By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies (needed to provide our website’s features) and our Terms of Use.
By: Andrew Forrest - December 2024
The Yorkshire Dales is a haven for walkers, offering a stunning variety of landscapes, from lush green valleys to dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden waterfalls, and historic villages. We've compiled a list of handy walking guides to help you navigate and enjoy this beautiful region.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy products or services via these links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
There are many walking books incorporating the Yorkshire Dales and I probably have around 50 of them. I have collected these over many years and some of my favourites are now out of print. So, I have been through some of the newer books that are still available and have come up with the selection below. We have some of these walks in our walks section of this website, so don't forget to check those out as you can see a video of the whole walk there.
These books below cater to all abilities and preferences, whether you're a seasoned hiker or a family looking for gentle strolls. Each guide offers detailed routes, practical advice, and fascinating insights into the region's rich heritage. Designed for leisurely walkers, dog walkers, families, and serious hikers, these books are more than just guides - they are your key to unforgettable experiences. So, lace up your boots, and with these books in hand, you can explore the Yorkshire Dales with reassurance and confidence.
The Yorkshire Dales Pathfinder Walking Guide is a comprehensive resource featuring 28 circular walks that span the diverse landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Each route ranges from 4 to 11 miles, catering to walkers of varying abilities and preferences.
 |
 |
The guide provides detailed descriptions, Ordnance Survey maps, GPS waypoints, and notes on key features, ensuring that walkers can navigate with confidence and fully appreciate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area.
Authored by seasoned walker Terry Marsh, the guide covers a wide array of terrains and landmarks. Walkers can explore the heights of Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent, two of Yorkshire's famed Three Peaks, traverse the serene banks of the River Wharfe, or visit historical sites like Bolton Abbey and the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Each walk is accompanied by insights into local history, geology, and ecology, enriching the walking experience beyond mere navigation. The guide also highlights the local stone buildings, linking them to the geological features of the landscape, thus blending the natural and built environments.
The guide's user-friendly format includes practical information such as parking details, recommended refreshment stops, and points of interest along the way. This makes it an invaluable companion for both planning and executing walks in the Dales, whether you're seeking a leisurely stroll through picturesque villages or a more challenging hike across rugged moorland. The inclusion of high-quality photographs further inspires exploration and appreciation of this remarkable region.
The only slight downside is the size, you need reasonably large pockets to carry it.
This comprehensive guidebook presents 43 circular day walks across the northern and eastern regions of the Yorkshire Dales, encompassing areas such as the Howgills, Mallerstang, Swaledale, Wensleydale, Coverdale, and Nidderdale. Each route varies from 5 to 17 kilometres (3 to 11 miles), catering to walkers of all abilities. The walks are designed to be completed within 2 to 5 hours, making them suitable for leisurely outings and more strenuous adventures.
|
|
 |
|
The guide provides detailed step-by-step route descriptions, accompanied by clear 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for each walk, ensuring ease of navigation. Additionally, it offers insights into local points of interest, including historical landmarks, geological features, and notable flora and fauna, enriching the walking experience. Practical information on amenities, refreshments, and parking is also included, aiding in comprehensive trip planning.
Authored by experienced walkers Dennis and Jan Kelsall, the guide reflects their deep knowledge and passion for the Yorkshire Dales. Their expertise ensures that each route is not only accurately described but also engaging, providing walkers with a meaningful connection to the landscape. Whether exploring the dramatic vistas of the Howgills, the serene beauty of Wensleydale, or the rugged terrain of Mallerstang, this guide serves as an invaluable companion for discovering the diverse charm of the Yorkshire Dales.
The book is part of a 2-volume set covering the whole of the Yorkshire Dales. The second part is the next book in this list. The only slight downside is the size, again you need reasonably large pockets to carry it. Also, whilst mapping is included, it is 1:50,000. I prefer the extra detail that a 1:25,000 map gives, but I guess using that, the maps in the book would have to be twice the size and may not fit on the pages. That is why I always take the 1:25,000 map of the area around with me as well.
This comprehensive guidebook presents 43 circular walks in the southern and western regions of the Yorkshire Dales, encompassing areas such as Wharfedale, Littondale, Malhamdale, Dentdale, and Ribblesdale and is the companion to the above book.
|
|
|
|
These great walking routes range from 6 to 21 kilometres (4 to 13 miles), catering to walkers of varying abilities and preferences. Each walk is designed to be completed within 2 to 5 hours, making the guide suitable for both leisurely outings and more challenging adventures.
Authored by experienced walkers Dennis and Jan Kelsall, the guide provides detailed route descriptions accompanied by 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for each walk, ensuring clarity and ease of navigation. Practical information on parking, refreshments, and local points of interest is included, enhancing the overall walking experience. The book also delves into the region's rich geology, history, plant life, and wildlife, offering readers a deeper understanding of the landscapes they explore.
