Afoot in Two Dales

Afoot in Two Dales is a 78.09 km multi-day route in North Yorkshire with 1,777 m of climbing. Most itineraries spread it over about 3 to 5 days, while stronger walkers sometimes complete it faster as a challenge walk. The route is commonly described as taking roughly 18 to 24 hours of total walking time.

Afoot in Two Dales is generally described as a circular route starting and finishing at Harmby Village Hall near Leyburn in North Yorkshire. Harmby sits just west of Leyburn, making that area the usual access point for the walk. The route then loops through Wensleydale and Swaledale before returning to Harmby.

Afoot in Two Dales links two of the best-known Yorkshire Dales valleys: Wensleydale and Swaledale. Places commonly listed on the route include Leyburn Shawl, Redmire, Castle Bolton, Gunnerside, Muker, Thwaite, Great Shunner Fell, Hardraw, Bainbridge, West Burton, and Middleham. That gives the walk a mix of villages, moorland, river valleys, and historic sites.

Afoot in Two Dales is graded Easy overall, but the distance and total ascent still make it a serious long-distance outing. At 78.09 km with 1,777 m of elevation gain, it is better suited to hikers who are comfortable with full-day mileage over several days. The terrain uses footpaths, bridleways, quiet roads, and moorland sections rather than technical scrambling.

Yes. Great Shunner Fell is one of the named high points on Afoot in Two Dales and is one of the route's most distinctive upland sections. That crossing adds to the walk's moorland feel and contributes to the total 1,777 m of ascent across the full circuit.

A practical plan for Afoot in Two Dales is 3 to 5 days, depending on pace, weather, and how long each stage is set. Covering 78.09 km over 5 days works out at roughly 15.6 km per day, which keeps the route manageable for many walkers. Faster schedules are possible, but the cumulative climbing and exposed moorland sections still need to be factored in.