Dales High Way

Dales High Way

A walk through the Yorkshire Dales from the village of Saltaire to the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland.

4 to 10 nights
49-90 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous

From £520 per person

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About the trail

Enjoy a walking holiday along the Dales High Way, following ancient drovers' ways, packhorse tracks and green lanes through the Yorkshire Dales and taking in some of the most beautiful scenery the region has to offer. The trail traverses rolling dales, quiet moors, secluded valleys and mighty peaks, the latter offering breath-taking views over the surrounding countryside.

Not only does this walk showcase the wonderful geology of the Yorkshire Dales, including limestone crags and cascading waterfalls, but it also boasts plenty of interesting history to uncover, with landmarks of note including Neolithic stone carvings, Skipton Castle and the famous Ribblehead Viaduct.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Dales High Way
  • Dales High Way Highlights

About this route

6 to 10 nights
90 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous
2nd January to 24th December

From £765 per person

Dales High Way

This holiday option explores all 90 miles of the Dales High Way, showcasing some of the finest scenery the Yorkshire Dales National Park has to offer.

The rolling hills and mighty fells offer incredible views across the English countryside, while the many wonderful settlements along the way all offer warm welcomes and have plenty of interesting stories to share. This walking trail is a great adventure through the pleasant, green landscapes for which this corner of England is famous.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
DHW1 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 6 nights, 5 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £765
DHW2 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 7 nights, 6 days walking Demanding £885
DHW3 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1005
DHW4 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1130
DHW5 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 10 nights, 9 days walking Moderate £1245
"The Howgills from Dentdale" by Ray Hind (2023) "The Howgills from Dentdale" by Ray Hind (2023)
"Malham Cove" by Ray Hind (2023) "Malham Cove" by Ray Hind (2023)
"Stainforth Force" by Ray Hind (2023) "Stainforth Force" by Ray Hind (2023)
"Pen-y-Ghent from Lower Staniforth" by Robert Evans (2023) "Pen-y-Ghent from Lower Staniforth" by Robert Evans (2023)
"View over Addingham from Addingham High Moor" by Robert Evans (2023) "View over Addingham from Addingham High Moor" by Robert Evans (2023)
"Ingleborough Descent to Chapel-le-Dale" by Robert Evans (2023) "Ingleborough Descent to Chapel-le-Dale" by Robert Evans (2023)
"The Howgills from Ravenstonedale Moor" by Robert Evans (2023) "The Howgills from Ravenstonedale Moor" by Robert Evans (2023)
"Heading up to Ingleborough" by Jay Mirro (2023) "Heading up to Ingleborough" by Jay Mirro (2023)
"Looking back towards Ingleborough" by Jay Mirro (2023) "Looking back towards Ingleborough" by Jay Mirro (2023)
"Stone Wall near Skipton" by Jay Mirro (2023) "Stone Wall near Skipton" by Jay Mirro (2023)
"Near Stainforth" by Jay Mirro (2023) "Near Stainforth" by Jay Mirro (2023)
"Hetton Common" by Blais Brancheau (2022) "Hetton Common" by Blais Brancheau (2022)
"Leaving Sharp Haw" by Blais Brancheau (2022) "Leaving Sharp Haw" by Blais Brancheau (2022)
"Ilkley Crags" by Blais Brancheau (2022) "Ilkley Crags" by Blais Brancheau (2022)
"Ilkley Moor" by Blais Brancheau (2022) "Ilkley Moor" by Blais Brancheau (2022)
"Stockdale Lane" by Blais Brancheau (2022) "Stockdale Lane" by Blais Brancheau (2022)
"Ascending Calders in the Howgills" by Blais Brancheau (2022) "Ascending Calders in the Howgills" by Blais Brancheau (2022)
"Three Peaks, One Walker" by Blais Brancheau (2022) "Three Peaks, One Walker" by Blais Brancheau (2022)
"Crags between Malham and Settle" by Robert Johnson (2022) "Crags between Malham and Settle" by Robert Johnson (2022)
"Peace between Ribblehead and Dent" by Robert Johnson (2022) "Peace between Ribblehead and Dent" by Robert Johnson (2022)
"View from Malham Cove" by Gary Gimbel (2018) "View from Malham Cove" by Gary Gimbel (2018)
"Limestone Pavement" by Gary Gimbel (2017) "Limestone Pavement" by Gary Gimbel (2017)
"Stone Circle on Ilkley Moor" by Gary Gimbel (2017) "Stone Circle on Ilkley Moor" by Gary Gimbel (2017)
"Howgills" by Gary Gimbel (2017) "Howgills" by Gary Gimbel (2017)
"View of Pen-y-Ghent from Ingleborough" by Gary Gimbel (2017) "View of Pen-y-Ghent from Ingleborough" by Gary Gimbel (2017)
"Howgills North" by Gary Gimbel (2017) "Howgills North" by Gary Gimbel (2017)

Customer reviews from the Dales High Way

“Well marked, lots of variety and lovely views.”
Mr McBee, USA
“We had a wonderful time! Challenging but not too taxing, beautiful scenery even in wet days. Our first experience of a self-guided walking holiday definitely won't be the last. I have already recommended Contour to friends. We were impressed by the whole process, from enquiry to booking and during our holiday.”
Mrs McKenna, UK
“Really rewarding route. Lucky to have fine (if cold) weather throughout. Physically challenging at times which added to the feeling of satisfaction on completion.”
Mr Hopper, UK
“This was our seventh long distance walk planned for us by Contours - a very enjoyable and peaceful walk. Thank you! Wonderful countryside, great accommodation, weather very good for September! A good variety of walking - a mixture of gentle sections and more challenging ascents and descents. Looking forward to the eighth next year!”
Dr Roberts, UK
“Thank you very much, as always, a really well organised holiday. The accommodation was all of a very high standard. We look forward to booking our next holiday with you.”
Mr Hunt, UK
“Very well organised and a lovely walk. I enjoyed all the days in their own way, but the 3rd day over Ingleborough was particularly enjoyable.”
Dr Hutt, UK
“The walk involved a route of hillwalking during the day, with occasional descents into the dales, with lodging in the dales at night. The countryside varied from rural to wild to small-town civilization. It was a delightful mix. We are researching and planning our next holiday already.”
Mr Brancheau, USA
“Extremely friendly staff whenever I had to telephone about the holiday.”
Miss Walker, UK
“We enjoyed the contrasting landscapes that we journeyed over, the changing views & the highlights, such as Malham Cove & the many waterfalls. We were pleased to see the absence of litter on the route & in the towns & villages. Luggage transfer by Sherpa worked like clockwork. The taxis also worked well & were flexible. I would rate River House as one of the best B&Bs that I have stayed in.”
Mr Hind, UK
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