Walks in the Yorkshire Dales

Walks by Bus

DalesBus services not only give access to magnificent scenery, they also open up opportunities for walkers to follow linear routes across country from point to point.

The following walks have been organised as guided walks by Dalesbus Ramblers in the past, so you might like to use them for ideas when planning your own walks.

Bus service details are correct for summer 2009, please check for current dates and times of operation. Some walks might not be easily accessible by bus in the winter months.

CLASSIFICATION OF WALKS

EASY Suitable for all, a short and generally level stroll

MODERATE A longer walk with occasional uphill sections

ENERGETIC An extended walk with more uphill climbs and over rougher ground

DALES WAY: KETTLEWELL TO GRASSINGTON

This walk to Grassington uses the ever popular Dales Way.

Start: Kettlewell, Shelter

Finish: Grassington

Distance/Grading: 6 miles / Easy

WEEKDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 72 from Skipton or Grassington to Kettlewell

Return: Bus 72 from Grassington to Skipton

SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 874 from Ilkley (connections from Leeds on bus 870) or Grassington to Kettlewell

Return: Bus 874 from Grassington to Ilkley

HEBDEN GILL

A walk along the River Wharfe forms the prelude to a ramble up Hebden Gill and past the former lead mines, before descending to Grassington.

Start: Burnsall, Village Green

Finish: Grassington

Distance/Grading: 8 miles / Moderate

WEEKDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 74 from Ilkley to Burnsall

Return: Bus 74 from Grassington to Ilkley

SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 874 from Ilkley (connections from Leeds on bus 870) to Burnsall

Return: Bus 874 from Grassington to Ilkley for onward connections.

ADVENTURE WALK – ROGANS SEAT

A brisk walk over the moorland in Upper Swaledale.

Start: Keld

Finish: Gunnerside

Distance/Grading: 7 to 9 miles / Moderate to Strenuous

SUMMER SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 831 from Hawes, with connection from Ribblehead Station on bus 832
Return: Bus 831 to Hawes, with connection to Ribblehead Station on bus 832

ANCIENT TRACKS TO MALHAM

Walk the length of Mastiles Lane to reach the Pennine Way and descend into Malham Village via the Cove path.

Start: Kilnsey

Finish: Malham

Distance/Grading: 9 miles / Moderate

SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 874 from Ilkley (connections from Leeds on bus 870) to Kilnsey

Return: Bus 883 to Skipton and Ilkley for onward connections.

WALK AND VISIT – WHITE SCAR CAVES AND INGLETON WATERFALLS

Take the bus to visit the White Scar Show Caves (admission charge) then enjoy a walk around the Ingleton area.

Start: White Scar Caves

Finish: Ingleton

Distance/Grading: 5 miles / Easy to Moderate

SUMMER SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 832 from Ribblehead Station (Connections on train from Leeds)

Return: Bus 832 to Ribblehead for train connections.

WONDERFUL WHARFEDALE – ON HIGH ABOVE KETTLEWELL

After a steep climb, see Upper Wharfedale and beyond from on high.

Start: Starbotton

Finish: Kettlewell

Distance/Grading: 6 miles / Moderate

SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 874 from Ilkley (connections from Leeds on bus 870) to Starbotton

Return: Bus 874 to Grassington and Ilkley for onward connections.

SPECTACULAR SWALEDALE – GREAT SHUNNER FELL

A two-dale traverse linking Wensleydale and Swaledale via the Pennine Way.

Start: Thwaite

Finish: Hawes

Distance/Grading: 10 miles / Moderate to Strenuous

SUMMER SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS

Outward: Bus 831 from Hawes, with connection from Ribblehead Station on bus 832
Return: Bus 831 to Hawes, with connection to Ribblehead Station on bus 832

A NIDDERDALE JOURNEY
A very interesting walk across from Grassington on some little used tracks to arrive at How Stean Gorge, one of Nidderdale’s most popular attractions.
Start: Grassington, National Park Centre
Finish: How Stean
Distance/Grading: 12 miles / Moderate to Energetic
SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS:

Outward: Bus 874 from Ilkley (bus 870 connects from Wakefield and Leeds) or bus 872 from Skipton to Grassington
Return: Bus 825 to Pateley Bridge and Harrogate (bus 820 connects from Pateley Bridge to Otley and Leeds)

EMBSAY TO BOLTON ABBEY via Halton East and Strid Cottage
A pleasant walk on footpaths or tracks with one moderate climb.
Start: Embsay
Finish: Bolton Abbey
Distance/Grading: 6.5 miles / Moderate
SUNDAY BUS CONNECTIONS:

Outward: Bus 884 from Skipton (bus 66A connects from Keighley)
Return: Bus 884 to Skipton (bus 66A connects to Keighley)

Malham to Grassington

This linear walk covers some of the outstanding limestone scenery between these two popular Dales villages.

