November Walks Outing No. 315

Our next walking will be on

Saturday 13th November

and will be from 

Settle in North Yorkshire

Settle is a bustling market town in the foothills of the Pennines amongst some of the most picturesque scenery in North Yorkshire. The town stands beside the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain - in a region of scars, cliffs, caves and potholes. At the rear of the town a zigzag footpath leads to the summit of Castleberg crag offering a vantage point of the town in its dale and fell. Settle is a good base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales. 

The market place at Settle in the valley of the Ribble, is on the dividing line between the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain (to the North) and rolling gritstone moorland.

Explore the limestone country, and you are in a stark but spectacularly attractive area of pearl-white scars, potholes and caves.

Here too are Malham, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and the Three Peaks - Whernside, Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent - each of which is served by good footpaths.

Limestone Pavement and Ingleborough - Where the limestone gives way to gritstone are grand waterfalls, which were joyfully visited by a young composer called Edward Elgar.

The moors, with their coverlet of peat and heather, are of the type known to the Bronte girls of Haworth. West of Settle is unspoilt Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Settle has a full range of Tourist amenities. Giggleswick, just across the river being the home of Giggleswick School.

The Settle and Three Peaks area has justifiably been chosen as the backdrop for a number of film and television produtions.  


There will be 3 walks;

• A Walk led by: Steven Edwards
• B Walk led by: Terry Simmons
• C Walk led by: George Mann

Weather forecast for Settle

A Party Walk from Settle

Walk Leader: Steve Edwards

Distance: 11.3 Miles

Total ascent: 1898ft

Settle is a bustling market town in the foothills of the Pennines and boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in North Yorkshire. The town is beside the largest outcrop of limestone in Britain which is peppered with potholes, caves, scars and cliffs. Heading west, out of town, a footpath leads to the summit of Castleberg crag from which there is a fantastic view of the town and surrounding area.

Settle is not really ‘A’ walking territory being just too far to reach one of the great Three Peaks to the North, so in true ‘A’ standard today’s walk will be more long than hard going.

We initially have a very steep walk out of town climbing about 1100 ft in 30 – 45 minutes for stunning views of the area. We then have a long steady walk ascending 600 ft to our highest point of 1700ft. On a good day the views are stunning with Pen-y-ghent magnificent in the distance and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. The walking is easy under foot with very good roads /tracks to follow.

On the way down we pass a large farm heading SW towards an oasis of trees which is hiding the beautiful Scaleber Force waterfall, certainly the jewel in the crown.

Although not a difficult walk, it is long and therefore a good pace will need to be maintained to allow for a brew at the finish. We also need to be aware of the reduced daylight hours in November.

To see this walk [with some modifications] in the reverse direction in March 2007 click here

B Walk from Settle

Walk Leader: Terry Simmons
Distance: 8 ½ miles. moderate.
Total Ascent/Descent: 1375ft

 

Taken from “Country Walking magazine”.

This is the first time I have tackled a “B” walk as leader and the word that comes to mind for this is particular walk is “challenging” but with reasonable weather very gratifying.

It is a steady climb for the main part, which also has a little of this after lunch. the walk commences from the centre of town, travelling south we head for Cleatop Woods then across fields through green lanes and after crossing the Settle - Malham road we pass beneath Warrendale Knots and Attermire Scar. 

As we approach Victoria Caves [which is just above us to the right], we find we are on our descent and enjoying excellent views of Langcliffe and Settle below on the left as we make our way through kissing gates and fields to our destination for a well earned beverage possibly in the “Naked Man Café“.. 

 

C Walk at Settle

Walk Leader: George Mann

Distance: about 6 miles

Total ascent: 570 ft

Proposed route

Starting from the main street we pass through an older part of Settle down to a footbridge and join the Ribble Way. This we follow all the way in places very close to the river until we arrive at Stainforth Force, a section of the river with rapids and falls. Here with luck we shall glimpse a salmon as they head up river to spawn. We then do a bit of minor road walking up through Little Stainforth village before leaving the road to cross fields climbing gently to Hanging Scar with a good view of Reinsber Scar (a limestone outcrop ) then above Stackhouse before making our way on a field path adjacent to the road as we return to Settle.

  above Stackhouse

Although this not a long walk there are about a dozen stiles, ( none too difficult to us walkers ) but with a party can be time consuming, however by giving assistance to others this can be kept to a minimum.  

The recce carried out following a days heavy rain and whilst the fields were soft and some areas muddy walking condition good.

 Stainforth Bridge

 Stainforth Force

B Walk Photo's at Coniston

Photo's from George Mann

A Walk photo's from Coniston

View all

Get your own

Coniston Weather