The best way to enjoy the ‘Dales 30’ mountains is to organize a series of weekend breaks across the different areas of the Dales. Each village/town in the list below has its own distinctive character and, coupled with direct access to at least 2 days worth of hill climbing, will make for a lovely break.
Each of the villages (selected below) are perfect for a weekend stay. They are full of character, have a choice of places to eat (and drink) and epitomise the distinctiveness of the Dales. In addition there is a good choice of accommodation from guest houses, country pubs, self catering cottages and nearby campsites.
There are six weekends perfect for climbing the ‘Dales 30’ mountains.
A pretty, very traditional village in the heart of Wharfedale. The village is tucked in between steep sided mountains.
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Popular for the Ingleton waterfalls, Ingleton makes an excellent base for the higher (quieter!) mountains beyond.
The cobbled, narrow streets of Dent make for a get away from it all stay in beautiful Dentdale. Quiet, mainly because it is difficult to get to, and all the better for it!
Hawes is an attractive small, market town in Upper Wensleydale in the heart of the Dales. It can be busy but has a good choice of places to eat.
‘England’s Book Town’ is a spacious town dominated by the incomparable Howgill Fells.
Kirkby Stephen is not often visited (except by those doing the Coast to Coast walk) which is a shame as it has a distinctive character based on an interesting history.
Best to use the train on these walks, one way to Garsdale and walk back each side of Mallerstang.
The following also make very enjoyable stays for a weekend with some very short driving to the walks.
Keld: Rogan’s Seat is on the doorstep and a short drive to Thwaite takes you to the northern approaches to Great Shunner Fell and Lovely Seat.
Kirkby Lonsdale: A short drive to Barbon for a climb of Calf Top and an equally short drive for the Great Coum/Gragareth long circular.
Horton-in-Ribblesdale: Two of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks are accessible here, Ingleborough (with Simon’s Fell) and Pen-y-Ghent (with Plover Hill).
Complete these weekends and there will be very few of the ‘Dales 30’ mountains to complete.
Enjoy your walking
Jonathan
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