The walks vary from short walks through longer 13 mile walks, the book also includes the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, a 24 mile route that summits Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, providing a rewarding endeavour for seasoned walkers. For anyone wanting to try the Yorkshire Three Peaks walk, we have a detailed description, OS map, numerous photographs and a video of the whole route, which shows the walk in full.
This guidebook presents 40 carefully selected moderate walks that traverse the diverse landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. Each route is designed to showcase the region's natural beauty, from rolling moorlands and dramatic caves to cascading waterfalls and serene farmlands. The walks cover various areas, including Wharfedale, Malhamdale, Nidderdale, Ribblesdale, Wensleydale, Swaledale, and Dentdale, offering walkers a comprehensive exploration of the Dales.
|
|
The guide emphasizes accessibility, with each walk accompanied by clear directions, maps, and practical information to assist walkers of varying experience levels. Many routes incorporate sections of established long-distance trails such as the Pennine Way and the Dales Way, providing opportunities to experience parts of these renowned paths. The inclusion of historical sites, ancient stone walls, and timeless villages along the routes enriches the walking experience, offering insights into the region's cultural heritage. Additionally, the guide highlights historical buildings made from local stone, linking them to the region's geology and blending the natural and built environments.
Alastair Ross's expertise and familiarity with the Yorkshire Dales are evident throughout the guide. His selection of walks reflects a deep appreciation for the area's unique landscapes and history. The guide's user-friendly layout make it a convenient companion for walkers seeking to explore the Dales' picturesque scenery and discover its hidden gems.
This comprehensive guidebook details the 79-mile (128km) Dales Way, a picturesque long-distance footpath linking Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. Renowned for its gentle terrain, the Dales Way is an excellent introduction to multi-day walking, suitable for individuals of varying fitness levels.
|
|
|
|
The route traverses two of England's most celebrated national parks - the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park and offers walkers a diverse array of landscapes, from serene riversides to rolling hills and quaint villages.
Authored by experienced walker and writer Terry Marsh, the guide divides the journey into six manageable stages, each ranging from 7 to 19 miles (11 to 31km). Detailed step-by-step route descriptions are complemented by maps, ensuring clarity and ease of navigation. Additionally, the book includes a separate map booklet containing 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, providing walkers with a comprehensive map of the route. Practical information on accommodation, facilities, and public transport along the route is meticulously compiled, aiding in thorough trip planning.
Beyond navigation, the guide enriches the walking experience by offering insights into the region's geology, history, flora, and fauna. Points of interest such as Bolton Abbey, Dent Village, and the Lakeland fells are highlighted, allowing walkers to appreciate the cultural and natural heritage of the areas traversed. Whether undertaken as a continuous journey or in sections, this guide serves as an invaluable companion for anyone seeking to explore the tranquil beauty of the Dales Way.
The book is part of the well-loved '50 Walks' series, this guide is perfect for walkers looking for variety in the Yorkshire Dales. With routes ranging in length and difficulty, it caters to everyone, from casual family walkers to seasoned hikers. Each walk is presented with clear maps, step-by-step directions, and practical information about local points of interest, including historical landmarks and natural features.
|
|
The guide divides the Yorkshire Dales into sections, such as Wharfedale, Swaledale, and Wensleydale, helping walkers explore the unique character of each area. Highlights include tranquil riverside trails, breathtaking viewpoints, and the dramatic limestone formations the region is famous for. The clear layout and user-friendly design make this book easy to use, whether you're planning a short stroll or a full day's hike.
With its wide range of routes, this guide ensures walkers of all abilities can enjoy the beauty of the Dales. It's an ideal resource for those who want to discover both well-trodden paths and hidden gems, offering a comprehensive introduction to this stunning region.
The book does lack any digital navigation options and lacks GPS for those more technically minded.
This family-focused guide offers 21 short circular walks, each designed with children in mind. All routes are under five miles and aim to balance manageable distances with engaging activities for young walkers. The trails are scattered throughout the Yorkshire Dales, including popular locations like Malham Cove and Aysgarth Falls and everything from a steam railway to candle workshops.
|
|
In addition, the directions for these short walks are easy to follow and the guide includes sections designed to educate and entertain children, such as wildlife spotting tips and local legends. The walks are enriched with interactive elements, ensuring that kids remain excited and engaged throughout.
Perfect for families, this book turns a day out in the Dales into an adventure. It helps parents introduce their children to the joys of walking while ensuring the experience is fun, educational, and rewarding for all. The book is mainly aimed at younger children, so you may be better off with one of the more general walking books if you have teens.
