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The Yorkshire Dales are made for driving. Limestone valleys, drystone walls, plunging waterfalls and high moorland passes are all linked by some of the finest touring roads in England, including Buttertubs Pass, regularly voted the country’s most spectacular road. These are the best Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, eight routes from the thrilling climb of Buttertubs to the gentle beauty of Wharfedale, each chosen for the scenery it delivers rather than the miles it covers. A hire car is the only way to link them properly, and the whole area is around two hours from Manchester Airport, the nearest major gateway.
The Best Yorkshire Dales Scenic Drives at a Glance
If you only have time for one of the best scenic drives in the Yorkshire Dales, make it Buttertubs Pass, or the B6255 past the Ribblehead Viaduct for big views with an easier drive. Here are all eight of the best Yorkshire Dales scenic drives at a glance, with distance and difficulty so you can match a route to your time.
| Scenic drive | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Buttertubs Pass (B6270) | Approx 6 miles | Moderate, single-track climbs |
| B6255 past Ribblehead Viaduct | Approx 17 miles | Easy to moderate |
| Swaledale (Keld to Richmond) | Approx 23 miles | Easy |
| Wensleydale (Hawes to Leyburn) | Approx 16 miles | Easy |
| Wharfedale (Bolton Abbey to Kettlewell) | Approx 18 miles | Easy |
| Malham and the limestone country | Approx 12 miles | Moderate, narrow lanes |
| Grassington to Pateley Bridge (B6265) | Approx 12 miles | Easy to moderate |
| The A683 to Sedbergh and the Howgills | Approx 15 miles | Easy |
What You Need to Know Before Driving in the Yorkshire Dales
IMPORTANT: Many of the best scenic drives in the Yorkshire Dales use single-track roads with passing places, and the high passes such as Buttertubs are steep, narrow and exposed. Pull into the nearest passing place to let oncoming or faster traffic by, never park in one, and take the climbs slowly. Sheep roam freely on the open moorland, so watch your speed.
The UK drives on the left. The Dales are best driven from April to October, when the days are long and the valleys are at their greenest, though the high passes can be bleak and exposed in winter. Mobile signal drops out in the deeper valleys, so download your route offline before you set off. Fuel stations are sparse once you leave the market towns, so fill up in Hawes, Settle, Leyburn or Grassington before a long day on the back roads.
For official guidance, the Yorkshire Dales National Park site has up to date visitor and access information, and the UK government driving pages cover the rules of the road.
Drive 1: Buttertubs Pass
If there is one road that defines the Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, it is Buttertubs Pass. This two-mile section of the B6270 climbs to 528 metres over the high moorland between Wensleydale and Swaledale, linking Hawes with Thwaite and Muker. Jeremy Clarkson famously called it England’s only truly spectacular road, and it featured in the 2014 Tour de France, so you will be in good company at the top.
The pass is named after the deep limestone potholes beside the road, said to be where farmers once lowered butter to keep it cool on the way to market. Drive it from Hawes, pausing at the summit for the vast moorland views, then drop into Swaledale and finish at the Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest pub at 528 metres, a few miles north. It is short, steep and unforgettable, the highlight of any tour of the Yorkshire Dales scenic drives.
Drive 2: The B6255 past the Ribblehead Viaduct
For big scenery with an easier drive, the B6255 from Ingleton to Hawes is hard to beat. The road sweeps across Ribblesdale and over bleak Gayle Moor, and about halfway along you pass the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct, a 24-arch Victorian railway bridge striding across the valley beneath the peak of Whernside. It is one of the most photographed sights in the Dales, and there is a parking area nearby.
One of the most photogenic of the Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, time your stop to catch a train crossing the viaduct on the famous Settle to Carlisle line for the classic shot. From Ribblehead the road continues over the moors and down into Hawes, the beating heart of Wensleydale, making this an ideal first leg of a longer tour of the Yorkshire Dales scenic drives.
Drive 3: Swaledale, Keld to Richmond
Swaledale is the most classically beautiful of the Dales, and the B6270 down its length is one of the most rewarding scenic drives in the Yorkshire Dales. From Keld the road follows the River Swale east through a patchwork of drystone walls and little stone field barns, past the pretty villages of Muker, Gunnerside and Reeth, before reaching the handsome market town of Richmond with its clifftop Norman castle.
This is a gentle, unhurried drive through quintessential Dales scenery, best taken slowly with stops in the villages. Combine it with Buttertubs Pass, which drops you into the top of Swaledale, for a superb half-day loop from Hawes.
Drive 4: Wensleydale, Hawes to Leyburn
The broad, green valley of Wensleydale runs east from Hawes along the A684, and is one of the best-loved Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, taking in some of the finest sights in the area. Hawes itself is home to the Wensleydale Creamery, where the famous crumbly cheese is made, and the Dales Countryside Museum. Just outside town, England’s highest single-drop waterfall, Hardraw Force, is a short walk away.
Further down the valley, the triple falls at Aysgarth are among the most beautiful in the country, and the road passes castles and chocolate-box villages all the way to the market town of Leyburn. Easy, scenic and packed with places to stop, it is one of the most relaxed Yorkshire Dales scenic drives and perfect for an unhurried day.
