I’m lucky enough to call Yorkshire home, and have spent years exploring this incredible part of the country from top to bottom. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is full of beautiful places – from dramatic summits and pretty waterfalls to historic castles and abbeys. There are many different and distinct dales, but the main areas are Wharfedale, Malhamdale, Ribblesdale, Dentdale, Wensleydale, and Swaledale. I’ve also included a few spots in Nidderdale to visit, too. With so many amazing places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales, it’s hard to narrow it down. But here’s my pick of the best spots in this amazing national park.

Malhamdale

Malham

Malham is one of my favorite places in all of the Yorkshire Dales – it’s somewhere I always bring people visiting me as it encompasses so many spectacular landscapes. The village of Malham itself is tiny, but the real attractions lie just outside of the village, and easily accessed on a 5-mile walk. Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar are two legendary waterfalls – follow the trails up above the ridge and you’ll come to Malham Cove, one of the most extraordinary features in Yorkshire. The limestone pavement and the dramatic drop-off at the cove (a favorite spot for experienced climbers) offer one of the best views in the country.

Read More: Hiking in the Yorkshire Dales: Malham

Nidderdale

Fountain’s Abbey

Technically outside of the national park boundaries in Nidderdale AONB, Fountain’s Abbey is one of the most magnificent set of abbey ruins in Yorkshire – and in England as a whole. Dating back to the 12th century, the abbey fell into ruins following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s. The grounds are beautiful to explore, as the site is shared with Studley Royal – an 18th-century water garden.

Read More: Visiting the Magnificent Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal

Pateley Bridge

This pretty town is perfect for a quick stop when you’re visiting Nidderdale. The pretty high street is home to the oldest sweet shop in England, dating back to 1827. While you’re in the area, drive out to nearby Coldstones Cut. It’s the largest and highest public artwork (1,375 feet above sea level) overlooking a quarry.

Wharfedale

Buckden Pike

Buckden Pike boasts lovely views over the dale (if you get a view, that is!), but the hike up following Buckden Gill is exciting and full of little waterfalls. There’s a memorial near the summit to the five Polish airmen who crashed here in a snowstorm in 1942.

Great Whernside

Along with Buckden Pike and Birks Fell, Great Whernside is one of the Wharfedale Three Peaks – the highest fells in Wharfedale. But this is an excellent peak to summit on its own, following the circular route from the pretty village of Kettlewell. The views over the rolling green hills and drystone walls are quintessential Yorkshire Dales.

Read More: Upper Wharfedale: The Great Whernside Hike from Kettlewell

Kettlewell

This is a charming little village in Upper Wharfedale, and the starting point for many popular walks in the Yorkshire Dales. There are two hotels/pubs here, right next to the River Wharfe, along with a café, a village shop, a hostel, and a campsite. If you’re wanting a base in the Yorkshire Dales to relax somewhere quiet, this would be a great place to stay.

Grassington

Grassington is one of the top places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales – there are so many great hikes from here, many centered around the River Wharfe. My favorite is the short loop to Hebden on High Lane, and back along the river. The town itself is like stepping back in time – it’s so charming that it was used as the main film location for the TV series All Creatures Great and Small. There are plenty of cafes, pubs, shops, and places to stay here.

Read More: Exploring Wharfedale: Hiking From Grassington to Hebden in the Yorkshire Dales

Linton Falls and Linton

This waterfall on the River Wharfe is easily accessed from Grassington, making it a popular choice for visitors to the Dales. The river cascades over the limestone rocks, and there is a bridge here that’s perfect for snapping photos. Further down the river, near the church, there’s a set of stepping stones across the river. Across the Wharfe about half a mile away, you’ll find the pretty village of Linton and a great pub, the Fountaine Inn.

Burnsall

Another pretty village along the River Wharfe is Burnsall. On a sunny summer’s day, there’s nowhere better to be in the Dales than here – there are ample swimming opportunities along the riverbanks. Head north along the river towards Hebden and you’ll find even more swim spots. There’s an excellent pub here, the Red Lion, right in the heart of the village.

Wensleydale

Aysgarth Falls

One of the most well-known waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales is Aysgarth Falls – it can’t be missed. The River Ure falls over three separate cascades – Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls – over about a mile in Wensleydale. It has been used as a filming location, most notably in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It’s easy to walk between the different sections – expect the Upper Falls to be very busy with families in nice weather.

Read More: A Quick Guide to Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales

Bolton Castle

This impressive castle in Wensleydale is located in the village of Castle Bolton – yes, it’s easy to get the names mixed up. Mary Queen of Scots was held in the castle here for six months, and there’s plenty to explore. Make sure to climb all the way to the top for amazing views over the pretty Dales scenery from the roof! There’s a great hike you can do from Bolton Castle to Carperby and Aysgarth Falls as a loop.

