6 Dales Trail

A point-to-point long-distance walk from Otley Market Square to Middleham Market Square, one way, with no return leg. Plan on 38 miles (about 61 km), the official rounded figure; route measurement cross-checks put it at roughly 38.2 miles. Most walkers split it over about three days, and the trail is waymarked throughout.

From Otley you cross the River Wharfe and climb by Kell Beck past the hospital and Clifton into the Washburn Valley, passing an ancient packhorse bridge and the Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs, then woodland and Thruscross Reservoir. Fields by Padside Green lead into the Nidd Valley and Nidderdale AONB, with Pateley Bridge close to the midpoint.

The second half is bigger country: a disused railway track above Gouthwaite Reservoir to Bouthwaite, the climb over Fountains Earth Moor, a descent past Roundhill and Leighton reservoirs, Grimes Gill into Colsterdale and the Leeds Pals Memorial, then Ellingstring and High Jervaulx. You pass Jervaulx Abbey, follow the River Ure to Cover Bridge, dip into Coverdale, and climb for views over Wensleydale and Middleham Castle before finishing in the town square.

Rated 8/10. No single section is technical, but the trail crosses the five watersheds between Wharfedale, Washburndale, Nidderdale, Colsterdale, Coverdale and Wensleydale, so the climbs keep coming. Underfoot you get quiet pastures, riverside paths, woodland, farm tracks, bridleways, field crossings, lanes and short road crossings, plus historic parkland.

The high heather moorland is the serious part. Fountains Earth Moor and the ground around the upper reservoirs are open and exposed, with little shelter and few escape options in wind, rain or low cloud. Carry map, compass and full waterproofs, and be ready for slow, wet ground after rain.

• Pateley Bridge sits almost halfway and has accommodation, cafes and local shops, which makes it a natural overnight or resupply stop.
• Because the walk finishes far from where it starts, you need to arrange staged accommodation and public transport for each day and for the journey home.
• The published route guide breaks the trail into 14 sections and includes accommodation, eating and public-transport information.

Dogs are welcome on public rights of way, but keep them on a lead in fields with livestock and on a short lead from March to July to protect ground-nesting birds, and under close control near wildlife, people and water. The trail also crosses land outside the National Park, so treat leads and close control as the working rule the whole way and follow any signs you meet.

Otley has several signposted town-centre car parks within easy walking distance of the market square, which suits a start-day drop-off or a park-and-transport plan. At the Middleham end there are public toilets beside the main square, but the town council does not permit long-term parking in its town-waste areas, so do not plan on leaving a vehicle there for the duration. Leaving the car at one end and using buses or a lift for the other is the simpler approach.