A 90 mile walk across the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales
A Dales High Way Walk: a 90 mile walk across the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales

A Dales High Way

FRIENDS OF A DALES HIGH WAY 2018 - 10th anniversary Events

2018 sees the 10th anniversary of the 90-mile Dales High Way trail.

Walkers on A Dales High Way - Rombalds Moor

The long distance route was officially launched in 2008 with the publication of the first edition of A Dales High Way Route Guide. Its popularity as a high level trail crossing the Yorkshire Dales soon grew and it is now estimated around 1,000 walkers tackle the route each year.

The route was originally developed by Chris and Tony Grogan, with their own first complete walk of the finalised trail in 2007. The website went live in 2008.

There have been a number of notable milestones along the way:

  • Brigantes became the first company to offer a baggage courier service and holiday booking service for walkers on the route in May 2009;
  • November 2009 saw the establishment of the Friends of A Dales High Way, which helps promote, develop and maintain the route;
  • July 2013 saw the completion of the way marking of the entire route;
  • March 2014 saw its inclusion as an official Long Distance Recreational Route on OS Explorer and Landranger maps;
  • August 2016 saw the extension of the Yorkshire Dales National Park take in the northern section of the trail, leaving three quarters of the trail within the National Park.

A number of events are being planned to help celebrate the anniversary, including a number of led walks and talks by members of the Friends of A Dales High Way.

See the list below. More events will be added throughout the year.

For details of the Walk The Trail 2018 - a series of led walks along the whole Dales High Way trail, click here.



A Taste of A Dales High Way - walk & talk

Saturday 24 March

Clapper bridge Crummack Dale

Join Chris Grogan, creator of A Dales High Way for a morning circular walk (c4-5 miles) from Austwick village, taking in a short section of this long distance trail. This walk follows fields, tracks and lanes between Austwick and Wharfe, before heading for the lower slopes of Crummack Dale, passing the pretty little clapper bridge at Wash Dub to return to the start. The walk is moderately easy but may be stony or wet underfoot. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Meet 10.30 am at Austwick Village Hall, Main Street, Austwick LA2 8BJ (beside Village Shop/Post Office). Toilets available. Park with consideration on village roads. Free.

In the afternoon Chris will give an illustrated talk about how she and her husband Tony developed the 90 mile route, and how her upbringing on a Dentdale hill farm led to a lifelong passion for walking. 

2.15 p.m. at Austwick Village Hall (£3 includes tea and biscuit).

A Friends of the Dales event.

Wash Dub - photo courtesy Friends fo the Dales Wharfe - photo courtesy of Friends fo the Dales

REPORT:

At Wash Dub (left) near the hamlet of Wharfe on our Friends of the Dales event today. Chris Grogan led a lovely walk from Austwick and then gave a great talk in the afternoon on how she and her husband Tony devised the 'Dales High Way' 90 mile walking route. A great day was had by all!

- Friends of the Dales.



A Taste of A Dales High Way - illustrated talk

Tuesday 17 April

Chris Grogan is the guest speaker with her illustrated lighthearted talk 'A Taste of A Dales High Way' at Bingley Walkers Are Welcome Annual General Meeting.

Meet at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 17th April 2018 at Cardigan House, Ferncliffe Road, Bingley. BD16 2TA.  Tea and coffee on arrival. Everyone welcome.

A Bingley Walkers Are Welcome event.


From Hill Farm to Hiker

Tuesday 1 May

Chris Grogan presents

Join Chris Grogan, co-creator of A Dales High Way, for a light-hearted, illustrated talk about how her childhood on a Dentdale hill farm led to a lifelong passion for walking and the creation of this popular long-distance trail.

19.30. Friends Meeting House, Kirkgate, Settle (opposite the Victoria Hall). £3.00 includes light refreshments.

A Friends of A Dales High Way event as part of the Ride2Stride Walking Festival.


A Walk with a View - along the Dales High Way in Chapel-le-Dale

Saturday 5 May

Ribbelhead

Join Chris Grogan who will lead an 8 mile circular Walk with a View from Ribblehead, with stunning views of Ingleborough, Whernside and Ribblehead viaduct.

This moderate walk will pass through the Ribblehead Quarry Nature Reserve and on to the remains of a Viking-age settlement at Gauber High pasture, before crossing through the Southerscales Nature Reserve and down past Great Douk Cave to Chapel-le-Dale.

Now following along an iconic section of the Dales High Way trail, the walk continues past St Leonard's Church and up to Ellerbeck for a lovely mid-level walk along the southern flank of Whernside to Winterscales and back alongside Ribblehead Viaduct.

Meet at Ribblehead station 12.02 p.m.. (from the train departing Leeds at 10.49). Return in time for the 17.42 train back to Leeds. Free..

A Friends of the Dales event as part of the Ride2Stride Walking Festival.

St Leaonards, Chapel-le-dale

REPORT:

Fantastic Ride2Stride 'A Walk with a View' led by Chris Grogan for Friends of the Dales today. Just under 40 walkers enjoyed a glorious day at the foot of Ingleborough and Whernside. Photo St Leonard's Chapel-le-dale.

- Friends of the Dales.



Crossing Bingley Moor through heather and cottongrass - 19May2018

Walk the Trail - (1) Saltaire to Ilkley

Saturday 19th May

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the first section across Rombalds Moor to Ilkley.

Meet 10.30 a.m. Outside Victoria Hall, Victoria Rd. Saltaire. 7.5 miles, Moderate.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.



