The stepping stones in Kettlewell

Kettlewell Stepping Stones

Kettlewell is one of our favourite places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales National Park!

This super easy and short circular family walk will take you to the stepping stones and back and is a perfect paddling walk for very young walkers!

Did you know Kettlewell has a fabulous set of stepping stones?

We love Kettlewell! It’s a stunning gem of a place, nestled in the heart of Wharfedale. Surrounded by impressive peaks and waterfalls, Kettlewell is one of our favourite places in the Yorkshire Dales!

Notoriously beautiful, it is super kid friendly as well and has a little play park (with a view to die for), a river that’s perfect for a paddle, and this walk will take you to the stepping stones and back in less than 2 miles!

Bite sized and perfect for young explorers!

You can extend this walk to make it longer if you want! Scroll to the bottom to find out more!

Paddling at the stepping stones in Kettlewell

What are the walk details for Kettlewell Stepping Stones?

Distance: 2 miles (short but sweet!)

Terrain: Easy footpaths, easy terrain underfoot, little to no ascent. There is some (200 yards) of road walking. Whilst it is a very brief section, the road can be busy, so take care.

Parking: Kettlewell, Yorkshire Dales Pay and Display

Public Transport: There are buses that stop regularly at Kettlewell. Check out the Dales Bus website for more timetable information.

Dog Friendly? Yes

Location: Kettlewell, Upper Wharfedale

Map: OS Explorer OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern and Central

What 3 Words: tight.contain.duplicate (Kettlewell Car Park)

Toilets/ Baby Change: Kettlewell Car Park.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Kettlewell has a Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream hut, 2 Pubs, and a Cafe.

A traditional Yorkshire Dales barn in Kettlewell

How to walk to Kettlewell Stepping Stones

Directions:

  1. Beginning at Kettlewell Pay and Display Car park, turn right and head across the bridge leading out of the village (be wary, this road can be busy particularly during the weekend or over holidays). On the opposite side of the bridge to the car park, and on the opposite side of the road, to your left, there is a gate and path leading down to the river side. Take this.

  2. Head down the slope towards the river’s edge. The path heads over the stepped stile in the dry stone wall and continues to be roughly parallel to the right hand side of the river. Follows this path as far as the stepping stones. Keep the perimeter wall and fences closely to your left hand side and pass through several stepped stiles.

  3. After around a mile, the path descends some stone steps to the left down to the stepping stones. Here is a great little stop off point to paddle or throw stones when the river is low. This is your furthest point.

  4. Once you have crossed the stepping stones, turn left and follow the path back to Kettlewell along the other side of the river. There is a wall to your right, and the river to your left. After just under half a mile, the path starts to bend to the right, down a narrow walled path. Take the path signposted Kettlewell, which crosses through the wall to your left and continue through a few more stiles, all the while, keeping the river to your left.

  5. After another 3rd of a mile, you will find yourself back at the bridge in Kettlewell!

Boom! Now it’s time for ICE CREAM!

Last walked August 2022

Walking through the meadows at Kettlewell
Paddling in the water at Kettlewell

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

💦 Whilst this walk is short, we have happily spent a full day in Kettlewell, whiling the summer hours away playing by the river, which is a shallow and calm during the dry summer months. You can find several spots that are shallow enough to wade up to waist height, and the water around the stepping stones is similarly shallow. Not to be a party pooper, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t warn you that the River Wharfe is renowned for being incredible fast rising, so care must be taken at all times. Please note that these photos were taken after a protracted period of dry weather, when the weather was settled and the river was shallow. Care must be taken and judgment made as to the safety of the water. Always supervise children around water, no matter how shallow it is.

🧒 Kettlewell has a play park, located up from the Car Park on Conistone Lane. It is less than 5 minutes from the start of this walk.

🍦 Kettlewell is home to a permanent Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Kiosk, where you can get ice cream and refreshments. Check seasonal times, if you are visiting outside of the summer months.

🍺 Kettlewell is the home to three pubs, who all serve decent pub grub! We like the Bluebell Inn’s beer garden!

🌳 This wander really comes into its own from around May onwards, as the wildflower meadows of Upper Wharfedale are stunning! If you need some help with the walking whinges, then why not check out one of our walking games or print off a scavenger sheet?

Helpful Information!

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.

⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.

Walking back towards the village in the sunshine
Jumping for joy by the River Wharfe

What else is there in Kettlewell?

All of our family friendly walks are arranged in loads of different categories including, waterfall walks, short walks and walks with play parks. So you can find exactly the kind of walk you are looking for!

We have several family friendly walks that start and end in Kettlewell and we also have a Visit Kettlewell with Kids guide to check out!

If you want to extend this stepping stones walk you can add it onto the end of our Kettlewell to Starbotton circular walk!

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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