National Park Walks with Kids: The Yorkshire Dales

WE LOVE THE YORKSHIRE DALES!

Here at the Reluctant Explorers, we are so lucky to have such an incredible National Park right on our doorstep. It is literally oozing with ALL of the amazing outdoors-ness, which is probably why it was voted best National Park in Europe by Trip Advisor back in 2021.

Not that I’m bragging…

Just kidding, I absolutely AM bragging! Because it’s a BRILLIANT place to explore with the kids. There are oodles of waterfalls ranging from beautiful, to downright blinking awesome. There are caves! But not just the ones that are for those cave expert guys, these are ones you can see with your very own eyes. There are peaks, with views that will take your breath away.

And there is nothing like a Yorkshire welcome!

So here are our absolute favourite places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales National Park!

CLAPHAM:

We love this little village! Nestled at the base of Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Clapham may be small, but it packs a big punch! It is home to one of our favourite Yorkshire Dales walks, that begins at the spectacular waterfall at the start of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail.

The route takes you through the woodland and past the lake of the Ingleborough Estate then alongside Clapham Beck, which flows out from the depths of Ingleborough Cave. Here, you can take a detour into this spectacular show cave, filled with underground waterfalls and mirror pools that feature alongside the fascinating rock formations, created over the course of millions of years! Absolutely stunning! (Did I mention they also sell ice-cream and have a picnic area? What could be better?!)

If you venture further along the path from here, you will reach the deep gorge of Trow Gill. Its towering rock faces are a haven for climbers, and line the route that eventually takes you up to the summit of Ingleborough. But never fear, you don’t have to conquer the summit of the second highest peak in the Dales, you can make a stop at the epic Gaping Gill, which is England’s highest single drop subterranean waterfall.

Unless you head there on the day of the caving club’s annual winch, which takes you down into the depths of the massive cavern below your feet, you won’t be able to see the waterfall from the bottom. But you will be able to witness the spray from the force of the water, rising like smoke from the gaping black chasm. Sounds dramatic right?! Well, it is!

The icing on the kid friendly cake? When you get back to the start again, there is a brilliant play area at Clapham too! Bet you can see why we love it so much!

If you are headed to the Dales, why not check out the full details, along with a blow-by-blow guide to the walk route at The Reluctant Explorers: Yorkshire Walking With Kids — Gaping Gill

THE WENSLEYDALE WATERFALLS:

Wensleydale is jam packed full of waterfalls! And we love waterfalls!

You’ll therefore understand exactly why Wensleydale is one of our favourite places to come in the Dales! You may have heard of the famous Aysgarth Falls, or perhaps even the highest single drop waterfall in England, Hardraw Force, but there are so many more secret waterfalls to find that we love, Cauldron Falls in West Burton, the super accessible Cotter Force (both pushchair and wheelchair friendly) or Aysgill Force, you are literally spoilt for choice (and that’s not even all of them!)

We have chosen our favourite walk, that takes you to two of them! Mill Gill Force and Whitfield Gill Force are located just outside Askrigg and are two spectacular falls. The walk really showcases some of the best bits of the Dales. Aside from the waterfalls, you will start in the quaint village of Askrigg, head through meadowland (amazing in late Spring/ early summer), and walk back with panoramic views towards the stunning Wensleydale peaks.

Loving the sound of it? Askrigg is also home to several pubs and a tearoom, and just down the road is the play area at Bainbridge! You could even head down the road a little further to Hawes, where you will find more waterfalls, the Dales Countryside Museum and also the factory where the world famous Wensleydale cheese is made.

‘Cracking walk Gromit!’

KETTLEWELL, UPPER WHARFEDALE:

This area is just jam-packed with kid friendly things to do! There really is something for everybody. For the youngest explorers, Kettlewell is a brilliant place to stop by. The walk to the stepping stones over the River Wharfe is the perfect length for little legs, with loads of opportunities to get down to the water’s edge and throw stones or paddle in the shallow water. There is also a play park, and a permanently stationed Ice Cream kiosk! For you year round Ice Cream desires!

If you fancy more of a challenge, then why not bag yourself a Yorkshire Peak too? Great Whernside is the 6th highest peak in the Dales (not to be confused with Whernside, the tallest of the Yorkshire Peaks!) and is the perfect climb from Kettlewell!