Richmond Way

The Richmond Way does not have the status of a National Trail but it is an excellent walk, almost entirely on permitted paths and quiet country lanes, from the gates of Lancaster Castle to the gates of Richmond Castle. It is the invention of John Coppack who devised the route over several years. During its 62 miles you will follow the Lune Valley and its tributary River Greta to Ingleton where you enter the limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales. At Ribblehead you walk beneath the most famous railway viaduct in the country before crossing wild moorland to reach Wensleydale, largest of the Yorkshire Dales. Finally, after crossing Redmire Moor to reach Swaledale, you follow the meandering river Swale to historic Richmond.

Prices are per person based on twin share and include all accommodation in twin share rooms on bed & breakfast basis, luggage transfer, information pack including map & guidebook and our emergency contact.

Single rooms are available. We only apply a supplement for single accommodation when there is a direct cost to us and we cap this in line with our ‘Fair pricing’ policy. Solo walkers pay a supplement of £10 per walking day, plus any single room supplement which may be required.

The Richmond Way is 62 miles long and our recommended itinerary splits the walk into 6 stages with 7 overnight stops. This gives a reasonable walking day of typically 9 - 13 miles, with one shorter but optionally more challenging day of just over 6 miles. We are always happy to chat about the route and can quote for longer or shorter periods.

Arrive at Lancaster and check into your accommodation
Day 1 Lancaster to Hornby 10½ miles
Day 2 Hornby to Ingleton 9 miles
Day 4 Ingleton via Scales Moor (moderate) or Ingleborough (challenging) to Ribblehead 6½ miles
Day 5 Ribblehead via Cam Fell and Wether Fell to Bainbridge in Wensleydale 13 miles
Day 6 Bainbridge via Bolton Castle to Grinton/Reeth in Swaledale 13 miles
Day 7 Grinton/Reeth to Richmond 9½ miles
Depart Richmond

What's Included

The price includes:

  • All accommodation in twin/double rooms (with private bathroom where available) in guest houses, inns or hotels
  • All breakfasts
  • Luggage transfer between hotels
  • A Wandering Aengus information pack containing all necessary maps, a current guide book, laminated locator maps for each night's accommodation, and our own weather-proof 'info cards' with local information - including locations and opening times of restaurants, cafes, ATMs, supermarkets etc.
  • Our emergency contact number

Not included:

  • Lunches and evening meals (we provide full details of your options)
  • Extra costs incurred through using escape routes or abandonment of the itinerary
  • Miscellaneous personal expenses such as drinks etc.

Accommodation & Meals

Our Accommodation:

As keen walkers ourselves we appreciate the importance of the place you put your feet up and rest your head in at the end of each day. We very carefully select our accommodations whether they be a cosy pub, family run guest house, or established town centre hotel. We choose places directly on the route or within easy walking distance of it and if we ever have to transfer you because of limited availability, we will always contact you to discuss this and never just leave you to find out later. We provide comfortable, clean and warm twin or double rooms, with private bathroom wherever available. Single occupancy of rooms is also available for a supplementary cost.

Meals:

Breakfast at your accommodation is included in the holiday price. In most cases your accommodation will serve dinner and will be able to prepare a packed lunch for you. Sometimes this will have to be arranged in advance and we will let you know if this is the case. Alternatively you can use our detailed notes to make your own dining and lunch arrangements using local restaurants, cafes and supermarkets.

Getting to the Start

LANCASTER: Lancaster is on the main West Coast line from London Euston to Glasgow. The journey time from London is approximately 2½ hours and from Glasgow is 2 hours.

RETURN from RICHMOND: There are regular buses to Darlington (12 miles) which is on the main East Coast line between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh. The journey time to London is approximately 2½ hours and to Edinburgh is 2 hours.

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Richmond Way Map

The Richmond Way can be considered a moderate grade long distance path. The initial section of the Richmond Way along the Lune and Greta valleys to Ingleton, is easy walking along riverside paths and through fields and open pastures, interspersed with woodland. Beyond Ingleton, the nature of the walking changes as you climb onto Scales Moor (or over Ingleborough if choosing this alternative). The walking becomes rougher as you cross limestone pavement and peaty moorland and between Ribblehead and Bainbridge, you encounter the wildest and highest section of the Richmond Way (other than the Ingleborough option) as you cross Cam Fell and Wether Fell. Here you reach 1935 feet of altitude and encounter a 10 mile section where you are continuously above the thousand foot contour. The next section through Wensleydale to Castle Bolton is once again easy to moderate walking along riverside paths, through meadows and on fellside terraces. A more strenuous section across the Redmire with some steep climbing and open moorland leads to the River Swale and the final 10 miles into Richmond is once again, easy to moderate walking along riverside paths and through meadows interspersed with woodland and lower fellside terraces.