Where2walk presents the best walks in the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District, the North York Moors and the best places to stay to fully appreciate them. In the last few years I have now added Northumberland and North Wales, both superb, but very different, walking areas. Each walk is FREE to use, to follow and download Malham Cove There are over 600 individual walks on this website and they form the bedrock of the website. There are also Long Distance Walks, Overseas Walks and Walking Challenges. Just look for them under the tab 'Our Walks'. As well as planning what I believe is the best route I have taken the photographs, designed the maps, written the description and even discovered the joys of plotting a GPS route! It has been a real labour of love. About Me My own love of walking came from the cradle. Family holidays were always spent in the Lake District and climbing the fells was a major part of any visit. I have since completed the Munros (and Tops!) in Scotland, trained and completed a Mountain Leader course, written mountain guide books including the 'Dales 30' and enjoyed walking and climbing in Europe. and beyond. If you would like to find out more about my love for the outdoors and why I enjoy it so much visit my About Me page. Alternatively see what The Guardian journalist wrote about after a couple of days walking in the Yorkshire Dales with me. Grasmere 1. Individual Walks There are 500 plus one day walks described on this website. To make it easier to find the walk suiting you best I have separated them in to a series of categories (Short walks, Historical walks, Mountain walks, Lakeside walks etc:). Each walk is included in the areas below and then sub divided in to categories. Walking in the Yorkshire Dales Walks in the North York Moors and Coast Walks in the Lake District Walks in Northumberland Walks in North Wales On entering the area on the website there is a map to choose the walks from or the filter system described above. Sale on the Caudale Round Describing the Walks I have walked each of the 500 plus routes in the last 10 years, some many times. All the facts that you need are on each individual walking page, where you start, how long it is, how much climbing, nearby pubs and most importantly a small sketch map giving a rough indication of the route. There is also my own (honest) thoughts on the walks, the best bits and the less good. I am always of the opinion than any walk is better than none but some are more enjoyable than others! The three random examples below show the variety of walks on the site, there is one for everyone. Some popular, some undiscovered, some easy, some hard. What you will not find on these pages is detailed route descriptions (turn left at this style, turn right 132 metres down that bridleway etc). Not only does this leave the walker at a complete loss if they lose their way at any point but it also takes away from the real joys of walking. I love to explore, change my route and take in to account weather and other factors. I like to see what is around the next corner. However each walk can only be taken at your own discretion, the final decision whether to go is yours alone. 2. More than a day walk? Away from the individual Day walks (which form the bedrock of the website) there are other types of walks which I enjoy. Long Distance/Multi Day walks and how to book on to one, Walking Challenges such as the Munros, Wainwrights, the Dales 30, the Top 500 summits and taking a Mountain Leader qualification Walking Overseas - the only area where there is some outside contributors. River Ure, Wensleydale 3. Join our Navigation Courses or Guiding Days One of my firmest held beliefs is that everyone should be able to read and use a map of the area you plan to walk in and therefore be able to take responsibility for themselves. We offer 1 or 2 Day Navigation Courses to help. Alternatively Hire a Guide for the day. Blencathra 4. Books on the Mountains of Britain Over the years I have written a number of guide books (in collaboration with my brother, Barry) on the upland areas of Britain. These are self published and in the case of the very popular 'Dales 30' book only available via this website and a few selected independent book shops. 'Dales 30' Mountains of the Yorkshire and Cumbrian Dales Yorkshire 3 Peaks, both a guide, a history and a discussion 'The Peaks 75', the best hills of the Peak District The Hills of the Severn Valley The Top 500 Summits of Britain including every mountain over 2,400 feet with a 500 foot drop 5. About Each Area; Lakes, Dales & Moors Striding out over the vast moorlands of the Yorkshire Dales or the North York Moors and the ridges of the Lake District is unforgettable and enjoyable for all. A friend of mine once told me he liked the Lakes for its drama and excitement but actually preferred the open vista and quieter villages of the Dales and the Moors. It is all about opinions and all I would ask is to test some of these walks and decide for yourselves. You will find my top tips, favourite places to stay and how best to enjoy each area within my Area Information pages on the website. More than anything Where2walk is a reflection of the love I hold for the upland areas of Britain and how much I enjoy walking in it. If I can encourage a few more people to try and enjoy the outdoors then Where2walk has been a success. Jonathan