West Burton

West Burton is a pretty village in Bishopdale, one of the smaller dales around Wensleydale. There’s a pretty village green, along with a good pub. But the real attraction is to see Cauldron Falls, an impressive waterfall and perfect swim spot tucked away from the village.

Hawes

A bustling market town, pretty scenery, access to lots of waterfalls, and the best cheese in the county – Hawes really does have it all. It’s a busy hub in Wensleydale, and home to the Wensleydale Creamery (plenty of different kinds of Wensleydale cheese to take home!). While the most popular nearby waterfall is a bit further away in Hardraw, it’s also easy to access Aysgill Force and Cotter Force from Hawes.

Read More: Hawes, Hardraw Force, and More: Waterfalls in Wensleydale

Hardraw Force

This is England’s highest single-drop waterfall (above ground, that is – Gaping Gill is actually the highest). It’s about 30 meters high, and falls into a dramatic pool. This was a famous film location for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – it’s where Robin Hood goes swimming and is spotted by Maid Marian! The waterfall is on private land and accessed from the Green Dragon pub in Hardraw. There is an admission charge of £4 to walk and see the waterfall.

Swaledale

Buttertubs Pass

Swaledale is my favorite dale in all of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s such a wonderful area, and I never get tired of exploring it. One of the best ways to enter Swaledale is to drive from Hawes and Wensleydale via Buttertubs Pass. This is a high road, with spectacular scenery on either side. It’s just under 6 miles from Hawes to Thwaite.

Reeth

One of my favorite places in Swaledale is Reeth. There are so many great walks to do here – you can walk along the River Swale to Grinton, or head up Fremington Edge. The pretty village green is usually filled up with cars, but there are several pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shops to choose from. If you don’t want to be somewhere too remote, this would be a great choice to base yourself and stay overnight in Swaledale. There’s a museum here, and don’t miss the ice cream parlor!

Read More: The Prettiest Villages to Visit in Swaledale

Gunnerside

This is a small, cute village in Swaledale. There’s not much here besides a pub and a tearoom, but Gunnerside is quiet and the starting point for some good hikes. Head up Gunnerside Beck to see the remaining mining ruins at Gunnerside Gill. You can also head down the River Swale to Ivelet Bridge – this is one of my favorite swim spots in Swaledale.

Muker

My favorite place in Swaledale has to be Muker, a gorgeous village with many charming stone cottages. There’s a small local museum, an art gallery, a tearoom, a village shop, a pub, and a woolen clothing shop. But the best reason to come here is to see the wildflowers bloom around June in the Muker Meadows. They are phenomenal, and I’ve visited Muker every summer at this time to see the flowers in bloom. My favorite walk is along the River Swale to Keld, and heading up to the ruins of Crackpot Hall. The view over the valley from there is one of the best in the county.

Read More: Exploring Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales: Hiking Around Muker, Keld, and More!

Tan Hill Inn

The Tan Hill Inn is the highest pub in the country – how could it not make this list?! It’s 1,732 feet (528 meters) above sea level, and it’s a lovely pub. Wooden beams, flagstone floors, and a warm fire welcome you to this unique spot. There are no other buildings around for miles, so you get a true sense of remoteness here. But that’s not always a good thing: in 2021, a group of about 60 people were snowed in at the pub after a winter storm dropped several feet of snow overnight.

Ribblesdale

Ingleborough (from Clapham)

One of my favorite hikes in the Yorkshire Dales? It has to be Ingleborough from the village of Clapham. This classic walk, past Ingleborough Cave and the magical Gaping Gill, and back along the limestone pavement, is one of the best in the country. As one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the summit of Ingleborough is usually busy with other hikers – but the rest of the walk is surprisingly (and pleasantly) quiet.

Read More: Hiking Ingleborough From Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales

Gaping Gill

Gaping Gill is one of the largest caves in the country. It’s also home to the longest unbroken waterfall in England – although as it’s underground, some people forget about it. It’s only accessible to the public on two weekends each year, when the local pothole clubs set up a chair winch to take people the 98 meters down into the cave. This was easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever done! If you haven’t seen Gaping Gill yet, put it on your Yorkshire bucket list now.

Read More: How to Visit Gaping Gill Cave in the Yorkshire Dales

Pen-y-Ghent

Another of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, most people hike Pen-y-Ghent from the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Although the summit is 694 meters high, it’s not an overly difficult hike – the paths are well-maintained. For a lot of kids growing up around the Dales, it’s the first big peak they’ll bag. On the descent, you can see Hull Pot, a collapsed cavern.

Read More: Exploring the Yorkshire Dales: Hiking Pen-y-Ghent

Ribblehead Viaduct and Whernside

One of the most iconic sights in Yorkshire: the Ribblehead Viaduct. Stretching 400 meters and spanning 24 arches, this viaduct is one place you can’t miss in the Yorkshire Dales. The train line is still in regular use, as trains on the Settle-Carlisle line pass over the viaduct. It’s also the starting point for the hike up Whernside, the highest peak in Yorkshire at 736 meters.

