Yorkshire Dales Road Trip
A winding, scenic circular road trip through the Yorkshire Dales—a 100‑mile drive combining exhilarating roads, limestone landscapes, rolling moorland, quaint villages and historic landmarks. It’s ideal for visitors who love driving, culture, nature, and a good café stop.
Useful driving notes
- Best time to go: Late spring through early autumn offers long days, wildflowers, and mild weather. Winter driving can be atmospheric—but roads like Buttertubs may face snow closures.
- Starting location: Grassington – postcode district: BD23
- Distance/time: Approximately 100 miles.
6–8 hours of driving, with optional stops for hikes or museums. Can be done in a day, or split into two (overnight in Hawes or Arncliffe) - Road conditions: Mostly asphalted minor roads; narrow in places—take care at passing places, especially in high season.
- Exciting roads: Buttertubs Pass, Littondale single-track climbs, sweeping bends around Ribblehead and Wharfdale. These are roads built for enjoyment behind the wheel.
- Drive tips: Many rural roads have a lot of blind bends without markings – meaning traffic (potentially at high speed) could be heading towards you without you knowing. Often, rural roads will also have high hedges, trees, and obstructed views.
Tourist attractions
- Landmarks: Skipton Castle, Bolton Abbey, Ribblehead Viaduct, Richmond Castle.
- Nature: Malham Cove, Hardraw Force, Aysgarth Falls, Swaledale’s wildflower valleys.
- Villages: Grassington, Arncliffe, Malham, Hawes, Reeth – each full of character, stone cottages, pubs and hospitality.
- Cultural stops: Wensleydale Creamery, Dales Countryside Museum, Swaledale heritage.
Overview of the Yorkshire Dales Route
This driving loop through the Yorkshire Dales is like a tapestry: it has exciting driving, beautiful scenery, historic sites, cute villages, and natural wonders. It has something for everyone, from the dramatic heights of Buttertubs Pass to the limestone theatre of Malham Cove, from the engineering marvel of Ribblehead to the comfort of Hawes. It’s perfect for tourists who love cars and travellers who are just looking for a new experience.
This loop begins and ends in Grassington (or Skipton), heading north through Pateley Bridge, over Craven Moor, then via Arncliffe, Malham, Ingleton, up to Ribblehead Viaduct, over Buttertubs Pass, through Hawes, Keld, then back via Richmond and Swaledale, returning along Wharfedale to your start point.
It’s a thoughtfully balanced route—every twist brings a vista, every stop offers food, history, or walking.
1. Grassington Start & Wharfedale Drive
Start in Grassington, a charming Georgian-style village with cobbled streets, tearooms, art galleries and small shops. From here, take B6160/Wharfedale Road heading south alongside the River Wharfe. You’ll pass Bolton Abbey, the ruins of a 12th‑century Augustinian priory nestled in wooded riverbanks (Wharfedale Circuit route)
Add a quick stop at Skipton Castle, a well-preserved medieval fortress at the edge of town, before returning toward Grassington to complete this first loop.
2. Grassington to Pateley Bridge via Craven Moor
From Grassington head north via the B6265, climbing over Craven Moor. Enjoy wide moorland views and the gentle curve of the road at a relaxed pace. You’ll descend into Pateley Bridge, a pretty market town by the River Nidd, ideal for a riverside walk and lunch.
3. Pateley Bridge to Arncliffe – entering Littondale
Continue on minor routes that wind up through Littondale to Arncliffe. This tiny village is attractively rustic, with the Falcon Inn, once a filming location for Emmerdale Farm. It’s a perfect spot to stretch your legs and enjoy local ale.
4. Arncliffe to Malham – dramatic limestone country
From Arncliffe take the narrow, twisting road rising out of the valley to reach Malham, about nine miles away. Here you merge into England’s limestone country. Stop for a hike to Malham Cove, the dramatic limestone amphitheatre carved by an Ice Age waterfall. Above it are limestone pavements, and peregrine falcons nest among the crags. Nearby Gordale Scar and Janet Foss waterfall are accessible along the Malham Landscape Trail.
5. Malham to Ingleton & the Ribblehead Viaduct
From Malham, loop west to Ingleton and join the B6255 heading north. Soon you’ll arrive at the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct, a 24‑arched Victorian masterpiece standing 34 m tall across Batty Moss. Pull into a lay‑by and admire the engineering feat and sweeping views across Whernside and Ingleborough peaks.
If time allows, visit White Scar Cave just outside Ingleton.
6. Ribblehead to Hawes via Buttertubs Pass
Continue on the B6255 through bleak moorland, then turn south into Buttertubs Pass (B6270). This dramatic road features steep climbs and hairpin corners, with scenery legendary enough to feature on Top Gear and the 2014 Tour de France route.
Descending into Hawes, a lively market town at the heart of Wensleydale, known for its own waterfall, the Dales Countryside Museum, and proudly home to the Wensleydale Creamery—famous for Wallace & Gromit cheese.
Pop north of town 1.5 miles to Hardraw Force, England’s highest unbroken waterfall, accessed via a ravine walk from behind the Green Dragon Inn—a lovely photo stop, especially after rain.
7. Hawes to Richmond via Swaledale & Tan Hill Inn
From Hawes take minor roads over Buttertubs Pass again, then turn toward Keld and onwards across West Stonesdale high moors to reach Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest pub. Enjoy a refreshment surrounded by sweeping hilltops. Continue south past Reeth and Arkengarthdale, through classic Swaledale scenery of narrow valley roads, dry stone walls, sheep‑scattered meadows, lead‑mining ruins and wildflowers in season.
You arrive at Richmond, a market town by the River Swale. Climb up to Richmond Castle ruins for far‑reaching views, and consider visiting the Theatre Royal, one of England’s oldest Georgian theatres still in use.
8. Richmond back to Grassington via Wharfedale
To close the circle, follow scenic lanes northeast, crossing into Wharfedale, returning via Bolton Abbey and Skipton Castle territory, finishing back in Grassington. Great chances for final photos, local snacks, or even a canal-side pint in Skipton.