The northern part of England up to the Scottish border consists largely of national parks and is relatively sparsely populated. This route runs from Kendal to York through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a hilly landscape in Northern England mainly located to the east of the Pennine Mountains watershed. It is mainly part of the county of North Yorkshire, with a small portion in Cumbria. The image that one finds in this area consists of dark hilltops, steep slopes, green valleys with stone walls, and sturdy farms and field sheds. The hills look like majestic peaks, especially when they are snowy. After heavy rainfall, the small streams turn into wild swirling rivers.
In the 1760 km² park there are four large and numerous smaller valleys, which are surrounded by hills with sometimes rocky precipices. Wider and wooded, Wensleydale, which cuts through the area, is known for its castles, waterfalls and cheese made in the dairy near the village of Gayle. Narrow Swaledale to the north is lined with steep slopes. The wild and desolate valley lies amidst the equally rugged high grounds. The Tan Hill has given its name to a special sheep species.

The long and winding Wharfedale in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales is defined by picturesque villages. The Cow and Calf Rocks, which rise near Burleigh Woodhead, offer fantastic views of the area. To the west, Ribblesdale is set in a rolling landscape with limestone gorges and soaring peaks. The Isle of Man can be seen from the top of Ingleborough Hill on a clear day.

After the start in Kendal the route goes to Sedbergh where you can refuel. The route continues in all directions and winds through the national park over hills and valleys. You will pass the town of Sedbergh again later in the route for a coffee stop. Although there are not many special sights in the area, the route offers fantastic views of nature. So feel free to stop at beautiful places and enjoy the surroundings. The lunch stop is planned at Aysgarth Falls, a series of small waterfalls in the River Ure in the east of the Yorkshire Dales. After the lunch stop you will pass the Wensleydale Creamery, a cheese dairy with an ancient history and where you can learn all about it in the accompanying museum.

Via the town of Gayle you leave the Yorkshire Dales towards the southeast, but first you have more than 45 km to go over mighty hills and steep slopes. Via Harrogate you drive to the center of York. Just before Harrogate is a garden center where you can get a good cup of coffee. There is also a beautiful English garden that can be visited, the RHS Harlow Carr Garden, but a visit can easily take an hour or two, so if you want to do this you will have to leave early. It is also desirable to book a ticket in advance.

The fortified city of York lies at the confluence of the Ouse and the Foss. The Ouse in particular regularly overflows its banks, causing the city to be partially flooded. The City of York had 193,300 inhabitants in 2007, estimated at 210,000 in 2018. The city has a long history. Archaeological finds indicate that the area where York is now located has been at least 7000 or 8000 years BC. was inhabited. However, the city itself was built in the year 71 AD. founded by the Romans and was initially called Eboracum. The first mentions of the city date from 95-104 AD. Eboracum was an important military base for the Romans; Emperor Septimius Severus died there in 211; 95 years later, Emperor Constantius Chlorus died in Eboracum, the father of Constantine the Great, who was given the title August there. Later, the area came into the hands of the Angles, and the town was renamed Eoferwic. In 866 Eoferwic was conquered by the Vikings, who called the city Jórvík. The name York came into use around the year 1000. In 1298 York became the temporary capital of England. King Edward I of England moved his parliament and court to York in order to better take charge of the invasion of Scotland. Parliament would remain in York for over six years

The city has the largest medieval cathedral in Northern Europe, the Minster, which is famous for its stained glass windows. The Archbishop of York is the second most important figure in authority in the Anglican Church, after the Archbishop of Canterbury. The current archbishop is Uganda-born John Sentamu. The old city center is still walled and has four city gates. The National Railway Museum, the largest train museum in Europe, is located at York station. Here are dozens of locomotives and trainsets. You can also walk over part of the city wall and from there you have a good view of the old city. Cliffords Tower is also worth a visit. There are many options for eating out. The number of hotels and b & b's is also such that you will always find a place to sleep.

I give this route 4.5 stars because of the attractive surroundings, beautiful nature and excellent roads. The city of York is the icing on the cake for after touring the area.