4 summer walks in the Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is best explored on foot – and, some say, best explored in summer. Discover 4 walks that promise the best of the season.

Is summer the best time to walk the Yorkshire Dales? Well, as seasons go, it's definitely in the top four.

Yes – the Dales are beautiful at all times of year. And one of the best ways to soak up that beauty is to explore on foot.

Autumn brings russet-brown moorlands and golden foliage. Winter welcomes snow-capped peaks and flocks of fieldfares and redwings. Spring trails wind through patches of wildflowers, as lambs bounce through the fields beyond.

But summer might be the most rewarding walking season of all. It's when the landscape is at its lushest, the hay meadows are most fragrant and the local wildlife is particularly busy and abundant.

Keen to get out there and explore? Great idea. We've picked out four of our favourite local walking trails to get you started, with options for all ages and abilities.



1. Grass Wood

Length: 4½ miles
Difficulty: moderate
Accessibility: rough, rocky and sometimes muddy terrain, with one steep climb into Grass Wood

Starting point: Grassington National Park Centre

Grass Wood is a nature reserve perched above the popular village of Grassington. Rich with wildlife and wildflowers, it's one of the largest areas of broadleaved woodland in the Dales.

This circular trail takes you from the village to the heart of the woods, following the path of the River Wharfe on the outward leg. Along the way, you'll pass by Linton Falls – a small, picturesque waterfall – and might, if you're lucky, spot an oystercatcher or kingfisher from the riverbank.

Why it's great for summer

Grass Wood is teeming with beasts and birds in the warmer months, making this walk a shoo-in for wildlife lovers. Sightings aren't guaranteed, but woodland birds like redstarts and pied flycatchers are often spotted here. You might also see butterflies on calm, warm days.

Download the route at YorkshireDales.org.uk.

2. Grassington Meadows

Length: 3½ miles
Difficulty: moderate
Accessibility: sometimes muddy terrain with narrow stone stiles and one moderate climb

Starting point: Grassington National Park Centre

Like our last walk, this circular trail starts and ends at Grassington National Park Centre. This time, however, you'll head off in the opposite direction to explore the beautiful hay meadows that surround the village.

It's a shorter route, so it's a good choice if you only have a couple of hours spare. There's still plenty to see, though, including plenty of birdlife – lapwings and curlews are regular visitors.

Why it's great for summer

The hay meadows around Grassington encapsulate everything that makes the Dales so wonderful in summer. Think colourful blankets of wildflowers, hemmed in by centuries-old drystone walls. And the meadows themselves, of course – beautiful, fragrant and biodiverse. It's a picture-perfect sight, rendered in crisp detail by the resplendent summer sunshine.

Download the route at YorkshireDales.org.uk.



3. Buckden to Cray to Hubberholme circuit

Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: moderate to difficult
Accessibility: sometimes muddy terrain with a steep, rocky climb

Starting point: Buckden car park

Love a scenic Yorkshire village? This trail gives you three for the price of nothing, following a circular route between the handsome Buckden, quiet Cray and ancient Hubberholme.

There's plenty to see within the villages and without. Keep an eye out for Hubberholme's 12th-century Norman church, as well as the kingfishers and oystercatchers that frequent the river bend just outside Buckden.

You'll see the best sight of all, however, when you conquer the uplands above Cray. Here, the view unfolds into a startling panorama of the famous Wharfedale valley.

Why it's great for summer

Lucky hikers might spot a rare species or two on this route. Wild orchids are often found among the traditional, unfertilised wildflower meadows between Buckden and Hubberholme. Meanwhile, the south-facing grassland slopes often play host to the rarely spotted northern brown argus butterfly.

Download the route at YorkshireDales.org.uk.



4. Malham Tarn (accessible route)

Length: 1½ miles
Difficulty: accessible for some
Accessibility: well-surfaced track with a wheelchair-accessible option

Starting point: Malham Tarn car park

This is a Miles Without Stiles route rated "for some". That means it's an accessible option designed for more confident walkers or those with robust mobility vehicles.

That's because the route starts with a trek over a rough, grassy field. If you find access difficult, however, you can join an alternative route that follows the boardwalk around the lake.

Whichever route you choose, you're in for a treat. Malham Tarn is a beautiful glacial lake, said to be the highest marl lake in the UK at some 380 metres above sea level. On its northern banks is a wildlife-rich nature reserve – the perfect place for a bit of gentle adventure in the sunshine.

Why it's great for summer

Malham Tarn is stunning in summer. Vast, blue and bounded by grassy fields, it takes on a particularly picturesque quality when the air is warm and the sky is clear.

It's a hotspot for aquatic birdlife, too. As you follow the trail, look out for moorhens, coots, teals and the striking great crested grebe.

Download the route at YorkshireDales.org.uk.

Don't forget to stop at Stump Cross Caverns

Whether you're planning a day out on foot or just want some post-walk refreshment, Stump Cross Caverns makes a great pitstop.

You'll find our visitors' centre on the B6265 between Pateley Bridge and Grassington – within easy reach of many of these summer walking routes.

Inside is our magnificent Time Cafe. Here, you can enjoy tasty, filling mains like our famous Yorkshire pudding wrap or Cumberland hotdog. We also serve a selection of light bites and hot and cold drinks, as well as gorgeous views of the surrounding Dales.

Fancy making a day of it? There's loads to do this summer. You can explore our ancient underground caves, try your hand at cracking a geode or even take part in a real Ice Age palaeontological dig.



And whether you're stopping for a cuppa or stopping by for hours, you can always expect a warm Yorkshire welcome. Pop in on the day or book your cave tickets online.