Family friendly walks in the Yorkshire Dales

Why the Yorkshire Dales suits mixed-age walkers

The Yorkshire Dales is made for families who want a proper day out without a proper expedition. Its valleys are wide and grassy, its villages sit close together, and many of the best routes follow rivers or old packhorse tracks rather than steep fells. That means young children can run ahead without vanishing, and grandparents can keep a steady pace on firm ground. The key is to choose a walk with clear escape points – a bridge, a village, a car park – so you can turn back early if the weather changes or someone’s boots start rubbing. A short walk that ends happily beats a long one that ends in tears.

Grassington and the River Wharfe: a gentle valley circuit

Start in Grassington, where the cobbled square has toilets, a couple of shops and places to buy a sandwich. From here, follow the riverside path downstream towards Linton Falls. It is about a mile each way, almost entirely flat, and the path is wide enough for a pushchair in dry weather. Children love the footbridge over the Wharfe and the rush of water at the falls themselves. There are benches along the way, so you can stop for a flask of tea or a bag of raisins. If everyone still has energy, continue a little further towards Linton village and loop back through the fields. If not, simply retrace your steps. Escape point: the bridge at Linton Falls is your natural turning point.

Malham for little legs: Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar

Malham is one of the Dales’ most popular spots, but you do not have to climb Malham Cove to enjoy it. From the village car park, a gentle track leads through woodland to Janet’s Foss, a small waterfall with a plunge pool that looks like something from a fairy tale. It is roughly one mile from the village, with only a slight incline. From there, a clear path continues to the dramatic limestone walls of Gordale Scar – another half mile. The ground can be muddy after rain, so wellies or sturdy trainers are wise. Grandparents can wait at the picnic tables near Janet’s Foss while the children paddle (carefully) at the edge. Escape point: the path is out-and-back, so you can turn around at any time. Allow two hours for the full there-and-back trip with young children.

Aysgarth Falls: waterfalls without the uphill slog

Aysgarth Falls offers a rare treat: three spectacular waterfalls with almost no climbing. The visitor centre car park sits right beside the falls, and a network of level paths and steps leads to viewing platforms at the Lower, Middle and Upper Falls. The walk between them is perhaps three-quarters of a mile in total, on good gravel paths. It is not fully pushchair-friendly because of the steps, but it is fine for children who can walk a mile or so. There are picnic benches, woods to explore and plenty of places to sit and watch the water. Escape point: you can visit just the Lower Falls in 20 minutes if time or energy is short.

Reeth and Swaledale: village green and riverside strolls

Reeth is a classic Dales village with a huge green in the middle, surrounded by tea rooms and a pub. From here, a flat riverside path follows Arkle Beck towards Grinton. It is about a mile and a half each way, with gentle grassy sections and a few kissing gates. Children can spot dippers and herons, and the path is wide enough for grandparents to walk side by side. For an even shorter option, simply loop around the green and down to the beck, then back for an ice cream. Escape point: the bridge at Grinton is your halfway marker. This walk is ideal for a lazy afternoon when nobody wants a big climb.

Practical tips for a happy family walk

• Pack snacks and drinks: a flask of hot chocolate and a bag of flapjack can revive tired legs faster than anything. Bring more water than you think you need.
• Allow extra time: a walk that takes an adult an hour will take two with young children. Add in stone-throwing, bug-hunting and boot adjustments.
• Choose routes with escape points: bridges, village halls, car parks and pubs all give you a natural place to stop. Never commit to a loop that has no shortcut back.
• Dress for mud: even in summer, Dales paths can be boggy. Wellies or waterproof walking shoes are better than plimsolls. Pack a spare pair of socks for everyone.
• Check the weather: valley paths can flood after heavy rain, and limestone gets slippery. If in doubt, pick a low-level riverside walk and save the higher fells for another day.
• Use the facilities: villages like Grassington, Malham and Reeth have public toilets and shops. Plan your walk around them, especially with grandparents who may need a sit-down.

Above all, keep it simple. The Yorkshire Dales rewards slow walking: a short amble to a waterfall, a picnic by a river, a potter around a village green. Choose a route that suits the slowest member of your group, and everyone will come home smiling.