Short Walks in the Yorkshire Dales
All these easy walks are found within the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Do you want a short and easy walk in the Yorkshire Dales?
Yes? Then welcome and hello! This is our page dedicated to short and easy walks found within the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
You might be surprised to see walks that feature waterfalls, ruins, peaks, playparks and more! Never fear, our super short walks pack a lot of punch for mini wanders! Some will be pushchair friendly, some will need a carrier, some are great for young explorers some are great for older kids who just fancy a short walk (ok….. the older kids ALWAYS fancy a short walk!)
And for the grown ups… I can guarantee that at least some feature a pub!
So take a little scroll! Each walk page has the full details of every walk on it, simply tap the button for more!
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Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my website and for reading this now!
I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).
If you would like to support us and can afford a few pennies, you can make a donation to our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page. Simply tap the button below to head there!
The Star Guides
Each of our has been walked by our own 6 feet (in the sense of us being three actual humans, not in a kind of weird monster-like way!) Often, they have been walked several times and sometimes, they have been walked so often that they have been added to. This website has been growing alongside the OG Reluctant Explorers and now they can handle a little bit more - maybe yours can too.
I will say. As parents we know our kids better than anybody. I have done my best to include as much information as I can in each individual walk, so you can make your own judgement as a family. So the star ratings are just a guide to get you started.
⭐ Little Monkeys:
Walks suitable for younger children up to preschool (and beyond!) Shorter length walks with occasional pushchair access, no technical or tricky terrain. Perfect for those who are just getting out of the pushchair (and then back in again… and then back out…. and then… you know how it goes!)
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers:
Walks suitable for pre-schoolers and younger kids. Medium length/ difficulty walks. In these walks, there may be some more challenging terrain, but they are still fairly short.
⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers:
Walks suitable for older children. Not necessary longer length, but they are more technically challenging in the terrain, and on occasion the distance as well.
The Walk Emojis
I’m renowned for a heavy used of emojis in my regular life, so why on EARTH should my website be any different?! Here is a guide as to what they all stand for.
Essentially, it’s a brief look at what you can expect from the walk, but in emoji form. (I’m campaigning for a pram emoji. It would make my pushchair friendly walk life MUCH easier.)
👶 Suitable for Pushchairs (see? no pram emoji)
🎒 Suitable for Carriers (that’s a rucksack, not a weird satchel. Closest thing to a kid carrier I could find!)
🚘 Car Park/ On Street Parking (plain sailing there - all of our walks have places to park, although if possible try….
🚌 Public Transport (PLEASE! To try and alleviate parking problems and to just in general be an excellent egg.)
🐶 Dog Friendly (plenty of those!)
🥾 Sturdy Footwear or Wellies (I’d say for most, walking shoes/ boots, for some, wellies)
🛝 A park or play area (I try my hardest to find one, or at least tell you where the nearest one is!)
🦆 Ducks to Feed (bring your duck food!)
🍦 Ice Cream! For Ice cream is truly a WONDERFUL addition to a family walk!
☕ As is coffee (for the adults obviously - I’m not going to subject you to a caffeine fuelled reluctant explorer THE HORROR!) This one means you can find coffee, tea or hot chocolate (ok - that one’s for the WHOLE family!)
🍻 Because I know how a family walk can go, you’ll be relieved to know that I’ll also tell you if there’s a pub at the end!
💦 Water play/ paddle/ swim (Check out our advice on Wild Swimming with Kids and the RLSS Water Safety info)
✨📚 Cool history, geology, something blummin’ awesome to talk about.
👻 Legendary Story. Ghosts, horrible history, witches and trolls!
🌳 Walking Games - they all have these!
Cauldron Falls
📍 West Burton, Wensleydale, The Yorkshire Dales
⭐ Little Monkeys / ⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
🚘🥾🎒/ 👶🍻🛝☕🍦💦🌳🐶🚌
📏 Circular walk, less than 2 miles
Cauldron Falls is the PERFECT name for this stunning waterfall in West Burton, because it perfectly describes it’s ferocity after heavy rain. The best news? You’ll find it at the top of another set of wonderful waterfalls in this beautifully wooded clearing in Wensleydale.
This walk offers a super short pushchair option (which is a really just a walk to the waterfalls and back) or a longer version. Plus, it has a play area (with a pub opposite!) WINNER!
