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weekend walks for the public

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LEEDS-SETTLE-CARLISLE AND LEEDS-BENTHAM-MORECAMBE
Rail Timetable
10 December 2023
to 1 June 2024


National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner

Engineering Works
Update


Walk Leader's Checklist (Microsoft Word document)
Northern Rail Network Map (PDF file)
To view PDF files, you may need Adobe Reader, a free download from the Adobe website - please click below to obtain this


 

Dent railway Station, the highest railway station in England and the start of many walks down the Dent dale valley (Be warned, Dent village is about 5 miles away!) and up Whernside, the highest of the "Three Peaks".

Plaque on Settle Station the start for many walks for all types of walker.

 

 


Guided Walks from the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle,

Leeds-Morecambe and other selected Railways

ALL WALKS ARE ON SATURDAY (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)

Please click the links below to view the walks for the month of your choice

Every weekend there are free guided walks for the general public. The walks are of various lengths and degrees of difficulty. They are all designed to link up with train services from the Leeds area. For details of the individual walks, please see the tables below. All of the walks will have an experienced leader and backup. These will meet you at the designated railway station.

The starting times of the trains from Leeds (unless otherwise stated) are given below within the relevant tables. You can check these and find fares information by using the links opposite, or you can ring National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50. All you have to do is buy the appropriate rail ticket, get on the train at your most convenient station and alight at the designated station. You will then be met by the leader and backup, who will explain the walk.

Please choose a level of walk with which you are comfortable. If you are new to walking we recommend you choose an easy grade until you discover your level of fitness and the suitability of your equipment. If in doubt please speak to the leader at the start of the walk. Please click here for information about walk grades.

IMPORTANT - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

- Please check this website the day before travel, in case of any late alterations or cancellations
- Whilst leaders take every care, your comfort and safety are your own responsibility
- The pace of the walk is appropriate to the distance and the available time
-
We ask that walkers accept the pace set, anyone getting ahead of the leader may be deemed to have left the walk
- Dogs (on a short lead) are welcome on most walks, but please check this website beforehand
- Good footwear and adequate clothing are essential
- Please carry enough food and drink for the day
- Under 18 year olds and any vulnerable adults to be accompanied by a responsible adult
- Leaders also reserve the right to alter the walk on the day due to adverse weather conditions, etc

 
Guided Walks from the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle,
Leeds-Morecambe and other selected Railways
TRAIN TIMES
Walks take place on Saturdays from the 09.19 Leeds-Settle-Carlisle train unless otherwise stated.
Each walk officially begins upon the actual arrival of the train at the designated station, where you should alight.
The scheduled train arrival time is indicated below within the booking details for each walk.
Walks will usually finish in time to return to Leeds by 7.08 pm (Settle/Carlisle line). Return times from other lines will be similar.
March 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
02 Mar Horton Circular
via Dub Cote, Pen-y-Ghent Ghyll and Foxup
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight (08.58) and return Horton
15 miles Strenuous
Gargrave to Grassington
via Flasby, Rylstone and Linton
Book and alight (10.03) Gargrave: return Skipton
(bus back to Skipton)
11 miles Moderate
09 Mar Gisburn to Clitheroe
via Ribble Way
Book, alight (09.56) and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
10 miles Moderate
Walsden to Littleborough
via Hollingworth Lake
From the 09.18 Leeds to Wigan train
Book and return Littleborough: alight Walsden (10.19)
7 miles Easy
16 Mar Horton to Settle
via Dub Cote and Catrigg Force
Book and alight (10.30) Horton: return Settle 10 miles Moderate
23 Mar Kirkby Stephen Circular
via Great Bell and High Brae
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight (09.34) and return Kirkby Stephen
12.5 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Thornton in Craven to Skipton
via Elslack
Book, alight (09.58) and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
7-8 miles Easy
30 Mar
EASTER DALESRAIL SPECIAL - 4 WALKS
Horton to Settle
via Pen-y-Ghent and Stainforth
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book and alight (08.58) Horton: return Settle
14 miles Strenuous
Horton to Settle
via Crummack Dale, Stainforth and Feizor
Book and alight (10.30) Horton: return Settle 12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Settle Circular
via Smearsett Scar
Book, alight (10.20) and return Settle 10 miles Moderate
Horton to Settle
via Dub Cote and Helwith Bridge
Book and alight (10.30) Horton: return Settle 8 miles Easy
April 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
06 Apr Dent to Ribblehead
via the tarns and Whernside
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book and alight Dent: return Ribblehead
14 miles Strenuous
Kirkby Stephen Circular
via Podgill Viaduct, Ewbank Scar and Ladthwaite
Book, alight and return Kirkby Stephen 9 miles Moderate
13 Apr Ripon to Ripley
via Studley Royal
From the 08.59 Leeds to York (via Harrogate) train
Book, alight and return Harrogate
(bus out from and back to Harrogate)
11 miles Moderate
Appleby Circular
via Flakebridge and Dufton Woods
Book, alight and return Appleby 8 miles Easy
20 Apr Kirkby Stephen Circular
via Smardale Fell Nature Reserve, Ravenstonedale, Smardale Bridge and the old railway track to Smardale Hall
Book, alight and return Kirkby Stephen 12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Hellifield to Gargrave
via Bell Busk
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book and alight Hellifield: return Gargrave
7 miles Easy
27 Apr Horton to Ribblehead
via Moughton Scars and Pennine Bridleway
Book and return Ribblehead: alight Horton 12 miles Moderate
Horton to Austwick
via Wharfe Wood
Book and alight Horton: return Settle
(bus back to Settle)
7 miles Easy

