Dales

A dale is a broad valley, especially in the uplands of northern England. The term comes from the Old Norse dalr and is widely used in English place names to denote valleys cut by rivers. Dales typically feature a river or stream running along the bottom of a wide, enclosed depression, with steep sides or hillsides on either side.

Geology and landscape vary among dales. The Yorkshire Dales, for example, are notable for their limestone bedrock, karst features, caves, and limestone pavements in the western part of the region, while other dales can be formed in sandstone or shale and show different drainage and soil patterns. Many dales are associated with pastoral land use, dry-stone walls, and historic villages set along the valley floor.

Notable dales include Wharfedale, Swaledale, Wensleydale, Ribblesdale, Nidderdale, and Airedale. Teesdale and other dales extend into neighboring counties and are part of broader upland landscapes that have been shaped by glacial and fluvial processes. The Yorkshire Dales National Park, established in 1954, protects a substantial portion of several dales and is a major center for conservation and recreation.

Human activity in dales traditionally centers on agriculture, particularly sheep farming, and, more recently, tourism and outdoor recreation. The area is known for walking routes such as the Pennine Way and the Yorkshire Dales Way, which traverse various dales and draw visitors to the landscape, towns, and historic features.