Best trail runs in the Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales rewards runners with long open ridges, hidden valleys, and some of the best limestone scenery in the country. These are the routes that showcase it best.
24routes
EXPERTKettlewell Ultra
Proper Dales miles — limestone scars, wide skies, and the kind of distance that sorts out who's eaten their breakfast. This is a full day out.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERT
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Malham
A full 50km day that strings together the cove, the tarn and two major summits, a serious long-distance challenge through the heart of the Dales.
EXPERTYorkshire Three Peaks Extended
A big day out on the most recognisable skyline in the Dales — three distinct summits, 1500m of climbing, and a finish that earns its beer.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERTYorkshire Three Peaks Circuit
Three summits, 1600m of ascent, and a finish back in Horton means that you have definitely earned a drink.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERT
Skipton 6 Peaks
Six distinct summits in one big day, a proper local challenge that strings together the gritstone crags and moors ringing Skipton.
VERY HARD
Wharfedale Three Peaks
Three big Wharfedale summits with none of the crowds or paved paths, just rough moorland, bog and proper navigation across the roof of the dale.
VERY HARD
Great Shunner Fell from Thwaite
A long ridge walk on the Pennine Way with nothing but open fell, curlews, and a sky that seems twice the size of everywhere else.
VERY HARD
Whernside and Ingleborough from Ribblehead
Two of the Three Peaks in one shapely loop, beginning and ending at the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct with a railway cafe waiting at the finish.
VERY HARD
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent
Two contrasting Dales summits in one long loop, with the lonely moorland of Fountains Fell giving way to the unmistakable stepped profile of Pen-y-ghent.
EXPERT
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Settle
Town-to-summit running at its best, starting from Settle's cobbles and reaching the wild tops of Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent before the long loop home.
VERY HARDSkipton Moor, Bolton Abbey and Barden Moor
A proper long day stitching together terrain most runners split into two separate outings. Bolton Abbey woods make a welcome change of scene at the halfway mark.
Checked Jun 2026
HARD
Ingleborough and Little Ingleborough from Ingleton
The quieter western approach to Ingleborough, building over Little Ingleborough to the iconic plateau summit at 724m before the long descent back to Ingleton.
VERY HARDWelcome to Skipton
The full Skipton picture in one run: moor above, canal below, and the Craven countryside in between. A proper long day out from one of the best trail running towns in the Dales.
Checked Jun 2026
HARD
Buckden Pike from Buckden
A steep grassy climb rewards you with one of the best viewpoints in the southern Dales — Wharfedale laid out below in both directions.
HARDBarden Moor from Embsay Reservoir
Big moorland miles with a mid-route riverside section through Bolton Abbey woods. Covers proper ground without the serious climbing of the Dales fells.
Checked Jun 2026
HARD
Pen-y-ghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale
A short, punchy mountain loop with a hands-on rocky step near the top, the most accessible of the Yorkshire Three Peaks summits.
HARD
Whernside from Ribblehead
The most efficient way to bag the highest of the Three Peaks, a compact loop with a superb ridge and the Ribblehead Viaduct bookending the run.
VERY HARDSkipton to Pinhaw Beacon and Back via Pennine Way and Canal
Pinhaw Beacon is the high point of the Pennine Way's opening stretch out of Edale, and this route takes you up to it and back without needing to commit to the rest of the trail.
Checked Jun 2026
HARD
Malham Cove and Malham Tarn
The classic Malham circuit, joining the cove, its dramatic limestone pavement and the glittering tarn into one flowing mid-distance loop.
HARDSkipton Moor and Farnhill Pinnacle
More rewarding than it looks from the map. Skipton Moor has a real open-sky feel, and Farnhill Pinnacle is a genuinely odd and photogenic landmark.
Checked Jun 2026
HARDBarden Moor Long Loop
This loop crosses genuine open moorland with long sightlines over Wharfedale, on access land that's free to roam off the main tracks if you want to vary your line.
Checked Jun 2026
HARDSettle Loop
Classic Dales limestone running — pavements, green lanes, and big views for modest effort. Settle is one of the best trail running towns in the Dales.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATEBarden Moor from Embsay Reservoir (Short)
Open moor with big skies and a reservoir to frame the start. Compact enough for a summer evening run — good tracks throughout.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATESharp Haw from Skipton
Sharp Haw looks unremarkable from a distance and then turns into a proper short, steep pull right at the end - a disproportionate amount of summit feeling for a hill this size.
Checked Jun 2026
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