ride2stride Settle Carlisle Walking Festival - Tuesday 30 April to Monday 6 May 2024
For details of the full festival programme, please see the ride2stride website
Please note no dogs other than registered assistance dogs, will be accepted on ride2stride walks - indicated by r2s below. The festival attracts large numbers of walkers and this decision has been taken in the interest of safety and enjoyment for everyone and to protect livestock and wildlife.

May 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
04 May Kirkby Stephen Circular r2s
via Ewbank scar and Nine Standards Rigg
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight and return Kirkby Stephen
13 miles Strenuous
Garsdale Circular r2s
via Hell Gill and Lund's Church
Book, alight and return Garsdale 10 miles Moderate
Kirkby Stephen Circular r2s
via Podgill and Merrygill viaducts
Book, alight and return Kirkby Stephen 8 miles Easy
11 May Ribblehead to Horton
via Ribble and Pennine Ways
Book and alight Ribblehead: return Horton 10 miles Moderate
18 May Greenfield Circular (Peak District Border)
via Donkey Trail, Tame Valley, Delph, Castleshaw reservoir, Roman Fort, Harrop Edge and back along the canal
From the 09.55 Huddersfield to Manchester Piccadilly train - please check back here closer to the date to confirm the train time
Book, alight and return Greenfield
12.5 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Barnoldswick Circular
via Weets Hill
Book, alight (09.58) and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
8 miles Easy/Moderate
25 May Lazonby to Langwathby
via Long Meg and her Daughters
Book and alight Lazonby: return Langwathby
Late train return
10 miles Moderate
Gargrave to Skipton
via Niffany and Skipton Woods
Book and alight Gargrave: return Skipton 8.5 miles Easy
June 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
01 June Ribblehead to Settle
via Ingleborough and the Norber Erratics
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book and alight Ribblehead: return Settle
15 miles Strenuous
Barden Tower to Bolton Abbey
via the Valley of Desolation
From the 09.32 Leeds to Ilkley train
Book, alight and return Ilkley
(bus out from and back to Ilkley)
9 miles Moderate
08 June Dent to Ribblehead
via Blea Moor
Book and alight Dent: return Ribblehead 11 miles Moderate
Harrogate Circular
via Valley Gardens and Birk Craggs
From the 09.59 Leeds to York (via Harrogate) train
Book, alight and return Harrogate
6 miles Easy
15 June Slaithwaite to Mytholmroyd
via four reservoirs, under the M62 to Rishworth Lodge, Manshead and Crow Hill
From the 09.55 Huddersfield to Manchester Piccadilly train - please check back here closer to the date to confirm the train time
Book and alight Slaithwaite: return Mytholmroyd
16 miles Strenuous
Whalley Circular
via Read Hall
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
7-8 miles Easy
22 June Settle to Horton
via Feizor and Wharfe
Book and return Horton: alight Settle 11-12 miles Moderate
Horton to Ribblehead
via Selside and Colt Park
Book and return Ribblehead: alight Horton 8 miles Easy
29 June Garsdale Circular
via High Dyke and Cotter Force
Book, alight and return Garsdale 12 miles Moderate
Bolton Abbey Strid to Addingham
via Dales Way
From the 09.32 Leeds to Ilkley train
Book, alight and return Ilkley
(bus out from and back to Ilkley)
7 miles Easy
July 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
06 July Garsdale Circular
via Wild Boar Fell, Swarth Fell, Hell Gill, and High Dyke
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight and return Garsdale
14 miles Strenuous
Appleby Circular
via Shepherd's Cottage and Dufton
Book, alight and return Appleby 10 miles Moderate
13 July Honley to Mirfield
via Castle Hill and Farnley Tyas
From the 10.09 Huddersfield to Sheffield train
Book and alight Honley: return Mirfield
11 miles Moderate
Threshfield to Grassington
via Linton, Thorpe and Burnsall
From the 08.25 Leeds to Skipton train
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
7-8 miles Easy
20 July Dent to Ribblehead
via the Dales Way and the Dales High Way
