Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales
The Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales is a 130 km circular route through the Dales linking traditional country inns in Settle, Grassington, Kettlewell, Buckden, Hawes, Horton and Malham — a route designed explicitly around comfortable overnight stops in historic pubs.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Inn Way to the Yorkshire Dales
The Inn Way series was designed by Mark Reid — circular routes through classic landscapes connecting traditional country inns at the right distance apart for comfortable overnight stages. The Yorkshire Dales version is the flagship route, linking some of the finest pubs in one of England's most beautiful national parks in a seven-stage circuit.
For trail runners the Inn Way works well as a fast two or three day circuit — the stages that take walkers a full day can be combined into longer running days. The terrain is classic Dales: limestone pavements, riverside paths, moorland ridges, Malham Cove and Gordale Scar.
The route
Settle → Grassington → Kettlewell → Buckden → Hawes → Horton → Malham → Settle: The circuit visits Malham Cove (spectacular limestone amphitheatre), Gordale Scar (waterfall gorge), Pen-y-ghent, Kilnsey Crag and the Wharfedale and Wensleydale dales.
Getting there & logistics
Base: Settle. Train on the Settle–Carlisle line from Skipton (Leeds/Bradford).
The route is designed around overnight stays at the named inns — book ahead in summer. Running the circuit in two to three days is very achievable.
Best time: Year-round. The Dales are at their best in summer but passable in winter.
Safety
The Yorkshire Dales terrain is moorland and limestone — generally well-drained but with navigation needed on the higher moor sections. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Cave Rescue Organisation covers the Dales. Pre-register SMS 999.
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