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weekend walks for the public

RELATED LINKS:

LEEDS-SETTLE-CARLISLE AND LEEDS-BENTHAM-MORECAMBE
Rail Timetable
2 June to
14 December 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

October November December


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.

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 09.20 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.
October 2024
DATE
ROUTE
BOOKING DETAILS
LENGTH/GRADE
12 Oct Horton Circular
via Crummack Dale
Book, alight (10.30) and return Horton 10 miles Moderate
19 Oct Ribblehead Circular
via Ingleborough
Book, alight (10.37) and return Ribblehead 10 miles Moderate
Kirkby Lonsdale Circular
via Whittington
From the 08.19 Leeds to Morecambe train
Book and alight (09.10) Giggleswick: return Settle
(bus out from Giggleswick and back to Settle)
7 miles Easy
26 Oct
Both our walks on this date have been changed due to planned engineering works on the railway.
Todmorden Circular
via Cross Stone and Colden
From the 08.42 Leeds to Manchester Victoria train
Book, alight (09.36) and return Todmorden
11 miles Moderate
Knaresborough Circular
via the river and woods
From the 09.59 Leeds to York (via Harrogate) train
Book, alight (10.44) and return Knaresborough
5 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 (09.25) and return Steeton
14 miles Strenuous
Kelbrook Circular
via Scaldbank, Noyna and Slipper Hill
Book, alight (09.56) 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 08.42 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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