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book and alight Dent: return Ribblehead
13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Silverdale to Arnside
via Jenny Brown Point
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book and return Arnside: alight Silverdale
7-8 miles Easy
27 July Kirkby Stephen Circular
via Nine Standards Rigg
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight and return Kirkby Stephen
11-12 miles Moderate
Barnoldswick Circular
via the 3 churches
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
7 miles Easy
August 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
03 Aug Bingley to Hebden Bridge (Stanza Stone Trail 2)
via Cullingworth Moor, Ovenden Moor, Mist Stone, Warley Moor and Chiserley
Book and alight Bingley: return Hebden Bridge
(optional bus back to Keighley)
15 miles Strenuous
Lancaster Circular
via Crook O'Lune
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book, alight and return Lancaster
9 miles Easy/Moderate
10 Aug Ilkley Circular
via Denton, Ellerpike, Badger Gate and Lippersley Pike
From the 09.32 Leeds to Ilkley train
Book, alight and return Ilkley
12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Ribblehead Circular
via Chapel-le-Dale
Book, alight and return Ribblehead 7 miles Easy
17 Aug Carnforth Circular
via Over and Nether Kellett
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book, alight and return Carnforth
10 miles Moderate
Gisburn Circular
via Paythorne
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
7-8 miles Easy
24 Aug Settle Circular
via two Scars and two Fosses. Winskill, Catrigg Foss, Stainforth, Smearsett Scar and Giggleswick Scar
Book, alight and return Settle 13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Bolton Abbey Strid to Grassington
via Dales Way
From the 09.32 Leeds to Ilkley train
Book, alight and return Ilkley
(bus out from and back to Ilkley)
8 miles Easy
31 Aug Kirkby Stephen Circular
via Ewbank Scar and Nine Standards Rigg
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight and return Kirkby Stephen
13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Garsdale to Hawes
via Cotter End
Book, alight and return Garsdale
(bus back to Garsdale)
8-9 miles Easy/Moderate
September 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
07 Sep Marsden to Hebden Bridge (Stanza Stone Trail 3)
via the snow stone, Blackstone Edge, the rain stone and the Pennine Way
Train times to be confirmed
Book and alight Marsden: return Hebden Bridge
18 miles Strenuous
Henside to Malham
via Cowside and Monk's Road
From the 08.25 Leeds to Skipton train
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
9 miles Easy/Moderate
14 Sep Settle Circular
via Victoria Cave and Stainforth
Book, alight and return Settle 10 miles Moderate
21 Sep Marsden Circular
via Standedge and Pennine Way
Train times to be confirmed
Book, alight and return Marsden
11 miles Moderate
Kirkby Stephen Circular
via Lammerside and Pendragon
Book, alight and return Kirkby Stephen 8 miles Easy
28 Sep Skipton to Addingham
via Embsay, Barden Moor and Bolton Abbey
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus back to Skipton, Keighley or Ilkley)
13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Cononley Circular
via Kildwick and Low Bradley
From the 09.56 Leeds to Skipton train
Book, alight and return Cononley
7-8 miles Easy
October 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
05 Oct Horton to Settle
via Pen-y-Ghent and Stainforth Foss to hopefully see the salmon leap
Book and alight Horton: return Settle 13 miles Strenuous
Grassington Circular
via Threshfield Quarry and Malham Moor
From the 08.25 Leeds to Skipton train
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
10 miles Moderate
12 Oct Horton Circular
via Crummack Dale
Book, alight and return Horton 10 miles Moderate
19 Oct Ribblehead Circular
via Ingleborough
Book, alight and return Ribblehead 10 miles Moderate
Kirkby Lonsdale Circular
via Whittington
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book and alight Giggleswick: return Settle
(bus out from Giggleswick and back to Settle)

