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England: Yorkshire Dales – 3 nights
From the vale to the peak in God's Own County
Back to Routes
Malham Cove (photo: Phil Simnett)
Curious sheep on the slopes below Ingleborough
The rapids of Stainforth Force (photo: Phil Simnett)
Leaving Kettlewell
The Dales town of Settle
Field barn in the Wharfe valley (photo: Phil Simnett)
Ingleborough on the horizon
A clapper bridge at Austwick Beck
At a glance
Yorkshire Dales 3-night taster (2 days walking), starting at Malham. See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Peak District
Dog-friendly (small dogs only owing to ladder stiles!) with some accommodation variation.
How much walking?
Full days: 19-21 km per day, 5-6 hours walking
Using shortening options: 10-14km per day, 2¼-4 hours walking using ride-with-luggage transfers at the start of each day
From Malham Cove to Ingleborough
The full route seeks to show walkers the two sides of Yorkshire’s rural heritage, and was designed by local residents and On Foot clients Shaun and Lynda Callaghan. This 3-night taster version starts at Malham, taking you through the market town of Settle to Austwick village, nestling in the dale below the gaunt massif of Ingleborough, one of Yorkshire’s “three peaks”, and your final challenge.
Stay in country pubs and comfortable B&Bs, upgrading if you wish to a smarter hotel in Austwick, and eat well – this shorter version has some fine dining to supplement the hearty Yorkshire fare that will ensure you do not flag during a couple of potentially long days (though shortening options are available).
Small dogs welcome on this version of the route – supplements payable, and some variation to accommodations.
Walked by On Foot staff: Debbie, Simon and Emma
Consider pairing this route with Peak District (4 hrs by taxi and train) – for more details click here.
REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews of this route submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit AITO.com.
ARTICLES: Read an article about On Foot’s holiday in the Yorkshire Dales from The Daily Telegraph newspaper here.
Route Highlights
- Yorkshire pudding and Gallic flair in quintessential pubs
- Drystone walls and unspoilt villages
- The “Cove” and cliff of Malham
- Settle and the steam railway to Carlisle
- The ascent of Ingleborough on your final day
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Villages and farms, Dog friendly, Drive to route, Food, History
We Recommend
Extra night in Austwick; eating at French-owned The Gamecock (Austwick), or the famous Traddock in Austwick (also available as upgrade accommodation).
Limestone Country
Geologically speaking this is an important area, as it was the nursery training for the famous English geologists of the 18th and 19th century who in turn laid the foundations for the science of sedimentary geology (compare also our “Dorset” walk).
The limestone pavements around Malham and Ingleborough are fine examples and will challenge the adventurous walker as well (though can be avoided for those who wish to preserve their ankles).
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: 10-14km per day, 2¼-4 hours walking using ride-with-luggage transfers at the start of each day
Clear paths in the main, though the signage lapses on occasions and so an understanding of maps, use of compass and close attention to the notes is sometimes needed. A walk for everyone courtesy of the (taxi) shortening options (see below).
Medium-hard: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 733m (680m-820m) per day.
OR
Medium: CUSs 408m (250m-525m) per day using shortening options where available and/or riding with luggage for part of walk each day (shortening rides included in price).
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: None.
On Foot Holidays Companion app available from 2025, for GPS navigation/mapping and all other documentation and advice. Separate GPX files for your own device also available.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: May to early October
Other possible months: late April, late October
The best walking is throughout the late spring, summer and early autumn, though be aware that during the summer holidays and weekends the hotels we use can be busy and accommodation less available – do note that our accommodations in Hebden and Malham request two night stays at weekends (except in low season).
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Malham
After a taxi from either Settle train station or from Austwick (if you have driven to the route), settle in to this pretty village. If you arrive early enough, you could do all or part of the Malham Circuit, whose delights include the famous top of Malham Cove and Janet's Foss!
Day 2 - Malham to Austwick
Lots to see today, and choices to be made too. First a sustained, but fairly gentle, climb out of Malham with a good view onto the Cove. Then a remote section with fine views opening up into the valley where Settle lies – and a choice: either to include some additional walking (extra 2.3km, CUSs 70m) and a sneak preview of Ingleborough – your final walk’s goal – or take a more direct route along the Dales High Way to Settle, and lunch. In the afternoon you walk alongside the River Ribble – either right next to it, or, for more interest, via a fascinating and extensive, lime kiln. Finally a delightful entrance through the fields into the little village of Austwick. (Medium-hard: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 20¼ km (12½ miles), CUSs 680m, or ride-with-luggage to Settle, and walk the rest – easy-medium: 2½ hrs walking (allow 3 hrs), 10 km (6½ miles), CUSs 250m)
Option
This could also be a day for a ride-with-luggage into Settle and a trip on the Settle-Carlisle railway line - best when they are running steam trains (needs to be pre-booked and is expensive!), but lovely even when not. The Ribblehead Viaduct is a classic of Victorian engineering. Timetables in your Walker's Pack!
