Camping in the Yorkshire Dales

The Dales are carboniferous limestone, and everything distinctive about the landscape follows from that — the pavements above Malham, the caves beneath Ingleborough, the way rivers disappear into the ground and reappear a valley later.

It is also the most walkable national park in England for people who like a defined objective, because the Three Peaks challenge gives you one.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks

Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, in a 24-mile circuit with around 5,000 feet of ascent, traditionally completed in under twelve hours from Horton-in-Ribblesdale. It is a long day rather than a technical one, but the ground is rough and the weather on Whernside is often nothing like the weather in the car park.

Start early, carry more water than feels necessary, and sign in and out at Horton so someone knows you are on the hill.

Limestone and water

Malham Cove is a 260-foot curved cliff with a limestone pavement across the top, twenty minutes’ walk from the village. Combine it with Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss for a six-mile circuit that takes in the best of the geology.

Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale and Hardraw Force — England’s highest unbroken above-ground waterfall — are both worth a wet day.

Underground

Ingleborough Cave and White Scar Cave are both show caves with guided walkways and no experience required. Gaping Gill, whose main chamber could hold York Minster, is winched open to the public by caving clubs for two weeks each year, usually in May and August.