National Park Guide
Yorkshire Dales National Park is a protected area in Northern England, defined by its distinctive landscape of rolling dales, windswept hills, and expansive moorland. The park's geology features dramatic limestone scenery, including pavements, scars, and gorges, alongside numerous waterfalls. This varied terrain provides a suitable environment for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more, attracting outdoor enthusiasts to its diverse natural settings.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park offers…
229
Routes
4.7
(4427)
Average rating
51348
People visited

4.7
(346)
5,170
hikers
40.6km
12:40
1,420m
1,420m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.9
(351)
3,225
hikers
10.7km
03:26
450m
450m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(345)
3,183
hikers
9.97km
03:14
440m
440m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(367)
3,318
hikers
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.4
(9)
1,726
runners
40.6km
05:15
1,420m
1,410m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(7)
314
runners
10.7km
01:19
450m
450m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

5.0
(2)
165
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

5.0
(2)
72
runners
11.6km
01:30
210m
210m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(1)
725
riders
36.5km
02:36
720m
720m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(5)
192
riders
46.0km
03:18
840m
840m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
47
riders
54.4km
03:39
800m
800m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
69.4km
04:44
970m
980m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(20)
177
riders
39.5km
03:40
920m
920m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(23)
111
riders
39.2km
03:19
730m
730m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(17)
88
riders
38.6km
03:09
660m
650m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(11)
101
riders
16.0km
01:40
440m
440m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.6
(5)
246
riders
57.8km
03:17
1,150m
1,150m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
176
riders
98.9km
04:47
1,160m
1,160m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(2)
80
riders
91.9km
04:40
1,500m
1,500m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

47
riders
55.0km
02:49
880m
870m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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22
riders
34.1km
03:38
840m
840m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
30
riders
49.2km
03:38
980m
980m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30
riders
30.7km
02:03
280m
280m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
41.7km
03:00
650m
650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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5.0
(1)
3
hikers
15.0km
04:41
530m
530m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
1
hikers
9.21km
02:35
190m
190m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Yorkshire Dales National Park offers a diverse range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The park features more than 140 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from komoot users. More than 40,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the park.
Popular hiking trails include the challenging Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, a 25 mile (40.6 km) route. Other well-regarded options are the Pen-y-Ghent loop from Horton in Ribblesdale, and the Malham Cove and Gordale Scar loop from Malham. These routes offer varied terrain from fell walking to dramatic limestone scenery.
Yes, the park offers several challenging hiking routes. The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, covering approximately 25 miles (40.6 km), is a notable difficult hike. The Malham Cove and Gordale Scar loop is also rated as difficult due to its terrain. These routes often involve significant elevation changes and rugged paths.
For touring cyclists, the Buttertubs Pass & Oxnop Scar loop from Hawes is a popular 22.7 mile (36.5 km) option. Road cyclists can explore the Wensleydale & Swaledale loop from Bainbridge, a 35.9 mile (57.8 km) route. The park's network of bridleways and byways provides extensive cycling opportunities.
Mountain bikers can find trails such as The Howgill Fells and Bowderdale loop, which is about 24.6 miles (39.5 km) long. Another option is the Great North Trail: Yorkshire Dales section, a 24.3 mile (39.2 km) route. These trails offer a mix of hard stone, moorland singletrack, and limestone grassland.
The park is known for its dramatic limestone scenery, including limestone pavements at Malham Cove and Great Asby Scar, and deep gorges like Gordale Scar. It also features extensive cave systems and numerous waterfalls such as Hardraw Force, Ingleton Falls, and the famous Aysgarth Falls. The Yorkshire Three Peaks (Whernside, Ingleborough, and Pen-y-Ghent) are prominent summits.
Yes, the Yorkshire Dales National Park offers routes suitable for beginners and families. There are accessible "miles without stiles" routes designed for easier navigation. For specific suggestions, consult the Easy hikes in Yorkshire Dales National Park guide on komoot.
Komoot offers several guides for the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including Hiking in Yorkshire Dales National Park, Waterfall hikes in Yorkshire Dales National Park, and MTB Trails in Yorkshire Dales National Park. There are also guides for Cycling, Running Trails, and Gravel biking.
Yorkshire Dales National Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 40,000 visitors having shared their experiences. There are over 140 routes available, which have received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 3,300 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users exploring the park.
The official website for the Yorkshire Dales National Park is www.yorkshiredales.org.uk. This website provides comprehensive information about the park, including visitor guidance and conservation efforts.
Yes, the park offers several routes for jogging. The Three Peaks Challenge, approximately 25 miles (40.6 km), is a demanding option. Other routes include the Simon's Seat & River Wharfe loop from Bolton Abbey, which is about 11.4 miles (18.4 km). For more options, consult the Running Trails in Yorkshire Dales National Park guide.
For general enquiries about the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the phone number is 0300 456 0030. This contact can provide information on various aspects of the park's operations and visitor services.

