The Yorkshire Dales must be one of the best places to go walking, especially for those looking to escape for some peace.

With its vast scenic landscape there is plenty to explore, but have you ever wondered what quiet routes you can take in the Dales, known for calming the mind?

Cath Lee of Peak Walking Adventures has shared a handful of walks in the Yorkshire Dales good for the soul, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Let’s take a look at where you could be heading on your next hiking adventure.

Peaceful walks in the Yorkshire Dales to explore

Cath explained to campervan and adventure experts Brown Bird & Co: “For me, one of the joys of hill walking is the peace and tranquillity that can be experienced up on the fells. 

“For that reason, to avoid the crowds, I often try to steer well clear of popular and busy mountains including those iconic hills in the nearby Lake District, or the tourist hotspots in the Yorkshire Dales. The Cumbrian fells in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are for me just perfect!”

The Howgills

The famous hill walker Alfred Wainwright once described The Howgills as looking like “a herd of sleeping elephants” – do you agree?

Cath from Peak Walking Adventures commented: “There are some stunning walks to be enjoyed in these green hills, and you can almost see what Wainwright meant with their big, rounded bulky shapes, even down to the ‘wrinkly skin’ in the form of miniature valleys running down the main hillsides, eroded by centuries of rainwater.  

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“Five of the summits in the range are over 2,000 feet in height, The Calf being the highest at 2,218 feet (676 metres). Others are Calders, Fell Head, Yarlside and Randygill Top. 

“There are numerous walks that you can enjoy, each bringing in one or more of these summits, and starting from a variety of different locations around this group of mountains. 

“Another ‘must see’ feature of The Howgills is Cautley Spout – England’s tallest waterfall.”

Wild Boar Fell walks

Cath said: “Beautiful as The Howgills are, my personal favourite mountain in the part of Cumbria that falls within the Yorkshire Dales National Park is Wild Boar Fell. 

“It has such as wild and remote feel to it, and stunning views from the top that reach over The Howgills as far as The Lakeland Fells. 

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“Looking north, you can see the Pennines, and to the East, the view is across the beautiful Mallerstang Valley to Mallerstang Edge which, by the way, is another great walk.”

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Other “beautiful” walks in the Yorkshire Dales “worth exploring on foot” according to Cath are Baugh Fell, Ash Fell, Crosby Garrett Fell, Great Asby Scar, Middleton Fell, Barbon Fell and The Leck Fells.

She added: “Oh and you must find time for a visit to Smardale which is a lovely green valley and designated Nature Reserve.

“You could really spend weeks immersed in the panoramic landscapes of this area, and still have plenty of new walking routes to try.”