeds Bradford Airport is just 25 minutes away by car, while Manchester Airport is one hour and 15 minutes. Both are international hubs, reached by direct flights from all over the world. 

The local train links are excellent, too. The service from London Kings Cross to Leeds takes two hours, while Edinburgh to Leeds is a three-hour journey. Northern provides easy connections between York, Leeds and various smaller stations throughout the Dales. 

Getting around

While public transport is the carbon-conscious choice, it’s also convenient and easy to access in the Dales – with extra bus and train services running in the peak summer season. Bikes can be rented throughout the national park, including e-bikes to make light work of those uphill jaunts.

By electric car

If you’re renting a car, it makes sense to go electric, especially as all 10 of the Yorkshire Dales public car parks offer EV charging points.

By bus

With the DalesBus, it’s easy to reach hiking trails and attractions: the routes extend throughout the park, and link up with local train stations.

By train

The Leeds–Settle–Carlisle line runs right through the Dales, and is packed with magnificent sights – including the famous Ribblehead Viaduct.

Want to know more?

To discover more top tips and places to stay, head to the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s website.