The Yorkshire Dales is a region of limestone hills, honeycombed by subterranean rivers, potholes, shake holes and caves. Examples of Pot holes are Hurtle Pot between the 'peaks' of Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m) and Hunt Pot and Hull Pot near the 'peak' of Pen-y-ghent (694m).

Some of the caves have cathedral sized chambers, as at Gaping Gill Hole, south of Ingleborough, in which water falls 111m or 365' in a single drop. Those wishing to see some of the wonders underground can visit Ingleborough Cave, which is fed by Fell Beck, which has made its way underground, having fallen down Gaping Gill pothole. Stalactites named 'Queen Victoria's Bloomers' and 'Elephant's Legs', (for obvious reasons,) can be seen. The area is a delight for cavers, though most ramblers prefer to be above ground!
Because it is nearer, the Penrith Ramblers tend to opt for the western side of the Dales for their walks . The Ribble valley has the Settle to Carlisle railway running down it, which crosses the viaduct at Ribble Head. In Ribblesdale there are the fells known as 'The Three Peaks'. These are: Ingleborough at 724m, Pen-y-ghent at 694 m and Whernside at 736 m , this being the highest fell in North Yorkshire. Some ramblers do the 'Three Peaks walk', which is about 25 miles long and takes about 12 hours, depending on your fitness.
Ingleton Waterfalls trail starts in Ingleton, on the A65, and is a 4½ mile circular walk through woodland and dales via a series of impressive waterfalls. Ingleborough is only 3 miles to the east of the trail area.
The Falls Cafe, which is situated at the start of the trail, is large enough to accomodate up to 60 people. It provides home cooked meals and cake. There is also a children's adventure play area.
To the west of Ingleton on the A65 is the Country Harvest food hall, which includes a coffee shop with views towards Ingleborough. It also sells gifts and country clothing. In 1999 it won tthe UK Cheese Retailer of the Year Award. The cheese department offers over 120 different varieties of cheese - a rival to Graham's in Penrith?

In upper Wensleydale, at Hawes is the Dales Countryside Museum, where you can find about life in the Dales past and present, while at Dent, on the Carlisle Settle railway line, there is the The Dent Village Heritage Centre, which like the museum at Hawes provides a wealth of information on the working lives and social customs of the Dalesfolk in times past. 'Dent marble' is a crinoidal limestone containing noticeable fossil remains, once mined at Stonehouse Mill nearby and made into fireplaces.until competition from Italy closed the operation down. A specimen is on display at the Centre. A number of Penrith Ramblers' walks have started from Dent, having first made their way from Lazonby by rail..

The village of Reeth in Swaledale is popular destination for the Penrith Ramblers to start walks. It has a number of tearooms with parking round a central green.

Middleton in Teesdale to the north, is strictly outside the National Park but it too is another popular centre from which to start walks.

In the south of the Dales is Skipton Castle, which is over 900 years old and one of the best preserved and most complete castles in England. A Royalist stronghold, it was under seige for 3 years before Cromwell's win in the battle of Marston Moor in Yorkshire in 1644 brought about the removal of its roofs. Only 10 years later Lady Anne Clifford was allowed to replace them, conditional on their not be able to support firing cannon! The banqueting hall, kitchen, bed chambers, dungeon and the watch tower are open to today's visitors, who can find the castle at the junction of the A65 and A59 in Skipton. Skipton lies on the Carlisle - Settle- Leeds railway line.

Note: part of Cumbria (the pink area on the map), including part of the Howgill Fells, is actually in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.