Bowland-Dales Traverse
An 85-mile long distance footpath which celebrates both the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales, crossing them in a south-west to north-east line from Garstang to Richmond. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SD 490 447
Distance: 85 miles (137 km)
Time: 35–43 hours
Duration: 5–8 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Area
OL30 Yorkshire Dales – Northern and Central Area
OL41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale
296 Lancaster, Morecambe and Fleetwood
304 Darlington and Richmond
Summary
The Bowland-Dales Traverse is a challenging cross-country route in Northern England which covers the uplands and valleys of the Red Rose County of Lancashire and the White Rose County of Yorkshire. Principally, it is an upland route across the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales that highlights the contrast of the Forest of Bowland gritstone with the Yorkshire Dales limestone. From the start in Garstang, Lancashire, the route visits Calder Vale to begin the crossing of the Forest of Bowland, during which Slaidburn is visited. The route then continues via Stocks Reservoir to Gisburn Forest, after which it enters North Yorkshire near Giggleswick Moor. Settle is visited before the limestone dales are crossed. Features and habitations visited include, in order, Attermire Scar, Malham, Malham Cove, Mastiles Lane, Kilnsey Crag, Conistone, Kettlewell, Starbotton Fell, Buckden Pike, Walden Moor, Walden, West Burton, Aysgarth, Carperby, Castle Bolton, Harkerside Moor, Grinton, Reeth, Marrick Moor, Skelton Moor, Clints, Marske, and Whitcliffe Scar before the traverse ends in Richmond.