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.
Partner · affiliate policy
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
- Most runners complete Burnsall and Appletreewick in 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
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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Runner reports
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.
Start from a town: Grassington 4 km · Skipton 10.4 km · Kettlewell 11.6 km
HARD
VERY HARD
MODERATE
MODERATE
EASYRaces on this ground
All Yorkshire Dales races →Races starting within 20 km of the Burnsall and Appletreewick start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
17
Apr
2027
Burnsall Trail Races
Riverside car park field, Burnsall, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 0 miles away
Riverside paths and stone tracks out of Burnsall, on the Dales Way.
MODERATE TO HARD
Entries open
17
Oct
2026
Ultra Tour of the Yorkshire Dales
Devonshire Institute, 48 Main Street, Grassington, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 3 miles away
Grassington to Malham Tarn, Arncliffe and Wharfedale, with route choice between checkpoints.
VERY HARD TO EXPERT
Entries open
19
Jun
2027
provisional
Kettlewell (Skirfare) Trail Races
Hawkswick Cote car park field, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 7 miles away
Out of Hawkswick Cote into upper Wharfedale, with nine hundred metres of climb on the half.
HARD TO VERY HARD
Not open yet
10
Apr
2027
Skipton Skedaddle
Skipton, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther · 7 miles away
Out of the market town and into the Dales — Malham Tarn, Gordale Scar and Pen-y-ghent on the long one.
HARD TO VERY HARD
Entries open