Trail running routes in Yorkshire Dales · 18
Limestone pavements, moorland and valleys. Runnable in most conditions.
18
Routes
18.4km
Avg distance
9,211m
Total ascent
Areas
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18 routes
HARDBarden Moor from Embsay Reservoir
Big moorland miles with a mid-route riverside section through Bolton Abbey woods. Covers proper ground without the serious climbing of the Dales fells.
Checked Jun 20261 ran this
MODERATEBarden Moor from Embsay Reservoir (Short)
Open moor with big skies and a reservoir to frame the start. Compact enough for a summer evening run — good tracks throughout.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATEBolton Abbey Loop
Priory ruins, limestone riverside, and the Strid - one of the most dramatic river narrows in England. This is Wharfedale at its most photogenic.
MODERATEBurnsall and Appletreewick
One of the more relaxed runs in the Dales — gentle underfoot, easy navigation, and two good pubs along the way. The Wharfe is at its limestone best through here.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATEEmbsay Crag from Skipton
Embsay Crag is one of those gritstone edges that looks ordinary on the map and delivers something much better in person - proper moor underfoot and a long view across the Dales skyline.
Checked Jun 2026
HARD
Hawes New Year's Day Walk
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EXPERTKettlewell Ultra
Proper Dales miles — limestone scars, wide skies, and the kind of distance that sorts out who's eaten their breakfast. This is a full day out.
Checked Jun 2026
HARDSettle Loop
Classic Dales limestone running — pavements, green lanes, and big views for modest effort. Settle is one of the best trail running towns in the Dales.
Checked Jun 2026
EASYSkipton Aireville Park and Woods
If you've got an hour and you're in Skipton, this is the run. Park, woodland, canal towpath. Nothing complicated, nothing slow, good underfoot all year.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATESkipton Canal and Stirton
Canal towpath running at its most accessible - flat, surfaced, and direct. Stirton sits quietly 2km south of Skipton and gives the route a reason to go beyond the park.
Checked Jun 2026
HARDSkipton Moor and Farnhill Pinnacle
More rewarding than it looks from the map. Skipton Moor has a real open-sky feel, and Farnhill Pinnacle is a genuinely odd and photogenic landmark.
Checked Jun 20261 ran this
MODERATESkipton Moor from Skipton
Twenty minutes from the station and you're on open moorland with a proper climb under your belt. This is the shortest and sharpest of the Skipton moor routes.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATESkipton Moor to Bradley and Canal Back
Three distinct sections in one run: moor, village, canal. This is the most satisfying of the Skipton circuits - proper climbing followed by a flat, fast return.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARDSkipton Moor, Bolton Abbey and Barden Moor
A proper long day stitching together terrain most runners split into two separate outings. Bolton Abbey woods make a welcome change of scene at the halfway mark.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATESkipton Woods and Canal
Castle woods on the way out, canal on the way back. Skipton has better trail running on its doorstep than most people realise, and this circuit shows it.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARDWelcome to Skipton
The full Skipton picture in one run: moor above, canal below, and the Craven countryside in between. A proper long day out from one of the best trail running towns in the Dales.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERTYorkshire Three Peaks Circuit
Three summits, 1600m of ascent, and a finish back in Horton means that you have definitely earned a drink.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERTYorkshire Three Peaks Extended
A big day out on the most recognisable skyline in the Dales — three distinct summits, 1500m of climbing, and a finish that earns its beer.
Checked Jun 2026
About running in Yorkshire Dales
Limestone pavements, moorland and valleys. Runnable in most conditions.
Safety reminder
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