It is upper Wharfedale and its headwaters in Langstrothdale which lie in the National Park. This forms one of the most attractive of the Dales. Langstrothdale, before it gets to anywhere at all, has some fabulous places to stop, picnic and letthe children build dams or paddle. Then it reaches Hubberholme, perhaps the prettiest of all the Dales villages [htough it has competition].

Soon, before Buckden, it becomes Upper Wharfedale and progresses through via Starbotton to Kettlewell, where there is an alternative road through to Wensleydale.

This section provides some wonderful walks, including some over the hills on the [true] right of the Wharfe to the smaller Littondale. The river is growing by now with the advent of tributaries and passes Threshfield and Burnsall to the slightly too touristified village of Grassington.

The next section is to Bolton Abbey past the scenic but potentially dangerous rushing channel of the Strid and then on out of the Dales to Ilkley.

On no account should this dale be rushed - anyway it would often be difficult to do so as the roads are narrow and often meeting coaches cause delays.

http://www.yorkshirenet.co.uk/visinfo/ydales/wharfedl.htm is good for general description and accommodation.