Hay meadows above Addingham

Walk the Trail - (2) Ilkey to Skipton

Saturday 2nd June

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the second section across Addingham High Moor and Skipton Moor to Skipton.

Meet 10.30 a.m. Outside Ilkley railway station, Ilkley. 11.5 miles, Strenuous. (Optionally, finish at Addingham, 6.5 miles, Moderate).

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.



Flasby Fell

Walk the Trail - (3) Skipton to Hetton

Saturday, 16 June.

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the third section from Skipton, crossing Sharp Haw and Flasby Fell to Hetton.

Meet 11.00 a.m.outside Skipton railway station, Skipton. 6.8 miles, Moderate.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.



Above Malham Cove

Walk the Trail - (4) Hetton to Settle

Saturday, 30 June.

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the fourth section from Hetton, climbing to Weets Top and into Malhamdale, before crossing above Malham Cove and over Kirkby fell to Settle.

Meet 9.30 a.m. at Skipton railway station. 12.0 miles, Strenuous. (Optionally, finish at Malham, 6.3 miles, Moderate).

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.


Approaching Whafe for Ingleborough

Walk the Trail - (5) Settle to Horton

Saturday, 14 July.

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the fifth section from Settle along the River Ribble, then passing Smearset Scar to Feizor. Climbing into Crummackdale and up onto the limestone pavements beneath Simon's fell, before heading down to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Meet 10.30 a.m. at Settle railway station. 11.5 miles, Strenuous.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.


Approaching Ingleborough summit

Walk the Trail - (6) Horton to Ribblehead

Saturday, 28 July.

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the sixth section from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to climb might Ingleborough, before dropping down to Chapel-le-Dale and along the south-eastern flanks of Whernside to Ribblehead.

Meet 09.00 a.m. at Horton railway station. 10.5 miles, Strenuous.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.



Dropping into Dentdale

Walk the Trail - (7) Ribblehead to Sedbergh

Saturday, 11 August.

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the seventh section from Ribblehead, climbing the North-east flank of Whenside into Dentdale. After passing through Dent, there's a further climb over the Frostrow Fells to Sedbergh.

 12.8 miles, Strenuous.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.



Provisional dates for the last 2 walks have been revised due to proposed strike action by the RMT rail union on the 25th August, 1st September and 8th September.

Calf, Howgills

Walk the Trail - (8) Sedbergh to Newbiggin-on-Lune

Saturday, 18 August.

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the eighth section from Sedbergh, climbing into the Howgill Fells and a stunning 6-mile ridge walk before dropping inot Bowderdale and on to Newbiggin-on-Lune.

 11.0 miles, Strenuous.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.



Baildon Walkers are Welcome

Baildon Walkers are Welcome Challenge Walk

Saturday September 1st

Join Paul Robinson for the first Baildon Walkers are Welcome CHALLENGE event which will take you on a 17 mile walk over the moors of Baildon, Bingley, Ilkley, Addingham, Draughton and Skipton, following the initial part of the route of The Dales Highway long-distance walk (devised 10 years ago by Baildon Walkers are Welcome Vice-Chair, Chris Grogan – who is planning to accompany this walk).

17 miles. Strenuous.

A Baildon Walkers Are Welcome event. See here for details.


End of the trail - Appleby 9 Sept 2018

Walk the Trail - (9) Newbiggin-on-Lune to Appleby-in-Westmorland

Sunday, 9 September.

Walk the whole length of A Dales High Way over a number of one-day sectional walks.

Join the Friends of A Dales High Way as they lead the final section from Newbiggin-on-Lune, across Ravenstonedale Moor and the Orton Fells into the Eden Valley, with a final ramble alongside Hoff Beck to Appleby.

 12.7 miles, Strenuous.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL: See here for full details.


Dales High Way guided walking holiday with HF Holidays

14 - 24 September

HF Holidays

Stay at two of HF Holiday's UK Country Houses as you discover The Dales High Way on a 10-day, full-board, guided walking holiday.

Newfield Hall is a grand 19th century country house set in extensive grounds with magnificent views of the Yorkshire Dales. One of our largest Country Houses, Newfield Hall has 48 bedrooms, in both the main building and the tastefully converted coach house. There are two lounges, a bar, dining room and heated swimming pool. Like all our Country Houses, Newfield Hall is tailored for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts with boot room, drying room and a Discovery Point.

Thorns Hall has 25 newly-refurbished bedrooms located in both the main building and the cottages across the courtyard. The house retains many original features in the cosy lounge and bar, and charming upstairs dining room. At the front and side of the house there is a formal garden, a pleasant spot to relax after your walk or activities. Just a short stroll will take you into the heart of Sedbergh with its pubs and numerous book shops.

All walking days involve minibus or local transport between the walking route and your accommodation and this is included in your holiday price.

After a sociable evening meal, you can join in an organised activity such as a quiz or a talk about the local area (including an illustrated talk on A Dales High Way by Chris Grogan), relax in the bar or use the Country House facilities

Download the Holiday Trip Notes here, and book your holiday here.


A Taste of A Dales High Way - illustrated talk

Sunday November 18th

Chris will give her illustrated talk, and the Friends of A Dales High Way will have an information stall and presentation at Otley Walkers Are Welcome celebration of walking.

Details to follow.

An Otley Walkers Are Welcome event.


Find out more about the Friends of A Dales High Way here.