Linton Falls and Stepping Stones
📍 Linton, Wharfedale, Yorkshire Dales South East
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
🚘🥾💦🎒✨🛝🍦🍻☕🌳👻🐶🚌
📏 2 miles circular walk (with longer options too)
Linton Falls are a super popular stop off and are spectacular after heavy rain! Although…. if you do this walk after heavy rain, you’ll probably not get over the stepping stones, so it’s a balancing act!
But never fear, if you value drama over stepping stones (I can sympathise) there is an alternative route!
This fantastic circular takes you from Linton Falls to the stepping stones and back!
Yordas Cave, Kingsdale
📍 Kingsdale, South Yorkshire Dales (near Ingleton)
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
🚘🥾💦🎒✨🌳👻🐶
📏 Less than 1 mile - less of a walk more of an explore!
This ex Victorian show cave is spectacular.
Another ‘cave in the wild’ which is accessible through a large level entrance (which actually has the original Victorian entrance steps still in place) it also has a 30 foot waterfall hidden inside!
Oh and it was once home to the giant Yorda. Remember your big torch and helmet for this one.
Malham Cove
📍 Malham, Malhamdale, Yorkshire Dales
⭐ / ⭐⭐ Little Monkeys/ Little Adventurers
👶/🎒🥾🍦🍻☕💦🌳🚌🐶
📏 Less than 2 miles circular
A work of geological wonder, Malham Cove is not only the home of a top kid friendly walk, but was the filming location for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1! Love a Potter reference!
Scaleber Force
⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers
📍 Settle, North Yorkshire
🎒🥾🚘💦🌳🐶
📏 1 mile (rating is 3 stars due to the slippery steep access)
This spectacular fall is located in a magical wooded gorge, owned by the Woodland Trust. The out and back walk is short and sweet, but you won’t be disappointed, nor will you want to leave!
A perfect wander for a late Summer’s Day (or on any day for that matter!)
Beamsley Beacon
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
🚘🥾🎒🌳✨
📍 Langbar, near Addingham, Yorkshire Dales National Park.
📏 1-2 miles linear there and back
This is a gorgeous trig point walk for younger explorers. There’s not much in terms of length, but there are views to DIE for. So basically, maximum impact for very little effort!
There’s also some cool history and a tragic tale to go with this walk, so a lot to talk about for under 1.5miles.
Hardraw Force
📍 Hardraw, Wensleydale. The Yorkshire Dales
🚘🥾🍻☕👶/🧒💦👻🌳🚌🐶
📏 1-2 miles circular trail
A fabulously accessible waterfall walk, Hardraw Force is ace and even better in the winter when it’s a true force to be reckoned with!
Located behind the Green Dragon Pub in Wensleydale this waterfall incurs a fee to go and see it, as it’s found on private land. There are high and low routes to explore, so you can adapt to the abilities of your explorers!
(Ooh and it was where they filmed THAT scene in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves)
Halton Gill, Littondale
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
📍 Littondale, near Wharfedale, Central Yorkshire Dales
🎒🚘🥾💦🌳🐶
📏 2 miles
This circular walk was born out of my desire to visit a movie location! So if you want a dose of Hollywood, coupled with a heavy hit of Yorkshire Dales phwoar in a super quiet location? This one’s for you!
Scale Haw Force, Hebden
📍 Hebden near Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
🥾🚘🛝🍦🍻☕💦✨🌳🚌🐶
📏 Less than 2 miles.
This mini circular has stepping stones, a pretty waterfall in a secluded woody basin and it ends at the park and tearooms for ice cream or tasty treats! Or if the grown ups win, the pub.
The perfect bite-sized adventure for younger explorers.
Buckden Beck Waterfalls
⭐ Little Monkeys
🎒🚘🥾💦🍻🌳🚌🐶
📍 Buckden, Upper Wharfedale
📏 less than 1 mile linear walk there and back.
This walk is a very short walk to the Buckden Beck Waterfalls, but for less than 1 mile, you will get LOADS of waterfall action! We love this walk and it is one of our go to wanders for an end of the day paddle if we are in the area!
Kettlewell Stepping Stones
📍 Kettlewell, Upper Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
🚘🥾💦🍻🍦☕🛝🌳🐶🚌
📏 2 miles circular walk
Did I mention that we love Kettlewell?! This perfectly petite walk will take you on a short walk to the stepping stones and back. It’s a great walk for a Summer’s Day with places to get down to the water’s edge to splash!
Oh and OF COURSE there’s ice cream and the park!
