Here you will find a number of walks that start and end at National Park Authority car parks. Perfect if you are coming out for the day and looking for suggested walks to do.
Aysgarth Falls
Walk – Aysgarth woods and waterfalls
A short walk through the woods and returning by the spectacular Aysgarth Falls.
- Distance: 2.5km (1.5m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Wensleydale
Walk – Aysgarth Falls – a miles without stiles walk
The first 500m of this 1.5km footpath runs through Freeholders’ Wood and has great views of the Middle Falls. The surface here is compact aggregate and the width of the footpath is at least 100cm. All gates are fully accesible and there are benches along the route.
From here, a flight of seventy steps provide access to the Lower Falls. Alternatively, the footpath continues for a further 1km along an unsurfaced grass route.
A further 600m route can be followed from the start along an
unsurfaced track through the woodland.
- Distance: 3km (2m)
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Wensleydale
Buckden
Walk – Buckden – a miles without stiles walk
Follow the steep footpath out of the car park. Cross the road and carry on down the unsurfaced track to reach Dubbs Lane. From here follow the road across the river. The two routes start on either side of the road once over the bridge.
Walking south, this 1km level footpath runs alongside the River Wharfe. The surface is constructed of a mixture of stone flags, aggregate and grass with a general width of 1m. Walking north, the footpath is a mixture of grass and compact aggregate.
Whilst walking beside the River Wharfe, look out for kingfisher, oystercatcher, dipper and sand martin.
- Distance: 1.3 km (0.8m)
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Wharfedale
A walk linking two lovely villages – Buckden and Starbotton, going along the valley side and back along the river.
- Distance: 8km (5m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Wharfedale
Walk – Buckden, Cray and Hubberholme
A longer walk taking in a lovely high traverse in upper Wharfedale.
- Distance: 7km (4m)
- Features: High level route (visits fellsides)
- Location: Langstrothdale; Wharfedale
Grassington
Walk – Grassington – a miles without stiles walk
An easy access walk by the River Wharfe close to the lovely village of Grassington.
A gate at the lower end of the car park gives access to a walled lane. The route here is well-surfaced with some gradients reaching a 1:7. Follow the river to the right along an unsurfaced route. From here, turn right onto the main road into Grassington where the first 50m are a 1:6 gradient.
Take a moment to look at Linton Falls when by the river. The falls mark the line of the North Craven Fault.
- Distance: 1.7km (1m)
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Wharfedale
A walk through the meadows above the Wharfedale town of Grassington.
- Distance: 5.5km (3.5m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Wharfedale
A classic walk along the River Wharfe, taking in Linton Falls, Gaistrills Strid and the lovely Grass Woods.
- Distance: 7.5km (4.5m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Wharfedale
A short circular walk between Grassington and a lovely Dales village, Hebden.
- Distance: 6.5km (4m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Wharfedale
This audio trail will take you on a voyage of discovery through 10,000 years of history around Grassington. The walk takes you through farmland which is being carefully managed for its historic features and wildlife.
You will pass through Lea Green Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is a designated for its species rich limestone grassland flora and limestone pavement. The farmer is sensitively managing this field to allow the limestone-loving wild flowers and grasses to flower and set seed during the summer months.
Bastow Wood is also a SSSI managed to provide a fine balance between allowing natural regeneration of tree species to occur and maintaining the open grassland areas .
We always recommend that you bring an Ordnance Survey map if you are going for a walk in the National Park. Grassington is covered by Explorer OL2. You will need footwear suitable for rough, muddy ground and waterproofs are also a good idea depending on the weather. You can download the audio here.
- Distance: 3-5 Miles
- Location: Wharfedale
Hawes
Walk – Hawes – a miles without stiles walk
Starting at the car park, follow the road through Hawes, crossing Gayle Beck. After approximately 60m from the bridge, turn left up the cobbled footpath signposted to Gayle. The next 70m of this route are cobbled with a gradient of 1:7. After this point, the footpath levels out with some slight gradients up to 1:10. Most of the length is constructed of stone flags at a width of 100cm. There is a rest area halfway along the route.
- Distance: 1.5km (1m)
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Wensleydale
A short walk visiting the nearby village of Sedbusk, and the hamlet of Hardraw where you can visit the spectacular Hardraw Force.
- Distance: 5.5km (3.5m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Wensleydale
Walk – Hawes and Aysgill Force
This walk takes you past the home of Wensleydale cheese, through the tiny streets of Gayle and up to the lovely waterfall of Aysgill Force.
- Distance: 6.5km (4m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Wensleydale
Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Linear walk – Horton to Settle
Use the Settle – Carlisle railway to view the expanse of Ribblesdale before walking the seven miles back to Settle. Walk through riverside pastures before ascending to higher limestone pastures with great views beyond the National Park boundary towards the Forest of Bowland. For public transport details see Traveline Yorkshire.
- Distance: 10.9km (6.8m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys); High level route (visits fellsides)
- Location: Ribblesdale
Kettlewell
Walk – Buckden, Cray and Hubberholme
A longer walk taking in a lovely high traverse in upper Wharfedale.
- Distance: 7km (4m)
- Features: High level route (visits fellsides)
- Location: Langstrothdale; Wharfedale
Malham
Walk – Malham Cove – a miles without stiles walk
Starting at the National Park Centre, follow the road through the village. At the phone box, go through the gate to follow the unsurfaced woodland trail alongside the stream then continue on the road to just beyond Town Head Barn where the gradient reaches 1 in 6.
The footpath to the cove is a well-surfaced track of compact stone with a general width of at least 150cm. The first 25m of the route has a gradient of 1 in 6. From here, the footpath levels out and does not exceed a 1 in 8.
- Distance: 2km (1.3m)
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Malhamdale
Walk – Gordale Scar – a miles without stiles walk
An easy access route into the towering cliffs of Gordale Scar. This 600m footpath runs from Gordale Bridge to Gordale Scar. The route is well surfaced and level and has a general width of 100cm. Whilst walking the route, look out for peregrines and dippers.
- Distance: 1.2km (0.8m)
- Features: Accessible route
- Location: Malhamdale
A classic Dales walk taking in Janet’s Foss and the majestic Malham Cove. A short side trip can be made to include a visit to Gordale Scar.
- Distance: 6.3km (3.9m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Malhamdale
Stainforth
Walk – Stainforth and Catrigg Force
One of the Dales’ lesser known waterfalls is visited on this lovely short circular walk.
- Distance: 3km (2m)
- Features: Low level route (mostly valleys)
- Location: Ribblesdale
An audio trail from the village of Stainforth taking in Stainforth Foss, Langcliffe and the Hoffmann Kiln.
This audio trail begins from the car park in the village of Stainforth. There are toilets and a picnic area at the start. The walk takes you alongside the River Ribble taking in the waterfall of Stainforth Foss, to reach the delightful village of Langcliffe.
The highlight of the return journey is a visit to the stunning Hoffman Kiln at Langcliffe. This is a stunning reminder of the industrial past of this part of Ribblesdale. You can download the audio here
- Distance: 3-5 Miles
- Location: Ribblesdale