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 £490 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
26th March to 21st October

From £725 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 £725
DHW2 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 7 nights, 6 days walking Demanding £840
DHW3 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate / Demanding £955
DHW4 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1070
DHW5 From Saltaire/Shipley to Appleby 10 nights, 9 days walking Moderate £1185
"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

“The walk was spectacular in places if also a bit more strenuous than expected. We have thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip so thank you for planning and organising the whole thing for us.”
Mr Yates, UK
“We were blessed with great weather, guide book excellent, high standard of B&B's, easy to find and all in all, fabulous week. Too difficult to pick the best bits .. all different and all superb!!”
Mr Needham, UK
“Very well organised, thank you, right down to the weather! We loved the curlews and lapwings over Ilkley Moor and Addingham High Moor; doing the three peaks over 24 hours was a satisfying challenge; and the traverse of the Howgills was magical. It was all good.”
Mr Killingley, 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
“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
“Great walk, lovely weather, excellent accommodation and organisation. Great walk and organisation.”
Mrs West, 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
“It went very smoothly and all the arrangements worked well.”
Mr Stone, UK
“Overall, very good standard of accommodation and good walking instructions. Maps and walking books excellent. Overall, holiday very good indeed.”
Mrs Matts, UK
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