The Dales Way. Terry Marsh
walkers want to do the whole route from end to end in one endeavour, but the Dales Way also lends itself to completion on a piecemeal basis. There are generally good public transport services along much of its length, notably in the early and later stages, to facilitate walkers who must return to base, while only a modicum of cooperation is needed for groups of walkers with at least two cars to devise linear excursions. Public transport is also available at each end of the Way, both Ilkley and Bowness being convenient for British Rail links, the former from Bradford and Leeds, the latter by way of Windermere to Oxenholme on the west coast mainline.
There are good public transport connections to many parts of the Dales Way. With thoughtful planning, it is possible to attempt the Dales Way using public transport, but some of the bus services are limited, and exist to serve the local population not visiting walkers, and not all of them operate daily. If you are thinking of trying this option, make sure you get up-to-date timetables.
Useful connections for public transport information are:
Network Rail (www.networkrail.co.uk)
National Rail Enquiries (www.nationalrail.co.uk)
Metro Bus and Journey Planner (www.wymetro.com)
Dales Bus services (www.dalesbus.org)
Settle-Carlisle Railway (www.settle-carlisle.co.uk) – for rail services to Dent
Cumbria Bus services (www.cumbria.gov.uk)
First and last nights
Ilkley
The agreeable town of Ilkley, historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, is a spa town with a population of around 10,000, characterised by Victorian buildings and wide streets, such as Grove and Brook Street. These days, the town is a tourist destination, has a good number of small independent shops, and is an ideal base from which to explore Ilkley Moor to the south, and the countryside that surrounds it. Among the town’s many features, Darwin Gardens, to the south, is a Millennium Green that commemorates links with English naturalist Charles Darwin.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowness has long been a tourist destination, increasingly so since the railway came in 1849 to what was then the village of Birthwaite, now the much-developed and popular resort of Windermere. Today, both Bowness and Windermere are busy little places, with pubs, eateries and accommodation in abundance. Anyone not in a hurry to return home will find either a splendid base from which to explore south Lakeland further, or to venture into the higher fells of Langdale and north of Ambleside, and to make the Wordsworth connection. Both rather lack a distinctive centre, but the Victorian buildings and former grand hotels and slate-built houses that radiate from the lakeshore up to the railway still exemplify how the Lake District evolved.
The end of the Dales Way (Stage 6)
Accommodation
The Dales Way is amply furnished with bed-and-breakfast accommodation throughout its length, only becoming thin on the ground between Langstrothdale and Dentdale.
However, not all the accommodation listed is immediately adjacent to the Dales Way, and you are advised to check the precise location of intended accommodation halts in relationship to the Way before making reservations. Many proprietors will arrange to meet you, and offer a ‘ferry’ service both to and from accommodation and places where meals may be obtained. Details of accommodation are set out in Appendix B.
There are few campsites along the Dales Way, but many farmers will consent to small parties pitching tents for a night. In the interests of maintaining good relations with farmers, please obtain permission first. Where there are known campsites, these are detailed in Appendix B.
Facilities en route
The Trek Planner details the facilities along the route, but despite a long string of villages that are passed through, you will spend much time away from civilisation, where facilities are non-existent. Do not assume that remote villages are well endowed with shops and cafés that are necessarily open when you arrive, if they exist at all.
There are very few sections of the walk where it is possible to get lunch during the day, so it is vital that you start each day well prepared and stocked. Have a good breakfast, carry plenty of liquid and daytime food, and make the most of an evening meal.
Grassington village – a quiet corner (Stage 2)
Pack carrying services (baggage transfer)
A small number of companies offer pack carrying services that will collect your bags each morning and drop them at your next stop the same day. These companies are also more than happy to arrange accommodation for you along the entire route. Details are included in Appendix A.
Cash management
With few opportunities along the Way to get hold of cash, it becomes vitally important to estimate your money requirements in advance; you cannot rely on all accommodation providers accepting credit and debit card payments. Along the Way there are banks and/or ATM machines in Ilkley, Grassington, Dent, Sedbergh, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere
A cheque book and banker’s card can usually be used to get cash from post offices, and there are post offices in Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Grassington, Kettlewell, Buckden, Dent, Sedbergh, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere.
Equipment
All walkers have their own preferences in terms of equipment and clothing. When extending day-walking into multiple-day walking, much the same general items are needed, with the emphasis on being able to stay warm, dry (as much as possible) and comfortable in all weather conditions.
The following list may be found a useful reminder:
rucksack (comfortable, well padded, appropriate to backpacking rather than day-walking, and preferably already used by you, if only on trial walks)
boots
socks (spare socks and more spare socks)
trousers (and shorts if you wish but not shorts alone)
underclothes
shirt
midwear (eg fleece/pullover) and spare
wind- and waterproof jacket and over-trousers
hat
gloves
maps
compass
torch (with spare battery and bulbs)
whistle
first aid kit including blister pads
survival bag or space blanket
food and drink
insect repellent
washing tackle, including half a roll of toilet tissue (for emergencies)
small hand towel
spare batteries for your GPS, if you are using one
Campers will also need additional items such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and cooking equipment and utensils. Pedal-bin liners have several useful purposes – keeping wet clothes separate from dry in the sack; containing