How to Stay Safe when Exploring the Yorkshire Dales this Summer

Guests and visitors at The Gamekeeper’s Inn are truly blessed to be able to freely explore the stunning Yorkshire Dales during their stay with us. As a matter of fact, we get many guests returning to our site each year whose sole purpose is to discover more and more about the Yorkshire Dales. Our location is perfect for hikers, walkers, bike riders and everyone else who wants to head out into the countryside and soak in some of God’s own county!

If you’re planning a visit to the Yorkshire Dales this summer, which we know a lot of people are, don’t forget to take precautions to ensure your visit is a safe and enjoyable one. Here’s a few tips that we urge all visitors to the area to pay attention to in order to make sure you don’t get caught out!

• Many areas of the Yorkshire Dales are very remote, if you’re out hiking and exploring, inform someone at home where you are going and when you intend to be back. Take a map and a compass, a mobile phone and a battery pack to charge your phone in an emergency!
• Even when the sun is shining, the weather across the dales can turn quickly, prepare for all weather and don’t get caught out. Bring sun cream, plenty of water and keep a hat on when the suns out. Some good waterproofs and some extra layers to slip on can also be a lifesaver when the rain hits!
• Ensure you have enough food to keep you going for the day, it may surprise you but once off the beaten track, you might be a little way from a shop so be sure to prepare in advance.
• We’d always recommend venturing out in groups and ensuring you all stick together, many hands make light work and can also make for a more enjoyable exploring experience!
• Ensure you have good boots on, even when the weather is hot, you need to ensure your ankles are supported and your feet are protected from the terrain. Good boots will also help protect you from slips, trips and falls, one of the main reasons the Mountain Rescue services often get called out!

Locally, many sites within the Yorkshire Dales are made from exposed limestone which looks pretty, but can be very slippery when it’s wet so do bear this in mind, especially when exploring Limestone sites! Because of the stone, there’s also lots of cave and mine entrances so be sure to avoid these unless you’re on an organised trip and are with experienced cavers and have the right equipment!