7 miles Easy
26 Oct Garsdale Circular
via Thwaite Bridge, Cotter End, the High Way and Lunds
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight and return Garsdale
13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Settle Circular
via Langcliffe and Stainforth
Book, alight and return Settle 7 miles Easy
November 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
02 Nov Steeton Circular
via Sutton, the Gorge, America Farm, Pole Stoop Hill, Newsholme Dean, Slippery Ford, Wainmans Pinnacle and Lunds Tower
From the 08.54 Leeds to Skipton train
Book, alight and return Steeton
14 miles Strenuous
Kelbrook Circular
via Scaldbank, Noyna and Slipper Hill
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
9 miles Easy/Moderate
09 Nov Garsdale to Kirkby Stephen
via Wharton Hall and Stenkrith Park
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book and return Kirkby Stephen: alight Garsdale
13 miles Moderate/Strenuous

Guiseley to Menston
via Otley Chevin
From the 09.32 Leeds to Ilkley train
Book and return Menston: alight Guiseley
7 miles Easy
16 Nov Clapham to Bentham
via Newby and Ingleton
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book and return Bentham: alight Clapham
11 miles Moderate
Bingley to Saltaire
via Five Rise Locks and Shipley Glen Tramway
Book, alight and return Bingley 6 miles Easy
23 Nov Settle Circular
via Winskill, Catrigg Foss, Stainforth, and Smearsett
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book, alight and return Settle
13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Barnoldswick Circular
west towards Coverdale
Book, alight and return Skipton
(bus out from and back to Skipton)
7 miles Easy
30 Nov Keighley Circular
via the Worth Way
Book, alight and return Keighley 11 miles Moderate
Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge
via Canal and River
From the 09.43 Leeds to Chester train
Book and return Hebden Bridge: alight Sowerby Bridge
6 miles Easy
December 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
07 Dec Horton to Settle
via Sulber Nick, Moughton and Austwick
From the 07.48 Leeds to Carlisle train
Book and alight Horton: return Settle
13 miles Strenuous
Laneshaw Bridge to Earby
via Foulridge Upper and Lower Reservoirs
Book and return Skipton: alight Keighley
(bus out from Keighley and back to Skipton)
10 miles Moderate
14 Dec Todmorden to Hebden Bridge
via Stoodley Pike and Cragg Vale
From the 08.43 Leeds to Manchester Victoria train
Book and alight Todmorden: return Hebden Bridge
11 miles Moderate
Keighley Circular
via the Worth valley
Book, alight and return Keighley 7-8 miles Easy
21 Dec Cononley Circular
via Lothersdale and Pinhaw Beacon
From the 08.54 Leeds to Skipton train
Book, alight and return Cononley
12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
Settle Circular
via Giggleswick
Book, alight and return Settle 7 miles Easy
28 Dec Skipton Circular
via Draughton Moor and Embsay
Book, alight and return Skipton 12 miles Moderate
Skipton Circular
via Embsay
Book, alight and return Skipton 7 miles Easy

 

 


definitions of walk grades

EASY
Leisurely walks at a gentle pace with regular stops for viewing and refreshment. Any climbs will be of modest gradient and length.

MODERATE
These walks cater for the more experienced walkers. Expect a full day's walk at a steady pace. The walk may well encounter steeper gradients and more difficult terrain.

STRENUOUS
A full day's walk at a brisk pace, you probably will encounter steep slopes and difficult terrain. The walk may also include yomping and/or short scrambles. There could be time constraints.

 

Past Train Walks
2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

 

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