Tracks and Trails

Walking in Yorkshire

West Dales

Here the three counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria meet at the western part of the Yorkshire Dales. The dales include Mallerstang, Garsdale, Dentdale and The Lune Valley. These dales are some of most remote areas of the Yorkshire Dales with little or no settlements/villages and higher mountains. This area of dales goes from the Pennine Range to the east to the smooth ripples of The Howgill Fells in the west. The character of the dale is a mix of small rural market towns such as Dentdale and Kirkby Lonsdale, with a natural and scenery mountain landscape containing a vast and diverse wildlife; as well as good paths for the walker in which to explore and walk in.

Dentdale is most eastern of the Yorkshire Dales which stretches 14 miles from the windswept moors below Whernside to the confluence of the Rivers Dee and Rawthey near Sedbergh. The area contains plenty of dry stone walls and field barns typical of the Dales, but also many beautiful trees and hedgerows, which make the valley green and lush for the walker to explore and enjoy. Also, along the valley’s length are scattered with dozens of farms that have done much to shape this ancient landscape over last 2000 years.

Gardale is located in the north-west corner of the Yorkshire Dales. The dale is a wild and remote area of the Yorkshire Dales. For the walker, it is perfect if you want to get away from the popular areas such as the Three Peaks. Popular walks for the walker in this dale include Wild Boar Fell and Baugh Fell, and Mallerstang Edge. These walks are for those who like a challenge because they are all above 1000 meters high.

The Lune valley is also a popular area for the walker and provides some magnificent countryside in which to explore. A popular walk in the area is the Lune Valley Ramble, which runs for 16 miles on the River Lune from Lancaster to Kirkby Lonsdale.

Areas in West Dales

Dent : Clapham : Kettlewell : Settle

Dent

On the western edge of Dales, Dent is a scenic large village/small town. Today, Dent is sheltered and secluded, with feel of the past with its cobbled main streets. In Dent you will find more of Britain's best real ale, with the famous Dent bitter and local brewery. There is plenty of arts and craft shops and a rich heritage of hand knitting and an array of shops and heritage centres to keep you busy for hours.
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Clapham

Clapham located on western side of the Dales, Clapham is a small village just to the south of Ingleborough. The history of Clapham has been largely dominated by the fortunes of the Farrer family. It was Oliver Farrer who bought the shooting rights and created an estate stretching to the head of Ribblesdale. They also redesigned the whole of the north end of the village and dammed Clapham Beck to created a lake. Lying behind houses on the western side of the village is the Dales Publishing Company since 1939. They have published the ‘Dalesman,’ a monthly magazine of Dales life and industry since 1948.
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Kettlewell

Kettlewell village is a small hamlet village situated in the Upper Wharfedale valley. The hills surrounding Wharfedale can be effectively split into two unique regions. The area north of Kettlewell is typically vast rolling moorland with summits lying at 600 - 700m. South of Kettlewell, the area is more 'friendly' with lower, intricate, limestone country that has a much higher density of dry stone walls. Walking into the village you arrive at the King's Head, one of three pubs in Kettlwell. The King's Head is a pleasant small pub with a huge inglenook.

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Settle

Settle is a bustling market town that stands on the north-western edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Settle is at its most liveliest and colourful on Tuesdays, when the weekly market takes place attracting traders from far and wide. The market place is surrounded by local businesses - mostly family-owned, with some offering items for sale unique to the Settle area. The centre is dominated by the Shambles, a historic 3-storey building with shops on two levels and houses above, and the Town Hall, built on the site of the toll-booth which was pulled down in 1820. Situated within Settle is the railway station serving the community with a regular passenger service. A recommended outing is the return journey from Settle to Appleby on the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway constructed between 1869 and 1876.
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Walking in Yorkshire: An Introduction | Walking in Yorkshire | The Yorkshire Dales | North Dales | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Wensleydale | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Swaledale | South Dales | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Wharfedale | East Dales | Heriot Country | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Nidderdale | West Dales | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Dentdale and the Howgills | Yorkshire Coastline | West and East Yorkshire | Favourite Walks in the Yorkshire Pennines | More favourite walks in the Yorkshire Pennines | North Yorkshire Moors | Favourite Walks in the North Yorkshire Moors | More favourite walks in the North Yorkshire Moors | Hope Cove Walk

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