An essential feature that transforms walking guidebooks from simple narratives into invaluable tools is the inclusion of maps, often sourced from Ordnance Survey (OS) or Harvey Maps. Renowned for their precision and detail, these maps are indispensable for planning hiking routes and navigating landscapes with confidence.
Yorkshire Dales maps
OS maps, updated regularly and available in digital and paper formats, offer detailed information on footpaths, bridleways, and public rights of way. However, knowing how to read and use them is crucial. The maps provided in guidebooks are usually small excerpts from larger maps, so I always carry the full map that corresponds to the snippet, ensuring I have comprehensive coverage of the area.
While maps aren't traditional books, I spend a great deal of time studying them to plan new walks and deepen my understanding of the region. Although mapping apps for mobile or GPS devices are convenient and often useful, my love for physical maps remains steadfast. I always bring them along on walks - they'll never run out of battery!
Other maps are around, but I was brought up on Ordnance Survey maps. They have divided the Yorkshire Dales into four main areas: Southern and Western, Northern and Central, Nidderdale and the Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley. Between these, they should cover your walks in the Yorkshire Dales. Sometimes, when your walks cross from one map to another, you may have to take two maps.
The scale of these Ordnance Survey Yorkshire Dales maps is 1:25,000, so it shows enough detail for your walks and includes rights of way, footpaths, contours for the terrain, roads, railways, landmarks, historical sites, tourist information centres, car parks and local amenities, like pubs and campsites. The maps generally come as standard maps or weatherproof ones. For the extra few pounds, I would always choose the weatherproof map, which has served me well in rain, hail, and driving snow. Unfortunately, the Yorkshire Dales do get their fair share of rain! If you do use paper maps, I would suggest taking them in a waterproof mapping case.
The four maps you need to cover the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Dales National Park are:
The Yorkshire Dales Map - Southern and Western (Explorer Map OL2) covers a range of key towns, villages, and prominent hills in the southern and western parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
|
|
 |
|
This map has a free digital download, so you can access it across your devices, making it a convenient companion. Certain long-distance
National Trails and Recreational Paths pass through this map: A Pennine Journey, Dales Way, Dales High Way, E2 European Long Distance Path,
Lune Valley Ramble, Pennine Bridleway, and the Ribble Way. The map covers a large area, so it is double-sided for ease of use.
The Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley (Explorer Map OL19) provides detailed coverage of the picturesque Howgill Fells and the lush Upper Eden Valley, making it a perfect companion for walkers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
|
|
|
|
This map has a free digital download, so you can access it across your devices, making it a convenient companion. Certain long-distance
National Trails and Recreational Paths pass through this map: Coast to Coast Walk, Pennine Journey, E2 European Long Distance Path, Pennine
Bridleway, Dales Way, Pennine Way and the Dales High Way.
The Yorkshire Dales Map - Northern & Central (Explorer Map OL30) offers comprehensive coverage of the stunning northern and central areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is an essential guide for walkers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts exploring this rugged and beautiful region.
|
|
|
|
This map has a free digital download, so you can access it across your devices, making it a convenient companion. Certain long-distance
National Trails and Recreational Paths pass through this map: Coast to Coast Walk, Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway, Dales Way, Swale Trail and
the E2 European Long Distance Path.
The Nidderdale (Explorer Map OL298) provides detailed coverage of the picturesque Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), making it an ideal guide for walkers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts exploring this stunning region.
|
|
|
|
This map has a free digital download, so you can access it across your devices, making it a convenient companion. Certain long-distance
National Trails and Recreational Paths pass through this map: Nidderdale Way, Six Dales Trail, Ripon Rowel Walk, Dales Way and the Harrogate
Ringway.
If you are like me, after a decent day walking in the Yorkshire Dales, there is nothing that can quite beat something to eat and drink at a pub afterwards, and the Yorkshire Dales has many good pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels. We do on our videos finish off with where you can eat and drink after the walk, but there are a few Yorkshire Dales walking books around that also incorporate them at the end or during a walk.
The only thing I would say about pub walk books is that, sadly, many pubs have closed down over the last few years. You should therefore check on the internet first to see whether your chosen pub is still open. I have a few pub walk books from between 1998 and 2014; unfortunately, many of the pubs are no longer there!
With that in mind, I bought a couple of the newer published pub walk books and reviewed a couple more. As I knew a few of the pubs mentioned had already closed, I decided not to include them.
So, if you want a pub walk, I would suggest choosing your walks and then just looking on an up-to-date OS map or on Google to find the nearest pubs. Quite a few of the general Yorkshire Dales walking books on this list do pass pubs along the way or have them near the start/end of the walk. If your walk starts or ends in any of the main towns and villages in the Yorkshire Dales, there is generally a decent selection of good pubs to choose from, and we will keep adding them at the end of our walking videos.
