Burnsall and Appletreewick
One of the more relaxed runs in the Dales — gentle underfoot, easy navigation, and two good pubs along the way. The Wharfe is at its limestone best through here.
Effort: Moderate distance, manageable climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
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Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A scenic valley circuit along both banks of the Wharfe connecting Burnsall and Appletreewick. Easy underfoot with limestone scenery, riverside trails, and two excellent pubs on route.
One of the more relaxed runs in the Dales — gentle underfoot, easy navigation, and two good pubs along the way. The Wharfe is at its limestone best through here.
The route
From the National Park car park in Burnsall, cross the old packhorse bridge and follow the Wharfe downstream before climbing above the river to Appletreewick. The return follows the opposite bank upstream, with views across to Simon's Seat and the limestone scars above.
Character
This is the sociable end of trail running — wide paths, the river never far away, and enough undulation to feel like a run. The New Inn at Appletreewick and the Red Lion at Burnsall both serve food.
River sections can flood after heavy rain — the Wharfe path below Burnsall is occasionally impassable. Stiles and gates throughout.
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
Run by us· last checked June 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
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Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
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