*Settle, Yorkshire*
SATURDAY, 13th June 2026
THE COACH WILL LEAVE SETTLE AT 5.30 PM
Some useful information about Settle: Public toilets at Whitefriars Car/Coach Park – donations box. Pubs and Cafes – The Royal Oak, The Golden Lion, Talbot Arms, Bar 13, Attermire Café/Bar, Ye Olde Naked Man Café, Bike Shop & Café, The Folly Coffee House (yes it is open), The Nettle Bistro/Café, High Street Coffee. Two fish and chip shops.
‘A’ (Strenuous) Leader: John O’Donohue
Distance: 10 – 11 miles
Most of you will know this walk, we did it a few years ago.
We initially head out of Settle via Castlebergh Plantation, giving good views of Settle. Heading north we then take the Pennine Bridleway to the sleepy village of Langcliffe, continuing north following the River Ribble to Stainforth Force (good place for dinner). Heading out west we take the Dales Highway to Feizor and then start back home over the lovely Giggleswick Scar, finally returning back to Settle via Giggleswick.
Hopefully there should be time for a well-earned drink. Enjoy your walk.
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‘B’ (Moderate) Leader: Sue Davies
Distance: 7.5 miles, Total Ascent approx. 1160ft
We begin our walk with a steep climb up Constitution Hill, along the Pennine Bridleway, north up to Winskill Farm and onto Catrigg Force – nice spot for lunch. West to Stainforth stepping stones and onto Stainforth Force. South along the River Ribble down to the reservoir, passing Langcliffe Plate Mill and back into Settle.
Lots of gates. A few stiles and footbridges. Limestone is slippery wet or dry so take care. Walking poles may be useful if you have them.
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‘C’ (Easy) Leader: Julie Longley
Distance: 5 – 6 miles
North to Langcliffe along a quiet lane, through the village to footpath along the railway line to Stainforth. Then on to Stainforth Force waterfall. Back into Settle along the River Ribble.
Mainly flat, probably several stiles (not done a recce).
‘D’ (Easy Amble): Jackie Gudgeon
Distance: 2.5 – 3 miles
We have a couple of options this month, depending on who is with us, but will probably follow the river southwards along good made paths, then explore the village of Giggleswick. We can then walk along to Watershed Mill, a good retail outlet with café, before heading back into Settle.
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When available please make sure you read the notes on the walks carefully – they will help you to decide which walk will be the most suitable for you.
If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the leader for advice. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others, please try not to join a walk which is beyond your capabilities.
Please respect the wishes of the walks leader and remain with the walk until the end. If you are struggling – inform the walk leader so that he/she can make a decision to shorten the walk, have more rest, etc
* Notes on the area *
Like other market towns in the Dales, Settle developed and prospered through its situation between the livestock farming of the uplands and the mixed and arable farming of the lower parts of the valley, in this case the Ribble. Settle’s market charter goes back to 1249, granted for it to serve Ribblesdale and Craven. Market day is Tuesday, when the market square is filled with colourful stalls, looked down on by the unusual, two-story Shambles, whose arches are probably mid-18th century, but whose cottages were raised by a storey late last century. Two factors contribute to Settle’s ‘family atmosphere’. It has remained small, compact and intimate, and it has been faithful to its past, not having destroyed those buildings from the late 17th century onwards which are so important a part of its character.
Following the short streets from the market place – Constitution Hill and Castle Hill, High Street, Victoria Street and Albert Street, which were the old ways into town – will reveal the yards, squares, cottages, small houses and workshops which represent the rapid growth in activity from 1780 onwards, when the development of local crafts, trades and industries reduced Settle’s reliance on farming.
The striking limestone scenery around Settle is a result of the numerous ‘faults’ or shifts in the geological strata, which have caused the characteristic ‘scars’ or cliffs of limestone to appear. Being a soft rock, the limestone has weathered into many fantastic and dramatic shapes. The long cliff that forms Langcliffe Scar is a ‘cross-fault’ running north-west from the main east-west Mid-Craven fault that is the major feature of the scenery around Settle.
The railway running up Ribblesdale is the Settle-Carlisle line, regarded as one of the greatest feats of Victorian railway engineering. Built between 1870 and 1876, the line runs through some of the wildest mountain scenery in England.
The attractive little village of Stainforth owes its name to the old ‘stony ford’ across the river, now replaced by the packhorse bridge. The ford was on a major packhorse route between York and Lancaster, which was of considerable importance in monastic times. Stainforth Force is perhaps the most attractive fall on the Ribble. The river bed has been eroded into a series of steps and when the river is in spate, a lovely cascade can be seen.
Remains of numerous 19th century lime kilns dot the area between Stainforth and Langcliffe, and, at Langcliffe Quarry, there is a well-preserved Hoffman lime-kiln. This impressive structure was in use from 1873 to 1939. To produce a constant supply of lime (used to fertilise the moors and improve grazing) there was a series of chambers in the oval-shaped tunnel. The fire progressed slowly around the tunnel, firing each chamber in sequence. The area has now been developed into an industrial heritage trail with information boards – well worth exploring.
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* Coach Pick Up Points: *
Burscough War Memorial 8.20 am
Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am
Ormskirk School 8.30 am (ready for pickup)
Skelmersdale War Memorial 8.40 am
ASDA Bus stop 8.50 am (the coach will pick up at the bus stop on Northway near Asda – on the opposite side of the road to Bannatyne’s).
Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am
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NEXT RAMBLE:
Saturday 11th July 2026. Sedbergh, Cumbria
Skelmersdale Churches Rambling Club 