Yoredale Way
A 100-mile long-distance path beginning in the City of York and ending in the Cumbrian market town of Kirkby Stephen. While the first half of the walk crosses the vales of York and Mowbray, the main theme is a thorough exploration of the northern Yorkshire Dales of Wensleydale and Mallerstang. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SE 603 522
Distance: 100 miles (160 km)
Time: 42–50 hours
Duration: 7–10 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Area
OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
OL30 Yorkshire Dales – Northern and Central Area
290 York, Selby and Tadcaster
298 Nidderdale
299 Ripon, Boroughbridge and Easingwold
302 Northallerton and Thirsk
Summary
At approximately 100 miles long, the Yoredale Way traces the River Ure from the point where it joins the River Ouse a few miles north of York to its source in the Pennine fells between Hawes and Kirkby Stephen. The walk features not only the river but also the Yoredale Series of Lower Carboniferous rocks after which the route is named.
The route crosses classic walking country in Northern England, traversing the Vale of York before ascending through Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. From York, the Yoredale Way goes via Nether Poppleton, Beningbrough, Nun Monkton, Newton-on-Ouse, Youlton, Aldwark, Myton-on-Swale, Boroughbridge, Roecliffe, Newby Hall, Ripon, North Stainley, West Tanfield, Mickley, Grewelthorpe Wood, Masham, Low Ellington, Jervaulx Abbey, Cover Bridge, Middleham, Leyburn, Leyburn Shawl, Wensley, West Witton, Penhill, West Burton, Aysgarth Falls, Askrigg, Sedbusk, Hawes, Hardraw, Cotterdale, Abbotside Common, Hell Gill Bridge, Mallerstang, and Wharton Hall to the finish in Kirkby Stephen.