9k Run Craven: Scenic Loop Around Sharp Haw

Route Overview & Local Insights

Tackle the rolling beauty of the Yorkshire Dales with this 8.9km loop around Sharp Haw and Skyrakes Wood. Starting from White Hills Lane, this route offers a fantastic mix of terrain, featuring roughly 25% paved surfaces before transitioning onto rugged trails and grassy paths. With 210m of ascent, it’s a punchy challenge for those looking to build hill strength, rewarding every climb with expansive views over the Craven district. Running through Skyrakes Wood provides a refreshing atmospheric change, while the descent via the Dales High Way allows for a fast, flowing finish on a celebrated long-distance trail.

Sharp Haw is a distinctive landmark near Skipton, often referred to by locals as the "gateway to the Dales" due to its prominent conical shape visible from miles away. While its Neighbor, Rough Haw, sits just beside it, Sharp Haw offers some of the most accessible yet breathtaking 360-degree panoramas of the Aire Valley and the distant Lakeland fells. The area is steeped in agricultural heritage, and as you navigate the Dales High Way, you are following in the footsteps of ancient drovers and packhorse routes that once connected these rural communities. It’s a quintessential Yorkshire running experience that perfectly captures the wild, gritstone character of the region.