Read More: Whernside: The Highest Peak in Yorkshire

Ingleton

Ingleton is home to a great walk: the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. The walk is under 5 miles, but passes through scenic landscapes and beautiful waterfalls – Thornton Force is always a favorite. Note that there is an admission charge to access the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, as it is on private property. Nearby is White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in the country.

Read More: Waterfalls, Caves, and More: Exploring Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales

Catrigg Force

Close to the village of Stainforth, Catrigg Force is a beautiful waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s tucked away in a secluded glen – if you didn’t know it was there, you’d walk right past! It’s an uphill hike from the village, taking about 25-30 minutes. This is a great spot for wild swimming.

Scaleber Force

Scaleber Force is just outside the market town of Settle in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s right next to the road – High Hill Lane – and easy to access, just take care on the steep paths down to the bottom. This is another great spot for wild swimming in the Dales. With all the hot weather when I visited, the waterfall was just a trickle!

Dentdale

Dent

Dentdale is a bit of an awkward area to get to in the Yorkshire Dales – it’s no close to any main roads, so it takes a while to get there. But it’s absolutely worth it. The main town in Dentdale is Dent, which is like stepping back in time: cobblestone streets and charming stone cottages abound. There’s a museum, two cafés, two pubs, and a village shop. This quiet village is a perfect place to visit to explore the Yorkshire Dales – it’s actually located in the county of Cumbria, but is still within the national park boundary.

Sedbergh

This town is also in the county of Cumbria, but still within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Regardless of its geographical curiosities, it’s a wonderful spot in the Dales. With more and more second-hand bookshops springing up, it’s becoming known as the Town of Books in England – like Hay-on-Wye in Wales and Wigtown in Scotland. There are lots of shops, cafes, restaurants, and pubs to wander in between shopping for books. Sedbergh also has easy access to walks in the Howgills, and it’s not that far from the fells of the Lake District, too.

Read More: How to Spend a Weekend Around the Howgills, Cumbria

Wild Boar Fell

Mallerstang and the Howgills are true hidden gems in the Yorkshire Dales – these hills in the Cumbrian part of the national park offer some of the best hillwalking in the area. Wild Boar Fell is one of the most notable, and has exceptional views over the surrounding valleys and across to the southern fells of the Lake District. There are many different routes up to the summit – I went up from Cotegill Bridge and bagged nearby Swarth Fell, too.

Cautley Spout and the Calf

Cautley Spout is the highest cascade waterfall in England, so it can’t be missed on a trip to the Yorkshire Dales. It’s relatively easy to walk to from the Cross Keys Temperance Inn – an alcohol-free pub on the A683. Cautley Spout looks like something out of Lord of the Rings! I recommend hiking up past the waterfall to the summit of the Calf, which offers incredible views over the area.

Planning Your Trip to the Yorkshire Dales

There is a lot to see and do in the Yorkshire Dales, and for most places you’ll need a car to get there. However, there is some public transportation available. The Settle to Carlisle railway line stops at popular stations like Ribbleshead, Garsdale, and Kirkby Stephen. I use Trainline to book my train tickets. DalesBus runs services in the heart of the Dales. There are actually quite a few year-long services, although the network runs more options on Sundays during the summer months. If you’re flying into the Yorkshire Dales, the nearest airport is Leeds Bradford – although Manchester is much larger with more options. I use Skyscanner to book flights.

There are so many places to stay in the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll really be spoiled for choice. Where you stay in the Dales will depend on a number of things: whether you have a car or are relying on public transport, what you want to see, your budget, and whether you want a secluded getaway or to be close to lots of amenities.

For convenient stays with plenty of choices for shopping and dining, I recommend basing yourself in:

• Swaledale: Reeth
• Wensleydale: Hawes
• Wharfedale: Grassington
• Ribblesdale: Settle
• Dentdale: Sedbergh

If you’re looking for a quieter experience, I’d recommend small villages or unique rural accommodation. One of my dreams is to someday stay in a glamping pod with a hot tub somewhere in the Dales! You can search for accommodation using the map below.

Booking.com

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

If you’re looking for a tour to the Yorkshire Dales, check out these options!

I love exploring the Yorkshire Dales – living so close to this national park is one of the best parts of my life in Yorkshire. There are so many good places to visit, cozy pubs, charming villages, excellent walks, and spectacular landscapes to enjoy here. I hope this post helps planning your trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

Have you been to the Yorkshire Dales before? What were your favorite places?

You might also like my posts:

The Ultimate Yorkshire Guide: 88 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire

The Best Abbeys in Yorkshire, England

Hiking Ingleborough From Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales

How to Spend a Weekend Around the Howgills, Cumbria

The Prettiest Villages to See in Swaledale

21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors

The Best Walks in and Around York, England

The Best Car-Free Walks From York, England

All of my Yorkshire posts and York posts!

Like this post? Pin it for later!