The Dales Way & Fife Coastal Path

The Dales Way – April

Beginning in Ilkley, the Dales Way is an 80 mile trail that follows the River Wharfe through the Yorkshire Dales, heading across country through Dentdale before eventually arriving at Bowness-on-Windemere in the Lake District. There are quite a few villages along the way too. It’s apparently one of the ‘easier’ UK long distance trails if an 80 mile walk can ever be classed as easy!

During my hike on the Coast to Coast last summer I fell in love with the Yorkshire Dales so I’m eager to return. The Dales Way seems to offer a fair bit of variety so it’s one I’ll be tackling this in April.

There are also quite a number of highly recommended pubs I’d like to visit along the route; The Craven Arms at Appletreewick, The Red Lion Burnsall, Black Horse Grassington, Bluebell In and Kings Head in Kettleswell and the Dalesmen in Sedburgh. I have a feeling I might put on a few pounds on this hike! Can’t beat a Yorkshire Dales pub though!

Campsites seem to be fairly sparse the further along the trail and as I’m setting off before Easter, some campsites I’ve looked at won’t be open for the season yet. I have already booked myself a night at the Station Inn at Ribblehead next to the viaduct as there’s nothing else nearby, camping or otherwise.

The Fife Coastal Path – June (or possibly August)

The second trail I’ve got planned is the Fife Coastal Path that stretches 117 miles along the eastern coast of Scotland. Starting in the town of Kincardine in the south to the picturesque village of Newburgh in the north. I’ve not done a coastal path since my ill-fated South-West coast path adventure a few years back…turns out high cliffs are just not for me! The Fife Coastal path seems a mixture of beaches, ruins and the odd cliff so hopefully should be more than manageable.

There are quite a few highlights to look forward to on this one, St Andrews being one but also the town of Culross and the Elie Chain walk.

There are also numerous camping options including some pretty cracking wild camp spots along the way. The plan is do this one over 9 days either end of June or end of Summer depending on work/weather.

If you’ve completed either of these please do leave a comment with any tips or useful insight! Thanks and happy hiking.