Six Dales Trail
The Six Dales Trail is a 61 km route from Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales to Middlesbrough — crossing six dales (Airedale, Wharfedale, Nidderdale, Colsterdale, Coverdale and Wensleydale) in a satisfying north-east traverse of the Dales and the North York Moors approaches.
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 Six Dales Trail
The Six Dales Trail crosses some of the finest Yorkshire Dales scenery in a logical south-to-north route from Skipton to the Tees valley. Each dale has a distinct character — Airedale is the starting urban-rural transition, Wharfedale is the classic limestone Dales, Nidderdale is quieter and more enclosed, Colsterdale and Coverdale are wild moorland dales, and Wensleydale is broad and pastoral before the final drop to the north.
For trail runners it is a two day challenge on well-maintained Dales paths.
The route
Skipton to Pateley Bridge (~35 km): Through Bolton Abbey grounds (beautiful), over the Barden Moor to Nidderdale.
Pateley Bridge to Middlesbrough (~26 km): Over the Dales watershed through Coverdale and Wensleydale to the Tees valley.
Getting there & logistics
Start: Skipton. Train from Leeds and Bradford.
Finish: Middlesbrough. Train from Darlington (main line connections).
Best time: April to October.
Safety
The moorland sections between Nidderdale and Wensleydale are the most remote. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Cave Rescue Organisation and Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue cover the Dales sections. Pre-register SMS 999.
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