Dales Way
Explore the Dales Way at your own pace on a full-length self-guided walking holiday, with accommodation, luggage transfer and custom holiday pack included.
Dales Way
https://www.contours.co.uk/dales-way
A self-guided walking holiday through the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Park.
From £400 per person
The Dales Way meanders through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales to the shores of Windermere in the Lake District. On a self-guided holiday along the Dales Way, you’ll enjoy a vast range of beautiful Yorkshire landscapes, including colourful moorland, tranquil riversides, rugged fells and quiet valleys.
The walk explores a range of pretty towns and villages and offers glimpses into the region’s past, including the ruins of Bolton Priory and Barden Tower. The trail then leaves the Yorkshire Dales and heads towards Windermere, passing through rolling farmland framed by the impressive mountains of the Lake District, providing a satisfying end to a remarkable trail.
We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.
From £885 per person
This holiday option takes in all 77 miles of the iconic Dales Way walking trail, showcasing some of the finest scenery the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District have to offer.
Admire the impressive ruins of Bolton Priory, meander through the peaceful Wharfedale Valley and visit many welcoming settlements on this magical walking holiday through two beautiful National Parks.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DW1 | From Ilkley to Bowness-On-Windermere | 6 days walking | £885 | |
| DW2 | From Ilkley to Bowness-On-Windermere | 7 days walking | £1005 | |
| DW3 | From Ilkley to Bowness-On-Windermere | 8 days walking | £1125 | |
| DW4 | From Ilkley to Bowness-On-Windermere | 9 days walking | £1250 |
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DWSB | From Ilkley to Kettlewell | 2 days walking | £400 |
Travel to Ilkley where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Ilkley to Burnsall(L). 13 miles (20.5km) / 988 ft (301 m) ascent
Burnsall(L) to Buckden. 13.5 miles (21.5km) / 1142 ft (348 m) ascent
Buckden to Lea Yeat(L). 17 miles (27.5km) / 1654 ft (504 m) ascent
Lea Yeat(L) to Sedbergh(L). 9 miles (14.5km) / 581 ft (177 m) ascent
Sedbergh(L) to Patton Bridge(L). 12.5 miles (20km) / 1083 ft (330 m) ascent
Patton Bridge(L) to Bowness-On-Windermere. 13.5 miles (21.5km) / 1234 ft (376 m) ascent
Depart from Bowness-On-Windermere after breakfast
This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.
Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Crossing two national parks of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District and enjoying the contrasting scenery of both areas.
Admiring the iconic dry stone walls and enclosed rolling fields of the Yorkshire Dales.
Exploring the wealth of interesting history along the walk, including the romantic ruins of Bolton Priory.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
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“We had a lovely holiday. The weather was excellent and the walk was pure pleasure. I had wondered if the walk would be tedious as it follows a river most of the way but each day was different and stunningly beautiful in a gentle, pastoral way. Really well organized!”Mrs Sutherland, USA
“A great walk and good accommodation. Accommodation was excellent.”Mr Jones, UK
“We both had a fantastic time and would like to thank you for a superb holiday.”Ms Ritchie, UK
“The walk itself was beautiful - accommodation & travel arrangements, by Contours, was excellent. We have already recommended this walk to other people & have recommended Contours to lots of people!”Mrs Swindell, UK
“Very well organised by Contours, thank you.”Mrs Walkland, UK
“I would describe this one as a happy walk - all very informal + easy going at the accommodations + on the trail. Felt relaxed at all times (good weather helped.)”Mr Garlick, UK
“Surprisingly, my first ever visit to the Yorkshire Dales. A lovely, not-too-strenuous walk through rolling hills and along pretty river banks, often staying in characterful pubs with excellent food.”Mr Julyan, UK
“The arrangements worked like clockwork. Before the tour, the website was extremely useful with the Members' area making it easy for all the travellers to pay directly. Having an electronic copy of the Tour pack was an added bonus as everyone had access to the same information. When I called your main line number my calls were answered quickly and my questions and queries were resolved quickly. Our request for single occupancy for the group was understood completely and we were very happy with the arrangements, even when sharing. Very good value for money, especially those travelling as a group.”Mr Fowler, UK
“Yes, we had a great time! We loved the woods beyond Bolton Abbey and all of the riverside walking. I enjoyed the last few miles into Bowness very much.”Mrs Lawrie, UK
