Self-guided · Yorkshire Dales & Lake District
66 kilometres along the northern Dales Way — Ribblehead to Bowness-on-Windermere, from the 24-arch viaduct on the Settle–Carlisle line, over moorland into cobbled Dent, past the Howgills at Sedbergh, and down through Kendal to Lake Windermere.
This is gentle river walking with a proper sense of arrival at the end — the top half of the Dales Way, 66 kilometres from Ribblehead to Bowness-on-Windermere, from the Yorkshire Dales into the eastern fringes of the Lake District. Moorland above Dentdale, riverside miles along the Dee and the Lune, the Howgill Fells at your shoulder through Sedbergh, and a final approach to Windermere with the central Lakeland fells laid out ahead.
It's a gentler walk than the Lakeland routes to the west — 895 m of ascent spread across three or four days, mostly on good field paths and quiet lanes. Trains at both ends, and the commemorative stone bench above Windermere for the official finish. An ideal follow-on to the Dales Way South, or a satisfying long weekend on its own.
The northern Dales Way divides naturally into three stages — the moorland crossing from Ribblehead to Sedbergh, the field-path stretch through Kendal, and the final climb to the shores of Windermere.
Blea Moor · Dentdale · Dent · Howgill Fells
The wilder first day — a moorland traverse from the great viaduct at Ribblehead, contouring high above Dentdale, then down the River Dee past cobbled Dent and along riverside pastures dotted with traditional stone barns to the Book Town of Sedbergh beneath the Howgill Fells.
Lune Viaduct · Lowgill · M6 crossing · Kendal
Field paths beneath the Howgills to the Lune Viaduct, then a gradual traverse of farmland past the Lowgill Viaduct and across the M6 to Skelsmergh on the A6. From here it's a 4 km taxi detour into Kendal for a proper Lakeland market town overnight.
Burneside · Staveley · Windermere · commemorative bench
The final riverside miles along the Kent through Burneside and Staveley — Hawkshead Brewery for a late pint if you're minded — then a steady climb through mixed farmland with panoramic views of Windermere and the central fells to the commemorative bench above the lake, and on into Bowness.
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Pick your pace, party size and dates. The itinerary, distances, nightly stops and the price all update live — no commitment until you're happy.
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Where you'll stay
Stone-village B&Bs at Dent and Sedbergh, then a choice of proper hotels in Kendal or Bowness at the finish. Quiet, riverside stops the whole way.
Every trip is planned around your dates and party, so we can't promise you a specific inn — but we can promise the kind of welcome that makes a walking holiday feel like a proper holiday.
Self-guided, but properly supported. You turn up, you walk, you eat well, you sleep well. We handle the logistics.
Walking the Dales Way North alone doesn't mean being out of touch. We lend you a small GPS tracker for the trail, and a private map link lets the people who care about you follow along from home.
Carry it in your pack and it updates your position as you walk — no phone signal required.
See your own progress on a secure map, with your overnight stops visible at a glance.
Send the private link to family or friends so they know you've arrived safely each day.
We'll start planning your trip right away. Not happy with anything? We'll adjust it or refund you — no questions asked.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Big Trail Adventures (member 5690). Protection is provided for non-flight packages. Full details in our booking conditions.
The Dales Way North is a moderate long-distance walk. On the 3-day Hiker pace you'll walk roughly 23, 23 and 18 km — mostly on riverside and field paths, with the moorland crossing from Ribblehead into Dentdale as the wildest section. Under 900 m of total ascent across the whole route. Fine for anyone with a reasonable base fitness who walks regularly; the 4-day Explorer pace breaks the longer stages.
May to September is prime — long days, wildflowers along the Dee and the Kent, and mostly dry underfoot. Spring brings the meadows into flower; October gives clearer views to the Lakeland fells. Winter walking is possible but the moorland stretch above Dentdale takes the weather. Book well ahead for July and August, particularly in Windermere and Bowness.
Ribblehead is a station on the celebrated Settle–Carlisle line, with direct trains south from Leeds or north from Carlisle. From Windermere station (a short taxi from Bowness) trains run to Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line, with fast connections to London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Windermere branch is one of the great short train rides in England.
Yes, every day. Your main bag moves between accommodation each morning with a 20 kg allowance; you walk with a daypack containing water, lunch, waterproofs and layers. Carriers cover the whole northern Dales Way route between road-accessible villages.
A mix of Dales village B&Bs, Cumbrian inns (the Sun Inn at Dent, the Black Bull at Sedbergh) and small hotels in Kendal and Bowness. En-suite where the village allows, with breakfast and drying space. Some walkers prefer to stay in Kendal itself on the middle night rather than at Skelsmergh — we'll arrange the short taxi transfer.
The 3-day Hiker package starts at £180 per person — accommodation with breakfast, daily luggage transfer, planning, route notes and our support line while you walk. On top, budget £10–15 a day for a picnic lunch and £20–30 for a pub dinner. Most walkers spend an additional £150–250 across the trip on food, drinks and a taxi or two.
The Dales Way North is the perfect follow-on to the southern half — or a satisfying long weekend on its own. Three days from the Ribblehead Viaduct to Lake Windermere, through some of the quietest corners of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. Trains at both ends, pubs the whole way, and one of the great arrivals in English walking at the commemorative bench above Windermere.
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