The Dales Way is a long distance footpath of 79 miles in the north of England, with a good choice of accommodation available in bunkhouses and hostels along the route. The Way runs from Ilkley in Yorkshire, following paths through the Yorkshire Dales and the foothills of the South Lake District. Finishing in Bowness-on-Windermere in the heart of the Lake Distrtict. It follows many riverside paths passing through villages where accommodation is available. The Dales Way offers a rural route with scenic views.
Accommodation on the Dales Way
The Dales Way
The Dales Way runs from Ilkley in Yorkshire, following paths through the Yorkshire Dales and the foothills of the South Lake District. Finishing in Bowness-on-Windermere in the heart of the Lake District. There are hostels and bunkhouses along or near the route, which provide great value friendly accommodation for walkers. The Dales Way guide by Colin Speakman is available from Skyware and the route is shown on the LDWA website. A detailed account of the route can be found on the Walking Englishman’s website.
Photo taken by Howgills Barn, which provides a welcome for walkers in Sedbergh
The Dales Way is a long distance footpath of 79 miles in the north of England. It follows many riverside paths and offers a rural route with scenic views from urban West Yorkshire to the Lake District.
Grassington Bunkbarn for groups, is within a km of the route in Grassington and in nearby Kilnsey, Skirfare Barn (also for groups), is about 2km off the route. Kettlewell Hostel is right on the route in Kettlewell and welcomes individual walkers and groups.
The cosy sitting room at Gauber Bunk Barn
Further along the route is Gauber Bunk Barn, just over 1 mile from the Dales Way track at Gearstones. Gauber Bunk Barn has a drying room and welcomes individual walkers and groups. They have found that long distance walking guests travel light and look forward to a quiet night relaxing in the bunk barn. So duvets and towels can be hired and they offer a grocery service for guests, where you can request items a few days prior to arrival and find them at the barn waiting for you. The barn has self catering facilities ready to for you to prepare a meal and lunch for the following day. A self service breakfast basket is also available for a small additional fee.
The way to Gauber Bunk Barn from the Dales WayThe way to Gauber Bunk Barn from the Dales Way
Broadrake Barn, 4km off route welcomes individual walkers and groups.
Further along in Sedbergh, the Dalesway passes the doorstep of Howgills Barn which welcomes all walkers.
Howgills Barn on the Dales Way
As the walk reaches the Lake District accommodation is available 4km off the path at at Dacres Stable, 4km off the path at Kendal Hostel and 2km off the path at the Lakes District Backpackers in Windermere.
There is a train service from Burneside (on the route) to Windermere and Kendal, so Lake District Backpackers or Kendal Hostel can be used for the last two nights accommodation, to save carrying luggage on the last day.