Friends of DalesRail

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

	December	January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August	September	October

Enquiry about an event? Please email us at enquiries@friendsofdalesrail.org

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.

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.

December 2023
DATE	ROUTE	BOOKING DETAILS	LENGTH/GRADE
16 Dec	Gargrave to Settle via Otterburn and Scaleber Force	From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train Book and return Settle: alight Gargrave (10.03)	12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
16 Dec	Gargrave to Thornton in Craven via Bank Newton, Ingthorpe Grange and Pennine Way	Book and alight (10.03) Gargrave: return Skipton (bus back to Skipton)	7 miles Easy
23 Dec	Skipton Circular via Eastby Gate and Lower Barden Reservoir Sorry no dogs	From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train Book, alight (08.55) and return Skipton	12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
23 Dec	Settle Circular via Mearbeck Woods	Book, alight (10.30) and return Settle	7 miles Easy
30 Dec	Hellifield Circular via Otterburn and Kirkby Malham	Book, alight (10.11) and return Hellifield	12 miles Moderate
30 Dec	Skipton Circular via Skipton Woods and Stirton	Book, alight (08.55) and return Skipton	6-7 miles Easy
January 2024
DATE	ROUTE	BOOKING DETAILS	LENGTH/GRADE
Monday 01 Jan	Shipley Circular via Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor	From the 09.56 Leeds to Skipton train Book, alight (10.07) and return Shipley	11 miles Moderate
Monday 01 Jan	Saltaire Circular via Bingley Five Rise Locks and Beckfoot	From the 09.56 Leeds to Skipton train Book, alight (10.10) and return Saltaire	7-8 miles Easy
06 Jan	Bingley Circular via Shipley Glen and Rocky Valley	Book, alight (09.37) and return Bingley	15 miles Strenuous
06 Jan	Gargrave to Skipton via Flasby Fell	Book and alight (10.03) Gargrave: return Skipton	10 miles Moderate
13 Jan	Skipton Circular via Carlton, Cononley, Jubilee Tower and Skipton Moor	Book, alight (09.58) and return Skipton	12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
13 Jan	Woodlesford to Leeds via Trans Pennine Trail	From the 10.32 Leeds to Sheffield train Book and alight (10.41) Woodlesford: return Leeds	6.5 miles Easy
20 Jan	Appleby Circular via Jerusalem Farm and Hoff Beck	Book, alight (11.17) and return Appleby	10 miles Moderate
20 Jan	Bare Lane to Lancaster via Coastal Path	From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train Book and alight (10.23) Bare Lane: return Lancaster	8 miles Easy
27 Jan	NEW YEAR DALESRAIL SPECIAL - 3 WALKS AND MEMBERS' ANNUAL DINNER AT THE WHEATLEY ARMS, BEN RHYDDING
	Ilkley to Ben Rhydding via Beamsley Beacon	From the 09.03 Leeds to Ilkley train Book and alight (09.31) Ilkley: return Ben Rhydding	13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
	Ilkley to Ben Rhydding via Ilkley Moor and Burley Moor	From the 09.32 Leeds to Ilkley train Book and alight (10.00) Ilkley: return Ben Rhydding	10 miles Moderate
	Menston to Ben Rhydding via High Royds and Burley in Wharfedale	From the 10.33 Leeds to Ilkley train Book and return Ben Rhydding: alight Menston (10.48)	7 miles Easy
February 2024
DATE	ROUTE	BOOKING DETAILS	LENGTH/GRADE
03 Feb	Long Preston to Settle via Malham and Pikedaw	From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train Book and return Settle: alight Long Preston (09.13)	13 miles Strenuous
03 Feb	Eastburn to Sutton-in-Craven via Goose Eye	From the 08.54 Leeds to Skipton train Book, alight (09.25) and return Steeton (bus out from and back to Steeton)	9 miles Moderate
10 Feb	Haworth to Hebden Bridge via Bronte Bridge, Walshaw Dean reservoirs and Widdop Gate	Book and alight (09.42) Keighley: return Hebden Bridge (bus out from Keighley, optional bus back to Keighley)	13 miles Moderate/Strenuous
10 Feb	Bingley Circular via St Ives	Book, alight (09.37) and return Bingley	7 miles Easy
17 Feb	Long Preston to Settle via Attermire Scar	Book and return Settle: alight Long Preston	11 miles Moderate
17 Feb	Clapham to Settle via Austwick and Feizor	From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train Book and alight Clapham: return Settle	8.5 miles Easy
24 Feb	Bingley to Ilkley (Stanza Stone Trail 1) via Rombalds Meadow, the Thimble Stones, Dew Stone, Puddle Stone and Beck Stone	Book and alight (09.37) Bingley: return Ilkley	14 miles Moderate/Strenuous
24 Feb	Barnoldswick Circular south towards Sough	Book, alight (09.58) and return Skipton (bus out from and back to Skipton)	7-8 miles Easy
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 and return Horton	15 miles Strenuous
02 Mar	Gargrave to Grassington via Flasby, Rylstone and Linton	Book and alight Gargrave: return Skipton (bus back to Skipton)	11 miles Moderate
09 Mar	Gisburn to Clitheroe via Ribble Way	Book, alight (09.58) and return Skipton (bus out from and back to Skipton)	10 miles Moderate
09 Mar	Walsden to Littleborough via Hollingworth Lake	From the 09.18 Leeds to Wigan train Book and return Littleborough: alight Walsden	7 miles Easy
16 Mar	Horton to Settle via Dub Cote and Catrigg Force	Book and alight 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 and return Kirkby Stephen	12.5 miles Moderate/Strenuous
23 Mar	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 Horton: return Settle	14 miles Strenuous
	Horton to Settle via Crummack Dale, Stainforth and Feizor	Book and alight Horton: return Settle	12 miles Moderate/Strenuous
	Settle Circular via Smearsett Scar	Book, alight and return Settle	10 miles Moderate
	Horton to Settle via Dub Cote and Helwith Bridge	Book and alight 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
06 Apr	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
13 Apr	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
20 Apr	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
27 Apr	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 - indicate 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
18 May	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
25 May	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
01 June	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
08 June	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
15 June	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
22 June	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
29 June	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
06 July	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
13 July	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
20 July	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
27 July	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
03 Aug	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
10 Aug	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
17 Aug	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
24 Aug	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
31 Aug	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
07 Sep	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
21 Sep	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
28 Sep	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
05 Oct	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
19 Oct	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
26 Oct	Settle Circular via Langcliffe and Stainforth	Book, alight and return Settle	7 miles Easy

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.