Start: MALHAM National Park Centre

Finish: GRASSINGTON National Park Centre

Distance/Grading: 9 miles, Moderate

Bus Connections on Summer Sundays:

Outward: From Ilkley/Skipton: Cravenlink service 883 to Malham

Return: To Skipton: Service 872 from Grassington

To Ilkley: Service 800 or 874 from Grassington

(on Saturdays catch service 210 from Skipton to Malham, returning from Grassington on service 72)

A Walk in Monastic Footsteps

This walk traces the monks’ footpaths to Fountains Abbey. (with an option to extend the walk to finish at Ripon).

Start: PATELEY BRIDGE

Finish: FOUNTAINS ABBEY

Distance/Grading: 10.5 / 13 miles, Moderate

Bus Connections on Summer Sundays:

Outward:     From Harrogate: Nidderdale Rambler (service 825) to Pateley Bridge

        From Leeds: Eastern Dalesman (service 820) to Pateley Bridge

Return:       To Leeds: From Ripon or Fountains Abbey on Eastern Dalesman (service 820)

To Harrogate/Leeds: service 139 to Ripon, then change to service 36 to Harrogate/Leeds

Dale Edge

A linear walk at the head of Nidderdale, offering extensive moorland views as well as the famous Scar House Reservoir.

Start: LOFTHOUSE

Finish: MIDDLESMOOR

Distance/Grading: 9 miles, Moderate,

Bus Connections on Summer Sundays:

Outward: From Harrogate: Nidderdale Rambler (service 825) to Lofthouse.

From Leeds: Eastern Dalesman (service 820) to Pateley Bridge then change to Nidderdale Rambler (service 825) to Lofthouse

Return: To Harrogate: Dep. Middlesmoor using Nidderdale Rambler (service 825)

To Leeds: Dep. Middlesmoor using Rambler (service 825) to Pateley Bridge, then change to Eastern Dalesman (service 820)

Rylstone to Grassington

A linear walk, which covers part of Barden Fell. Superb scenery and moorland tracks.

Start: RYLSTONE

Finish: GRASSINGTON

Distance/Grading: 9 miles, Moderate

Bus Connections on Sundays:

Outward: From Skipton: Service 872 to Rylstone

Return: Bus service 872 from Grassington National Park Centre

(on weekdays use service 72 from Skipton)

Ripon Rowel Challenge Walk

The “Rowel Walk” is a long distance circular footpath of some fifty miles around the lovely countryside in the vicinity of the ancient City of Ripon.

The walker is guided through pretty villages, with splendid rural pubs, sites of special and historical significance, beautiful wooded valleys, rivers, lakes and streams.

Frequent buses run to Ripon from Leeds and Harrogate on service 36, other routes run from York, Boroughbridge, Thirsk and Leyburn.

Stage 1: Ripon to Whitcliffe Lane

15 miles, Energetic

Start and Finish in Ripon City Centre

Stage 2: Kirkby Malzeard to Whitcliffe Lane

15 miles, Energetic

Start: Ripon Bus Station (catch bus 138 from Ripon Bus Station to Kirkby Malzeard)

Finish: Ripon

Stage 3: Kirkby Malzeard to Masham

13 miles, Energetic

Start: Ripon Bus Station (catch bus 138 to Kirkby Malzeard)

Finish: Masham (catch bus 159 back to Ripon)

Stage 4: Masham to Ripon

15 miles, Energetic

Start: Ripon Bus Station (catch bus 159 to Masham on weekdays, service 820 on Summer Sundays)

Finish: Ripon

This webpage is part of the Dalesbus Website,

provided by the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group

All information is provided in good faith, but we cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies. Please check details before travelling. This site also contains a number of external links the inclusion of which does not signify any endorsement. The YDPTUG is not responsible for the contents of such sites, or any links contained within them.