The Six Dales Trail

The SixDalesTrail project is our most extensive development springing from the Walkers Are Welcome Otley project.  The trail, which was launched in June 2010, starts in Otley, and winds across the entire length of the superb Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to end at Middleham, in Wensleydale.  

Along its 38 mile length, the trail crosses the 5 watersheds that separate the six dales that give the trail its name.  From Wharfedale it crosses into Washburndale, then into Nidderdale, Colsterdale, Coverdale and finally Wensleydale.   The terrain traversed by the trail varies from quiet steep pastures to high heather moorland, from stretches alongside fast-flowing rivers to stretches through the 18th century parkland surrounding the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey.  The entire route is full of interest and opens up areas that have not been downtrodden and eroded by the passage of a million boots

“Just completed the trail and wanted to say how much we enjoyed it particularly the last section from Leeds Pals to Middleham. 

The people who were responsible for the guide book deserve particular credit - the lay out was very sensible with the map on the facing page to the description, the maps and descriptions were clear and easy to follow. As a walk description book it is probably one of the best I have used”.

Pete Wainwright Testimonial,

Six Dales Trail - Among the 50 best walking holidays in the UK

Though this two year-old trail passes through some of the most glorious countryside in the Yorkshire Dales it was designed specifically to open up some of the area's lesser-known countryside, and does so brilliantly. Running north for 38 miles from 

Otley, in Wharfedale, to Middleham, in Wensleydale, through four other dales, it passes ruined abbeys, quaint villages and 

wild open countryside.

The INDEPENDENT,