The Dales Way is often recommended as one of the best first long-distance walks in the UK — but that doesn’t mean it’s without challenge.

In this episode of Notes From Big Trails, Rob speaks with Jessica Mather, who completed the trail in four days last summer — covering roughly 20 miles a day while camping along the route.

Starting in Ilkley and finishing in Bowness-on-Windermere, Jess shares what it’s actually like to move quickly across the trail — from the open landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales to the familiar feeling of walking back towards home in the Lake District.

Along the way they talk about planning a multi-day trip, choosing campsites, dealing with swollen feet and finding unexpected moments of trail magic.

They also talk about why multi-day walks feel so different to day hikes — and why confidence matters more than experience when you're starting out.

In this episode

• What the Dales Way is and why it’s so accessible
• Walking 80 miles in four days
• Camping along the route
• Following seven rivers through the Yorkshire Dales
• Swollen feet in the summer heat
• Trail magic honesty boxes
• The people you meet on long-distance trails
• Why finishing can feel strangely overwhelming
• Advice for first-time multi-day walkers

About the trail
Dales Way
Distance: 80 miles / 129km
Location: Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, England
Terrain: riverside trails, farmland paths, rolling hills and villages
Difficulty: moderate
Best for: first-time multi-day walkers, experienced hikers wanting a shorter challenge, and anyone who likes pub stops with their adventure

Get out on your own adventure - find out more at bigtrailadventures.com.