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:
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
“Overall the standard of accommodation was good. Sherpa service excellent and also taxis very efficient”Ms Cawtheray, UK
“Everything was well organised and worked well - luggage transfers, taxi to and from trail and accommodation.”Mr Lee, UK
“The Dales Way is beautiful, particularly Wharfedale.”Dr Bristow, UK
“A great walk and good accommodation. Accommodation was excellent.”Mr Jones, UK
“The scenery was great. The organisation was excellent. We are very pleased to have completed the walk. But it was hard going on some days! Everything went very smoothly.”Mrs Rosser, 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
“We were lucky with the weather, but the stunning scenery and views were completely unexpected, despite myself being a Yorkshire lass.”Ms Louden, UK
“It was amazing -one of the best holidays we have taken! We enjoyed the walking, going through endless stiles, seeing hundreds of sheep and cows, walking along beautiful rivers, crossing over historic bridges, crossing under viaducts, and stopping in small towns to eat and sleep. The directions and our luggage delivery were perfect. We'll definitely use Contours again and recommend you to our American friends. Most of our friends had not heard of this type of experience and thought it sounded fun. Thanks for arranging an unforgettable vacation!”Ms Lewellen, USA
“Fine weather and beautiful scenery.”Mr Mitchell, UK