If these books have whetted your appetite for walking in the Yorkshire Dales and for trying longer walks, quite a few long-distance trails pass through or are included within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
|
|
|
|
| New version out 15 March 2025: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One key aspect to keep in mind when reading walking books and guides is the maps. Some guides include hand-drawn maps to avoid Ordnance Survey licensing fees, while others feature official Ordnance Survey or Harvey maps. To ensure I can view the broader area or find my way if I stray from the path, I always carry the full Ordnance Survey map for the walks I plan. I plot the route on these maps, which is why I included a section on Yorkshire Dales maps above - four maps cover the entire Yorkshire Dales.
Many of the walking books mentioned above are now available in different formats to suit your reading preferences. Whether you enjoy the classic feel of a paperback, the sturdiness of a hardback, the convenience of an eBook, or the ease of reading on a Kindle or other e-readers, there's an option for you.
The timing estimates in guidebooks can vary. I often find that I complete the routes faster than suggested times, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace and enjoy taking in the stunning views, be sure to allow extra time, especially when daylight is limited. While some books touch on walking safety, if you're new to hiking, I recommend checking out our Day hiking essentials checklist, our Beginners guide to hiking, and our Top 15 safety tips for hiking.
Another useful tip for utilizing walking books and guides is to visit the publisher's websites or follow any instructions provided in the book for updates. While the hills and mountains remain unchanged, footpaths may occasionally shift, and recommended dining spots may close, so it's wise to check for any recent updates.
The Yorkshire Dales is a spectacular upland area in northern England, celebrated for its dramatic limestone scenery, verdant valleys, rugged moorlands, and charming villages. The region is located mainly within North Yorkshire, although parts extend into Cumbria and Lancashire. Renowned for its natural beauty, the Dales is home to iconic features such as limestone pavements, vast cave systems, and tranquil rivers like the Wharfe and Swale, making it a favourite destination for walkers, climbers, and nature lovers.
The Dales are often divided into individual valleys (or 'dales') shaped by ancient rivers, each possessing its own unique character. Well-known dales include Wensleydale, famous for its waterfalls and cheese-making traditions; Swaledale, with its wildflower-filled meadows and distinctive dry-stone walls; and Malhamdale, which boasts dramatic natural landmarks like Malham Cove and Gordale Scar. Many of the buildings in the area are made from local stone, linking them directly to the geological features of the landscape. Each dale offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, making the region a diverse and rewarding area to explore.
The Yorkshire Dales have a rich history shaped by agriculture, particularly sheep farming, which has left behind a distinctive pattern of dry-stone walls and traditional barns dotting the landscape. Visitors can also encounter traces of the area's industrial heritage, including historic lead mining sites in places like Swaledale and Gunnerside. These historical elements, combined with the breathtaking scenery, make the Dales a fascinating destination for both history buffs and outdoor adventurers.
The Yorkshire Dales offers easy access, with market towns like Skipton and Richmond serving as gateways to this stunning region. Well-connected by road and rail, the area is crisscrossed by an extensive network of walking trails and cycle routes, providing endless opportunities for exploration. Whether you're seeking challenging hill climbs, leisurely strolls, or scenic drives, the Yorkshire Dales promises a tranquil yet captivating escape in one of England's most cherished landscapes.
Established in 1954, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the UK's earliest national parks, covering more than 2,000 square kilometres (800 square miles) across North Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Lancashire. It features iconic sites like the Three Peaks (Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent, and Whernside), Malham Cove, and the Ribblehead Viaduct. With over 2,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways, it is a haven for walkers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
In 2016, the boundaries of the park were expanded, adding an extra 161 square miles and extending further west into Cumbria. This expansion brought in areas like the northern Howgill Fells and Wild Boar Fell, enhancing the park's already diverse landscapes. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is renowned for its unique geology, especially its limestone formations and vast cave systems, which draw caving enthusiasts and geologists from all over the world.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority oversees the management of the park, providing valuable resources for visitors through a network of visitor centres located in towns like Grassington, Hawes, and Malham. These centres supply maps, guidebooks, and expert advice to help visitors fully enjoy their time in the area. Additionally, the park is equipped with various facilities such as parking areas, picnic spots, and campsites, making it accessible to a diverse array of visitors. Besides promoting recreational activities, the authority is dedicated to conservation efforts, working diligently to protect the park's habitats, landscapes, and cultural heritage.
Every year, millions of visitors flock to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, captivated by its pristine landscapes, rich heritage, and welcoming communities. Whether you're wandering through vibrant market towns, savouring hearty dishes in traditional pubs, or soaking in the tranquillity of the untamed countryside, the park provides a quintessentially British experience, solidifying its status as one of the nation's most beloved natural treasures. If you enjoyed our selection of Yorkshire Dales walking books, why not check out our Lake District selection.
Happy walking...
December 2024
