Yorkshire Dales Road Trip + Map: 3-4 Days From Malham to Ingleton 🚗
Fancy a long weekend with big limestone drama, easy valley wanders and a proper brew at the end of it? This 3–4 day Yorkshire Dales itinerary runs in reverse so you kick off at Malham’s famous cove and finish with waterfalls and caves near Ingleton. It’s calm, scenic and full of those little moments that make a road trip feel special. Think dry-stone walls stitched across green hills, pubs with roaring fires, and footpaths that start right from the village. The drives are short, the views are huge, and there’s plenty of room for picnics and photo stops. Pack your waterproofs, save your maps offline and let the dales set the pace. 🌿
Yorkshire Dales Road Trip
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
- Total distance: ~55 miles (88 km)
- Suggested length: 3–4 days (4 is lovely and relaxed)
- Start/End: Malham → Kettlewell & Grassington → Ribblehead & Hawes → Ingleton & White Scar Cave
- Driving style: Scenic A and B roads, sheep on verges, photo stops every five minutes
- Best time: April–October for longer days and greener valleys
- Good to know: Mobile signal dips in valleys. Download offline maps and any tickets in advance.
- Parking: Village car parks often use pay-and-display; bring coins or a card.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Pack waterproofs and grippy shoes. Limestone steps get slick after rain.
🚗 Recommended Car Rental: DiscoverCars
🗺️ Itinerary
🗓️ Day 1 — Malham: Cove, Tarn & Janet’s Foss
Ease in with a classic. Malham delivers towering limestone, a stepped amphitheatre you might recognise from films, and a gentle woodland waterfall to warm up the legs.
📍 Things to do
- Walk the Malham Cove loop and climb the limestone pavement for sweeping views
- Stroll to Janet’s Foss, a dreamy little fall tucked in beech woods
- Continue to Gordale Scar for a short gorge wander
- Drive or hike up to Malham Tarn for still water and birdlife
- Golden hour photos back at the Cove’s rim
👉 Good to know: Paths are well marked but can be uneven; take it slow on the limestone blocks.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Do the Cove early or late for a quieter experience and softer light.
🗓️ Day 2 — Kettlewell & Grassington: Stone Villages & Valley Wanders
Two of the prettiest villages in Wharfedale. Expect dry-stone walls, proper tea rooms, and inviting footpaths straight from the high street.
📍 Things to do
- Village potter in Kettlewell; nip up to Cam Gill Road pull-ins for big valley views
- Walk a section of the Dales Way near Grassington
- Explore Grassington’s cobbled centre and the riverside at Linton Falls
- Short hike to Conistone Dib for a moodier limestone gorge feel
💡 Fact: The dry-stone walls criss-crossing Wharfedale run for hundreds of miles and many are centuries old.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Grassington gets busy at lunch. Arrive early, park once, and do everything on foot.
🗺️ Must-Read: Malham Cove, Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar Loop
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
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🗓️ Day 3 — Ribblehead Viaduct & Hawes: Big Arches, Big Cheese
Today is all about scale and flavour. The Settle–Carlisle line’s Ribblehead Viaduct is a jaw-dropper, then it’s over to Hawes for Wensleydale and moorland walks.
📍 Things to do
- Park near Ribblehead Viaduct and stroll the easy path beneath the arches
- If time and legs allow, pick up a section of Whernside path for higher views
- Drive to Hawes for the Wensleydale Creamery visitor experience and tastings
- Quick detour to Hardraw Force for a tall single-drop waterfall in a natural amphitheatre
- Browse Hawes’ independent shops and sit with a brew watching the world go by
👉 Good to know: The moor tops are breezy even on warm days. Pack a layer.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If a Settle–Carlisle train is due, time your Ribblehead stop to catch it crossing the viaduct for the photo.
🗓️ Day 4 — Ingleton Waterfalls & White Scar Cave: Finish with Flow & Glow
Round off with a classic waterfall trail and an underground finale.
📍 Things to do
- Tackle the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail loop for a parade of cascades and blue-green pools
- Refuel in Ingleton village with coffee and cake
- Head to White Scar Cave for an expert-led tour through chambers and formations
- If energy remains, a short leg-stretcher at Ribblehead on the way out, or sunset at a roadside viewpoint
👉 Good to know: White Scar Cave can be cool and drippy. Wear layers and waterproof shoes.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Book the cave tour ahead on weekends and school holidays to avoid queuing.
🔥 Must-read: Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls Road Trip + Map 🚗
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
🛑 Pit Stops & Side Detours
- Gordale Scar (near Malham): Short, dramatic gorge ramble
- Linton Falls (Grassington): Roaring falls steps from the village
- Aysgarth Falls (between Hawes and Grassington): Three-tiered cascades with easy paths
- Ingleborough Nature Trail (Clapham): Lovely riverside and lake loop, family friendly
- Dent Village: Tiny cobbled gem in Dentdale if you fancy an extra dale
- Settle: Classic market town for butchers’ bakes and a stretch of the legs
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
- Proper pub pies with gravy and mash
- Wensleydale cheese in Hawes, classic with fruit cake
- Yorkshire curd tart for a sweet slice of tradition
- Dales ice cream from village vans on sunny days
- Farm shop sausage rolls and pork pies for picnic fuel
- Local ales: Try a pint from a dales brewery after walks
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Carry a picnic kit. There are a thousand fields you’ll want to stop in.
🎶 Road Trip Playlist
- “Here Comes The Sun” – The Beatles
- “Holocene” – Bon Iver
- “Dreams” – Fleetwood Mac
- “Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + The Machine
- “This Must Be The Place” – Talking Heads
- “Riptide” – Vance Joy
- “Send Me On My Way” – Rusted Root
- “Budapest” – George Ezra
- “Sweet Disposition” – The Temper Trap
- “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Download offline – signal can drop out.
🎙️ Podcasts to Queue Up
- You’re Dead To Me – history with jokes that still teaches you things
- The Rest Is History – deep dives perfect for longer crossings between dales
- Off Menu – food chat that pairs nicely with picnic plans
- BBC Costing The Earth – nature stories that match the views
- Desert Island Discs – timeless conversations for mellow miles
🎒 Road Trip Essentials
- Waterproof jacket, warm layer, hat
- Grippy walking shoes or boots
- Reusable water bottle and a flask
- Paper map or offline maps downloaded
- Small first-aid kit and blister plasters
- Snacks that survive a backpack: nuts, oat bars, apples
- Power bank, sunglasses, camera
- Small rubbish bag to leave no trace
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Keep a dry pair of socks and a microfibre towel in the car. You’ll thank yourself after a soggy stile crossing.
Rent a Car
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
How long does the Ribble Valley road trip take?
The full route covers around 60 miles and can comfortably be done in a day if you keep stops short, but for a more relaxed pace, spread it over a weekend.
Is the route suitable for all cars?
Yes, most roads are well-maintained A- and B-roads, but some of the smaller lanes in Bowland are narrow—good for compact cars or SUVs, but larger vehicles should drive with care.
How do I get the FREE map?
The free map is available via Google Maps with no signup required. After clicking the “View Map” link, go to “Your Places” > “Maps” in the Google Maps app to find the route. Save it for offline use, especially in areas with spotty signal.
Can you do this road trip without a car?
Public transport is limited in some rural stretches. A car is strongly recommended to fully enjoy the villages, scenic stops, and hidden gems along the route.
Are there family-friendly stops along the way?
Absolutely! Many villages, including Whalley and Slaidburn, have green spaces and riverside paths perfect for kids, while Beacon Fell Country Park is ideal for a family hike or picnic.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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