Day 3 - The Ingleborough circuit
A fitting climax to your walk. Taking in either the ‘Norber erratics’ or a medieval clapper bridge (or both with diversion) the day takes you up onto a limestone pavement, over Beggar’s Stile and off along a route up the easiest approach to Ingleborough, perhaps the most iconic hill of the Three Peaks range. The return takes you past Gaping Gill sink hole, through Trow Gill gorge and offers Ingleborough Cave as a distraction en route to pretty Clapham village and a final wander through grassy fields back to Austwick, nestling in the landscape. (Hard: 6 hrs walking (allow 8 hrs), 19½ km (12 miles), CUSs 820m, or easier option avoiding Ingleborough itself Medium: 3½ hrs walking (allow 4¾ hrs), 14 km (9 miles), CUSs 450m)
Option
A couple of shorter, lower circuits around Austwick village are also offered, taking in a clapper bridge, and Clapham Village (lunch here seems right!), or just laze at your accommodation with a good book... we recommend an extra night here if you want to do everything!
Depart for home
A taxi is included back to Settle (or Clapham) station for your leavetaking of this quiet and beautiful region of England.
Travel Information
INFORMATION FOR ARRIVING TO THE 3 NIGHT ROUTE, starting in Malham
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Settle is the nearest station for the 3-night version starting in Malham. Taxi from there to Malham (included)
Nearest railway station:
Start: Settle
Finish: Settle or Clapham
ARRIVING BY CAR
Leave your car at the end of the route in quiet Austwick. Taxi back to your first night.
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best “local” airport is either Leeds-Bradford or Manchester. Intercontinental flights use Manchester or one of the London airports.
Please contact us for transfer advice in view of the options available. A final taxi transfer from Settle (usually) to your first accommodation is included, and for a supplement, one from Leeds or Harrogate.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
See “Getting to the start of the walk” below for more detailed transfer information.
Getting to the start of the walk
Transfer times and methods are suggested from Leeds-Bradford Airport, Manchester Airport and London (centre).
LEEDS-BRADFORD
Outward: Train to Settle then pre-booked taxi.
Return: Taxi to Settle railway station (included), train to Leeds, then half-hourly bus shuttle to airport OR pre-bookable taxi direct to airport.
MANCHESTER
Outward: Train to Skipton then pre-booked taxi.
Return: Taxi to Clapham (instead of Settle – small supplement), train to airport via Lancaster (total 2½ hrs) OR pre-bookable taxi direct to airport.
LONDON (centre):
Outward: Train to Settle then pre-booked taxi.
Return: Taxi to Settle (included), train to London via Leeds (total 4 hrs) OR pre-bookable taxi direct to airport.
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
A lovely choice of accommodation, including excellent B&Bs, pubs and two country house hotels (as upgrades/alternatives).
Please note: Walkers bringing dogs may not be able to do all route versions (check the tabs at the top of the screen) or have the same choice of accommodation. Supplements will apply.
Night 2 & 3
Austwick – The Game Cock Inn (B&B)
Fine pub/restaurant with rooms over. Breton chef has earned a reputation in these parts for inventive dishes, served in a friendly pub ambiance,
Night 2 & 3 (Upgrade)
Famous country house hotel on the edge of the village with an acclaimed kitchen and some lovely rooms. Good to relax in at the end of your walk.
Austwick – The Game Cock Inn (B&B)
Fine pub/restaurant with rooms over. Breton chef has earned a reputation in these parts for inventive dishes, served in a friendly pub ambiance,
Website
Austwick – The Traddock (B&B)
Famous country house hotel on the edge of the village with an acclaimed kitchen and some lovely rooms. Good to relax in at the end of your walk.
Website
In Malham our alternatives are:
The Lister Arms (below), the grand old daddy of accommodation, with decent bedrooms and good pub-style food.
and…
Beck Hall (below), a friendly riverside hotel close to the village centre, where dogs are always welcome.
Prices
Total 3 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, luggage transfers (and shortening rides if required) between all hotels on walking route; taxis from and to Settle station at the end (or taxi from Austwick at the start if you are driving to the route), full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
Also included: On Foot Holidays Companion app (from 2025), providing navigation/mapping and digital version of the Walkers’ Pack as above. Separate GPX files for your own device also available. If choosing to walk with app only (no printed materials): Discount of £40 per pack (based on one pack per room) from 2025.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £150
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £170
Maximum party size: 10
Add Ons
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)
Taxi from Leeds or Leeds-Bradford Airport to Malham: ask for details
Dogs: Supplements vary dependent on hotel, but allow £10 per night per dog
Our local team
Shaun Callaghan
Shaun and his wife Lynda describe themselves as bilingual, speaking both broad Yorkshire and a Yorkshire version of English. They are obviously proud of their Yorkshire roots. A couple of years ago they took early retirement and moved to their favourite walking area of the Three Peaks of Yorkshire, living just a few hundred yards outside the National Park boundary and only four miles from the summit of Ingleborough.
