Enjoy the peace and tranquillity as you continue to explore the Dales. Fast flowing rivers that were found when the ice melted in warmer periods between the last four Ice Ages formed some of the Dales that you see today. The rivers carved out and deepened the valleys. Only a few of the Dales actually have rivers running along them, as in many places, the water seeps through cracks in the limestone and the river disappears altogether.

Where the river is present, you can often see the dipper feeding under the water and the Grey Wagtail catching insects along the rivers edge. There is an abundance of plant and animal life existing in the valley and also up on the ledges of cliffs where they are safe from grazing animals. If you come in spring you may be able to see ORCHIDS and other unusual plants on the slopes of the dales.