15 Short Walks in the Yorkshire Dales - Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton

The area around the western Yorkshire Dales offers a rich blend of river valleys, rolling fells, dramatic waterfalls and charming historic villages. From the deep Lune and Rawthey valleys around Sedbergh to the limestone crags and cascades of the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and the quaint market town of Kirkby Lonsdale, this corner of the Dales combines lush pastoral dales, panoramic hillsides and fascinating heritage.

15 Short Walks in the Yorkshire Dales – Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton brings together 15 of the best short day walks in this area, all under three hours and ranging from 3 to 11 km (1–7 miles). With easy-to-moderate terrain and minimal navigation complexity, this collection is perfect for those seeking family-friendly walks or a half-day outing that showcases the very best of these classic Dales surroundings.

• These 15 carefully selected walks explore the breadth of the western Yorkshire Dales — including tranquil riverside strolls around Sedbergh and the Rawthey, scenic limestone valleys like Barbondale, high viewpoints such as Wild Boar Fell and the cascades of the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
• Experience the classic Dales valleys, riversides and villages in under three hours, with easy-to-follow route descriptions, clear Ordnance Survey maps and numbered points that tie maps to the text
• Practical details on parking, facilities and local highlights — from historic Pendragon Castle to Ruskin’s View and Farfield Mill — help you plan your day and select the perfect walk
• Walks start from key centres such as Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Dent and Ingleton, giving you the flexibility to plan day trips or short breaks, with refreshment stops and scenic points woven into every route
• Downloadable GPX files provide an optional digital navigation aid, making it simple to follow routes on your phone or GPS device while you explore rivers, waterfalls, fells and dales

From limestone waterfalls and gentle riverside paths to open fells and historic market towns, this corner of the Yorkshire Dales rewards exploration in every season. With clear mapping, expert guidance and enticing local highlights at every turn, 15 Short Walks in the Yorkshire Dales – Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton is your ideal companion for discovering the landscapes, heritage and tranquillity of one of England’s most scenic walking regions. 

A proud Yorkshireman, Jonathan first climbed a mountain before he was born. Although he first met Lesley at sea, they have spent many years exploring mountains and trails in Britain and Europe. After nearly 25 years as Cicerone's publisher and managing director, he now supports the team whilst exploring, updating and writing guides. He has developed UK guides and walked throughout Europe, but his special subject is the Alps and Switzerland. He has worked on guidebooks including Chamonix to Zermatt: the Walker's Haute Route, Trekking in the Vanoise, the Swiss Via Alpina and the Tour du Mont Blanc, as well as walking guides to Zermatt and Saas Fee, Arolla and Zinal and the Bernese Oberland.

Originally from Oxfordshire, Lesley's lifelong passion for walking, trekking and, more recently, cycle touring has taken her to many corners of the UK, Europe and occasionally further afield. Although now mostly retired, she has been a director of Cicerone for over 25 years, leading its sales and marketing team. Lesley is a qualified marketing professional, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the author of Walking the Tour of the Lake District. Lesley shares a passion for alpine walking and trekking with husband Jonathan and together they have written several guidebooks. Based between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, they relish every excuse to spend days exploring and writing.