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YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER · NORTH WEST
Yorkshire Dales
Limestone cliffs, waterfalls and dry-stone-walled valleys make the Yorkshire Dales a rewarding place for a nature-led day out. Malham offers dramatic rock scenery, while Aysgarth brings woodland and the River Ure into the foreground.
This is a guide to the wider National Park, including its western areas. Choose a particular valley and walk before travelling: paths, gradients and facilities differ considerably, even within the same destination.
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Yorkshire Dales at a glance
Where
North Yorkshire · Cumbria · Lancashire
Your visit
Choose a short outing or a longer walk using the route information below.
Before you arrive
Check current opening times, route conditions and local notices.
Why visit Yorkshire Dales?
The Dales reward looking closely as well as taking in a wide view. A village-to-waterfall walk can combine riverside plants, woodland and working farmland; a limestone outing reveals a very different landscape. Give yourself time to stop rather than planning only around distance.
Popular places such as Malham can be busy. A second choice helps if parking is full, and choosing one valley leaves more time outdoors. The landscape is also home to residents and livestock, so keep gateways clear and respect gardens, farmyards and local signs.
Walks and places to explore
Malham village to the foot of the Cove
Follow the authority’s accessible route to the base of Malham Cove. It starts on tarmac through the village before reaching gravel, with steeper sections and gates along the way. Allow for traffic on the road section. The cliff-top limestone pavement involves a different route and should not be treated as part of the accessible approach.
Aysgarth’s woodland and Middle Falls
The first 500 metres of the published route follows compact aggregate through Freeholders’ Wood, with benches and views of the Middle Falls. Access to the Lower Falls involves a flight of steps; longer alternatives include unsurfaced ground. Choose a turning point appropriate to your mobility rather than assuming every viewpoint is step-free.
Malham Tarn for a quieter water-focused visit
The official route describes rough grass at the start before a wider surfaced track, and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop at the Water Houses end. Check the full route and gradients first. A tarn outing is a separate trip from the village-to-Cove walk, with its own starting point and parking.
Accessibility and easier visits
Use the National Park’s Access Hub to compare route surfaces, accessible parking and toilet provision. Malham and Aysgarth have Tramper options, but availability and booking should be confirmed directly before travelling. Equipment suitability varies with route and conditions.
Miles without Stiles routes still include gradients and different surfaces. The Malham approach has road sections and gates; at Aysgarth, the Lower Falls steps are an important limit. Choose the exact section you want to visit and check the published guidance against your needs.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Choose a gateway for your chosen valley, such as Skipton for the southern Dales or a western starting point for the Lune and Rawthey valleys. Check current rail and rural bus connections, especially return journeys and seasonal services. Do not assume one bus ticket reaches all the park’s attractions.
Parking and cost
The authority identifies Malham, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Aysgarth as particularly busy car parks. Arrive with a backup destination and use designated parking rather than roadside verges or village gateways. Charges apply at National Park car parks, including to Blue Badge users at Malham; check the current tariff.
Opening and admission
The National Park has no single admission ticket or daily opening time. Public paths, access land, visitor centres and private attractions have separate arrangements. Check any route notices and centre opening times before a visit that relies on advice, equipment hire or indoor facilities.
Toilets and refreshments
Visitor-centre car parks at Malham and Aysgarth offer toilets, including accessible provision described in the official guidance. Check opening and access details before travel if a particular facility is essential. Carry water and food when walking away from villages, and take litter home.
Dogs and responsible visits
Keep dogs under close control and on a lead around sheep, cattle and nesting wildlife. Follow signs and local restrictions, leave gates as found, and take bagged waste away. Give farm animals plenty of room rather than taking a close photograph or allowing a dog to approach.
Wildlife and changing seasons
Woodland, water and limestone
Malham Tarn’s official guide lists water birds including grebes, coots and ducks. Look from the permitted route, use binoculars if available, and avoid approaching resting or nesting birds. Sightings vary with season and conditions.
Summer meadows and autumn valleys
Summer brings flowers and insects to the Dales’ meadows and verges; enjoy them from public paths without trampling hay crops. Autumn offers changing woodland colours beside rivers. A shorter valley walk can be worthwhile when higher ground is cloud-covered.
Make the most of your day
Check the forecast, carry a map and suitable clothing, and allow more time on wet or uneven ground. Keep away from cliff edges and fast-flowing water. Waterfalls can be hazardous after rain; a familiar-looking pool may have cold water, strong currents and unseen obstacles.
Official visitor information
Official visitor planning and parking · Malham Cove route and access detail · Miles without Stiles routes · Access for all and Tramper information
Visitor details checked 5 October 2026. Opening times, charges and access can change; check the official sources before travelling.