How difficult is the Dales Way for beginners?

It's one of the easier long-distance walks in England, with manageable gradients and no scrambling, which is why it's often recommended for first-timers. That said, it's still 80 miles with a rucksack, so expect your feet to complain by day three—'gentle' doesn't mean easy.

What's the highest point on the Dales Way?

The high point is Cam Fell at about 520 metres (1,705 feet) when you cross from Oughtershaw into Dentdale. It's exposed moorland walking but not a brutal climb, and then you drop back down into the valleys.

Can you get to the start and end of the Dales Way by public transport?

Yes, both ends have good connections. Ilkley has a train station with regular services to Leeds and Bradford, and Bowness is accessible by bus from Windermere station, so you don't need to arrange complicated car shuttles.