Читать книгу The Dales Way. From Ilkley to the Lake District through the Yorkshire Dales онлайн

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The footbridge spanning Gayle Beck, near Holme Hill (Stage 3)

The Dales Way is a route that can be tackled at any time of year – although not all the accommodation is open all year. The relative low-level profile of the route means that for much of the journey it is sheltered by surrounding fells.

But, in terms of pastoral beauty there is no better time than April to early June, when flowers are at their most abundant, and birdlife is active and prolific. September and October, too, prove to be ideal times, coming into autumn with colourful changes to the landscape. The summer months are perfectly acceptable, but there will be more visitors on holiday, which means accommodation can become fully booked.

Getting there… and back

Getting to the start at Ilkley is easy with regular train services direct from Leeds and Bradford. Long-distance rail services from London and intermediate stations operate to Leeds by Virgin Trains East Coast (London King’s Cross) and West Coast (London Euston, via Manchester) services.