Yorkshire Dales National Park
Limestone cliffs, dry stone walls and open fell tops make this North Yorkshire park a walking destination, reached most easily by car or train.
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The Yorkshire Dales National Park is in North Yorkshire, in the north of England. Its limestone hills, river valleys, dry stone walls and small farming villages are the main draw. The best-known sights are Malham Cove, a tall curved limestone cliff near the village of Malham, and the Three Peaks: Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, three fells that many walkers try to climb in one day. Ribblehead Viaduct, a long railway bridge on the Settle to Carlisle line, is another stop for visitors.
Walking is the main reason to go, from short valley loops to full-day climbs. Hawes, a market town in Wensleydale, is a practical base with shops, cafes and places to stay. Drive to the park, or take a train to Settle on the Settle to Carlisle line, which is close to Malham. Spring through early autumn suits most walks, while winter fells can be cold and icy. Plan at least two or three days to see the main sights without rushing.
Yorkshire Dales National Park in five
- Do not light barbecues or campfiresThe park authority says no barbecues or campfires in the National Park, and encourages people not to light fires anywhere. Dry weather raises the risk.
- Pick one valley per dayThe authority lists Malham Cove, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Ribblehead Viaduct, Hawes, the Ingleton Waterfall Trail, Gordale Scar and Hardraw Force. They are far apart, so pick one area a day.
- Start at a National Park Visitor CentreThe authority runs visitor centres with maps, walk leaflets and weather advice. Visit one the day you arrive for current path and parking notes.
- Check train and bus options before you rely on themThe authority has a travel information section with train and bus options. Services thin out in the dales, so confirm each leg on National Rail or the bus operator.
- Park only in signed car parksThe authority lists car parks and toilets in the park. Arrive early at Malham and Ingleton in summer, since village streets and verges are not for parking.
Things to do in Yorkshire Dales National Park
See all attractions in Yorkshire Dales National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Open access landscape; car parks and attractions charge separately
- Permits
- None for walking; no barbecues or campfires
- Season
- Open all year; check weather before high walks
- Nearest town
- Hawes, Settle, Skipton and Grassington
- Getting there
- Car from Leeds, York or Lancaster; trains to Skipton and Settle
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain18 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low0°Cold, snowJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 192 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low1°Cold, snowFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cool, lambsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 167 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, lambs
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Mild, greenAprilRain
Best
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Mild, long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain21 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 190 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 171 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 207 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain17 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°Wet, short daysNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- DecemberRain20 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Cold, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 201 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, short days
Average daily high and low in Hawes, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Yorkshire Dales National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Yorkshire Dales National Park
08:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today7°3°3%Monday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue7°5°27%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed7°4°4%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu7°4°10%Thursday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Fri6°4°10%Friday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat6°4°14%Saturday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun6°1°6%Sunday: Fog. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 04:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Yorkshire Dales National Park
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Rules for Yorkshire Dales National Park, checked
- Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority: do not light barbecues or campfires in the National Park, and people are encouraged not to light fires anywhere.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Yorkshire Dales National Park
York, the moors and the coast
Read the guideNorth York MoorsHeather moors on the eastern side of the county
Read the guideYorkA walled city a car or train ride away
Read the guideLake DistrictFells and lakes across the Pennines
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsHire cars and rural rail links
Read the guideAll of EnglandCities, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideYorkshire Dales National Park FAQ
How many days do you need in the Yorkshire Dales?
Two to three days cover Malham, a waterfall trail and Hawes or the Three Peaks. A weekend works if you stay in one valley, and a day trip from York or Leeds rarely does it justice.
Can you visit the Yorkshire Dales without a car?
Partly: trains reach Skipton and Settle, and buses and local taxis cover some valleys. Many trailheads need a car, so confirm each leg on National Rail and bus timetables.
Are barbecues allowed in the Yorkshire Dales?
No. The National Park Authority says not to light barbecues or campfires in the park, and discourages disposable barbecues. Check the authority's fire safety page, especially in dry summer weather.
What is there to see in the Yorkshire Dales?
Malham Cove and Gordale Scar, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Ribblehead Viaduct, Hawes and waterfalls such as Hardraw Force and the Ingleton Waterfall Trail. They are far apart, so choose one cluster per day.
When is the best time to visit the Yorkshire Dales?
May, June, September and October for walking weather and quieter paths. July and August are busiest at Malham and Ingleton, and winter can bring snow on the high ground.