Cotter Force, nr. Hawes
📍 Near Hawes, Wensleydale
⭐ Little Monkeys
👶💦✨🌳
📏 Less than 1 mile linear
This is a brilliantly accessible waterfall walk in Wensleydale. Both pushchair and wheelchair accessible, it’s also the perfect length for very little legs, just starting to explore!
And great for a paddle and a dip too!
Muker Circular
📍 Muker, Upper Swaledale, North Yorkshire Dales
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
🥾🎒🚘🍦🍻☕💦🌳🚌🐶
📏 Less than 2 miles
Rampsholme Bridge is found just outside Muker and this short circular will take you right to it! It is an excellent fossil spot… yes, you read that right!
Litton Stepping Stones and Scoska Cave
📍 Litton, Littondale The Yorkshire Dales National Park
⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐ Short circular: Little Adventurers Full Cave: Superstar Hikers
🚘🥾💦✨🌳🐶
📏 2/ 3.5 miles
Finding a hidden cave is a TRUE adventure and this walk will take you right to it!
Don’t like caves? This walk can be adapted to be a fab little stepping stones circular too!
Stenkrith Poety Trail and Devils Mustard Mill
📍 Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland Dales, Cumbria, Yorkshire Dales National Park
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers / ⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers
📏 Short 1.5 miles Long 4 miles.
🚘🥾💦🛝🍦🍻☕🌳👻
This is THE quirkiest walk you will ever find.
A poetry trail, a crazy waterfall surrounded by myths and a gigantic viaduct, the Loki Stone and a haunted bridge. All on the edge of Kirkby Stephen where you’ll find pubs and cafe’s aplenty!
This walk can either be short or long, dependant on the age and ability of your explorers.
Sedbergh Riverside
📍 Sedbergh, Westmorland Dales
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
📏 Less than 2 miles
💦🚘🌳🥾🚌🛝🍻🍦☕🐶🎒
This is a walk that will DEFINITELY be a hit with the kids. Why? Because it’s short, it has ice cream, a picnic area, access to the river side and it ends with the play park!
See? Told you!
Aysgarth Falls and Freeholders Woods
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
📍 Aysgarth, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire Dales
🎒/👶🥾🍦☕🛝🍻👻💦🌳✨🐶🚌
📏 2 miles linear walk
I’ll bet you will have heard of the famous Aysgarth Falls! No surprises with this wander, it follows the trail right through the stunning SSSI and nature reserve, Freeholder’s Wood.
An absolute corker. It’s just a classic Dales location. Best visited after a good old fashioned Yorkshire deluge of rain!
Catrigg Force, Stainforth
⭐⭐ Little Adventurers
📍 Stainforth, Ribblesdale. Yorkshire Dales
🚘🎒🥾💦🌳🚌🐶
📏 Out and back - 1 mile Longer circular 2.5 miles
We love Catrigg Force! This walk started off as a super short linear when the kids were very young and has evolved into a mini circular for older explorers. Both are excellent bite-sized walks to the very lovely Catrigg Foss!
There are stepping stones, a nature reserve, waterfalls and the pub at the end for the grown ups!
Embsay Reservoir
⭐ Little Monkeys
📍 Embsay near Skipton
🎒🚘🧒🌳🚌🐶
📏 1 mile
This is a fabulously short reservoir walk perfect for the youngest kids! With bugs to spot and a play park in the village too what’s not to love?!
Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks
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![Swimming in Janet's Foss Yorkshire Dales]()
Waterfall Walks
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![Malham cove walk for kids]()
Pushchair Friendly
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![Pinhaw Beacon trig point walk near Skipton]()
Peak Bagging Walks
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![The Park at Greenhow Nidderdale]()
Walks with Play Parks
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![Gordale Scar in Malham Yorkshire Dales]()
Organised by Location
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![Walking in the woodland in Wensleydale]()
Woodland Walks
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![Playing on the shore of Embsay Reservoir Yorkshire Dales]()
Reservoir Walks
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![The ruins of Bolton Abbey]()
Bolton Abbey Estate Walks
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![Leaping over the stile at Almscliffe Crag]()
Walks Under 2 Miles
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![Child walking into a pub in Appletreewick]()
Walks with Pubs and Cafes
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Leave No Trace
The Yorkshire Dales is our home, and the home of so many others who care deeply about this beautiful space.
Should you visit, make sure to:
Take home anything you bring, leave no rubbish behind.
Make the world a better place by picking up any rubbish you see, even if it isn’t yours.
Leave everything else as you found it.