Malham, Hanlith and Airton by the River Aire

Five and a half miles and around two and three quarter hours, flat and gentle by Malhamdale standards: the Pennine Way south past Aire Head springs to Hanlith, a riverside mile to Airton, then quiet lanes and field paths back through Kirkby Malham. Park at the Malham National Park Centre and walk out of the village southwards; the 210 from Skipton stops in Malham, Airton and Kirkby Malham, so the loop can be cut short at any of them. The Aire is shallow, clean and reachable at half a dozen points, which makes this the best drinking and paddling walk in the dale, but every riverside field is grazed and there are cattle with calves below Hanlith, so the lead stays on; the stiles are mostly wooden steps over walls and are manageable, though two squeeze stiles near Hanlith Hall are tight for a broad-chested dog.