Drive 5: Wharfedale, Bolton Abbey to Kettlewell
For the gentlest and arguably prettiest of the Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, follow the B6160 up Wharfedale. Starting at the romantic ruins of Bolton Abbey beside the River Wharfe, the road winds north through woodland and riverside meadows to the charming Georgian village of Grassington, with its cobbled square, tearooms and galleries, then on through Kilnsey and Kettlewell.
This is a soft, green, welcoming drive, ideal for first-time visitors or a gentle introduction to the area. From Kettlewell you can continue over the tops towards Aysgarth, linking Wharfedale to Wensleydale for a longer day out.
Drive 6: Malham and the Limestone Country
The country around Malham is some of the most dramatic limestone scenery in Britain, and the narrow lanes that thread through it make for an exciting drive. From Settle or Grassington, the roads climb past Malham Tarn and down into Malham village, the base for exploring the vast natural amphitheatre of Malham Cove, used as a filming location in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the gorge of Gordale Scar.
The lanes here are narrow and can be busy in summer, so take them gently and use the passing places. It is one of the shortest but most spectacular Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, best combined with a walk to the top of the Cove for one of the finest views in the area.
Drive 7: Grassington to Pateley Bridge
Among the quieter Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, the B6265 from Grassington to Pateley Bridge is a real gem, crossing the moorland between Wharfedale and Nidderdale. The road climbs out of Grassington through open country, passing Stump Cross Caverns, a network of show caves, before dropping into the handsome town of Pateley Bridge in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It is a peaceful, less-travelled route and one of the quietest Yorkshire Dales scenic drives, making a lovely link between the central Dales and the eastern edge of the National Park.
Drive 8: The A683 to Sedbergh and the Howgills
On the western edge of the National Park, the A683 runs through the often-overlooked country around Sedbergh, a charming book town sitting beneath the smooth, whaleback Howgill Fells. The road along the Rawthey and Lune valleys is a superb, flowing drive, and the Howgills feel wilder and emptier than the central Dales.
This is also the route that links the Dales to the Lake District, with Kirkby Lonsdale and the southern Lakes just beyond Sedbergh. If you are touring the North, it makes a perfect bridge between the two national parks and a quiet finale to your Yorkshire Dales scenic drives.
Hiring a Car for Your Yorkshire Dales Scenic Drives
The Dales are rural and public transport is limited, so a hire car is essential to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales scenic drives properly. The nearest major airport is Manchester, around two hours away via the M62 and M6, with Leeds Bradford a little closer to the southern Dales. For everything you need on collecting a car, the suppliers and the best rates, see our guide to car hire at Manchester Airport, the gateway to the North.
A smaller car is easier than a wide vehicle on the single-track passes and narrow lanes. Wherever you are heading in Britain, our UK car hire guide compares all the major suppliers in one search, with insurance and taxes included. Compare deals below and start planning your Yorkshire Dales scenic drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scenic drive in the Yorkshire Dales?
Buttertubs Pass is widely regarded as the best scenic drive in the Yorkshire Dales. This two-mile climb on the B6270 between Hawes and Thwaite reaches 528 metres and was famously called England’s most spectacular road. For big views with an easier drive, the B6255 past the Ribblehead Viaduct is the best alternative, and Swaledale offers the most classic Dales scenery.
How long do you need to drive the Yorkshire Dales?
A single drive such as Buttertubs Pass or Swaledale takes 1 to 2 hours, while a full loop linking the main dales is around 90 miles and needs a full day with stops. To enjoy a good selection of the Yorkshire Dales scenic drives without rushing, allow two to three days based in a central town such as Hawes, Leyburn or Grassington.
Is Buttertubs Pass difficult to drive?
Buttertubs Pass is moderately challenging rather than dangerous. It is a narrow, single-track road in places with steep gradients and passing places, but it is well surfaced and far easier than the high Lake District passes. Take it slowly, use the passing places, and watch for sheep and cyclists, and most drivers will enjoy it. It can be bleak and exposed in winter.
When is the best time to drive in the Yorkshire Dales?
April to October is best, when the days are long and the valleys are green. Summer brings the most traffic in the honeypot villages such as Malham and Grassington, so start early. The high passes can be bleak, icy or fogbound in winter, so check the weather before setting off and fill up with fuel in the market towns.
Which airport is best for a Yorkshire Dales road trip?
Manchester Airport is the best major gateway, around two hours from the Dales via the M62 and M6, with a dedicated Car Rental Village and all the main suppliers. Leeds Bradford is a little closer to the southern Dales. See our car hire Manchester Airport guide for details.
Plan Your Yorkshire Dales Road Trip
From the thrilling climb of Buttertubs Pass to the gentle beauty of Wharfedale and the wild edge of the Howgills, these eight routes show why the Yorkshire Dales are among the best driving country in England. Limestone valleys, waterfalls, viaducts and moorland passes, all within an hour or two of each other, and all best discovered from behind the wheel.
Pick up at Manchester Airport, head north, and the Dales are yours to explore. Compare car hire deals below and start planning your Yorkshire Dales scenic drives.
Exploring more of the North of England? Take a look at our Peak District scenic drives guide.