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Yorkshire: Dales to the Moors – Route Guide

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Malham Cove Yorkshire — Yorkshire: Dales to the Moors
Photo: F. C. Franklin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Two national parks joined by market towns: the Dales' drystone walls and waterfalls giving way to the Moors' heather and the fishing harbour where Dracula came ashore. Malham Cove's limestone amphitheatre and Aysgarth's falls cost nothing but boot leather. End with fish and chips on Whitby's quay as the abbey glows above.

Yorkshire: Dales to the Moors is a 270 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 4–7 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for June, built from 290 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

4–7
days
270km
distance
7
Stops
290
curated stops

Plan your own version → 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go

The route

York→ 35 kmHarrogate→ 40 kmSkipton→ 18 kmMalham→ 40 kmHawes→ 92 kmHelmsley→ 45 kmWhitby

What you'll see

Clifford's Tower
Explore the ruins of a historic castle tower with panoramic city views.
York
Betty's Tea Rooms
Indulge in classic British high tea in a famous setting.
Harrogate
Skipton Castle
Explore one of England's best-preserved medieval castles, defiant against Cromwell.
Skipton
Kirkby Malham
Discover the historic parish church, St Michael's, in this quaint village.
Malham
Wensleydale Creamery
Discover the process of making Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese and sample the crumbly delight.
Hawes
Rievaulx Abbey
Walk among the impressive ruins of a grand Cistercian abbey in the Rye valley.
Helmsley
Robin Hood's Bay
Enjoy a picturesque fishing village with dramatic cliffs and a tranquil harbour.
Whitby
Yorkshire Museum
Discover fascinating Roman and medieval treasures, including Viking hoards.
York

Choose your length

4-day plan25 stops · 10.3 h transit6.2 stops/day · 2.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan32 stops · 12.2 h transit6.4 stops/day · 2.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →7-day plan47 stops · 13.0 h transit6.7 stops/day · 1.9 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September

Wildflower hay meadows around Hawes peak in June, the moors turn purple with heather in late August, and the sea fret lifts off Whitby by mid-morning.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →