Introduction:

The Dales Way runs from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness in the Lake District. The majority of the walk passes through the Yorkshire Dales alongside rivers, through valleys, on limestone pavements and over moors. The walk continues on from the Dales by fringing the Howgill Fells before culminating on the banks of Lake Windermere. The walk is particularly memorable and at just over 76 miles long it conveniently fits into a one week window. It is the perfect introduction to long distance walking.

The best web sites for General Information and Planning:

Dalesway Co UK Dedicated site providing all one needs when planning to do the walk.
Ramblers Association Comprehensive site providing details on the route. Includes an accommodation guide, booking service providers, maps required.

The best web sites for Guided Walking:

H F Holidays Walk itinerary, dates and prices available on site.
Footpath Holidays Walk itinerary, dates and prices available on site.
North West Walks Full guided walking service.

The web sites that organise your accommodation and baggage transfer:

Absolute Escapes offer self-guided walking packages including accommodation and baggage transfer for the whole walk.
Contours Full range of self guided walking services. Very good web site navigation.
Mickledore Full support service. Has an option for the walk with shorter stages.
Dalesway Co UK Organise accommodation and baggage transfer. Costs shown on site.
Sherpa Van Renowned baggage transfer service. Accommodation also organised on request if the baggage service is used. Full costs of the service are provided online.

The best web sites for you to plan your accommodation:

S H Systems Excellent range of accommodation. Just type in the location to bring up a list of accommodation in the area. You can sort them by price, postcode or rating.
Dalesway Co Uk  The most complete web listing of accommodation for the walk.

(Note - finding suitable walkers accommodation on the web is a minefield. It is best to search for accommodation by searching for it in a specific place. If you don't then you will spend ages wasting your time trawling large databases and getting nowhere fast. I have done so many times. In my experience S H Systems has proved to be most useful)

The best personal journals of the walk:

Mike Brockhurst Comprehensive journal of the walk. Includes statistics, elevation details and photographs of each stage.
California Walkers A lovely report of the walk with pictures and further information.
Bill Stormont's Dales Way Gallery A fantastic photographic journal of the walk.
Jennifer Ward A short report with pictures.

The sites for safety advice and emergency services:

Ramblers Association Practical walking advice including a guide to map reading, navigation and a detailed list of the essential gear required on a long distance walk.
Ramblers Association Essential safety guide with clear web site navigation.
Mountain Rescue UK You may need them so take their advice.

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