R2S Archive 2012 - 2018

Ride2Stride - the Settle-Carlisle Walking Festival

ride2stride

Walks 2014

Every day of the festival there are a number of walks on offer, all leaving from stations along the line.

The walks are organised by different groups, each one led by an experienced walk leader.

Most start directly from the station, where you will be met from the train by your walk leader.

A few walks include a bus ride, to extend the range of the walks (marked *b - an additional fare is payable).

The walks are graded according to the effort required and the difficulty of the terrain - see examples opposite.

In each case you should arrive properly prepared with good walking boots and clothes (including waterproofs) and enough food and drink for a full day.

Guided walks

There are also some easy guided walks for you to enjoy:

Behind the Scenes
Tuesday, April 29, 09.51, Settle (½ mile, Easy).

Kick off the Festival with a guided tour of the newly renovated Settle Water Tower and the restored Settle Signal Box. Join Mark and Pat Rand as they show you around their extraordinary new home, as featured on Channel 4's Restoration Man.

Ribblehead Heritage Tours
Wednesday April 30, 10.25, Ribblehead (3 miles, Easy)
& Saturday May 3, 12.30, Ribblehead (3 miles, Easy)
& Monday May 5, 10.25, Ribblehead (3 miles, Easy)

The Ribblehead Viaduct is the highlight of the route with its magnificent 24 arches spanning Batty Moss over 100 ft below. Join the Ribblehead Tour to look at the archaeological sites and history of the Viaduct. Hear how the navvies lived and built this tremendous structure with assistance from steam cranes and muscle power. Places visited will include the site of Batty Green shanty town including the site of the hospital, the narrow-gauge tramway, the maintenance shed for the steam locomotives, the brickworks, lime kilns, the stone-sorting area and the Viaduct itself.
On Wednesday and Monday there's an optional extended tour (5 miles, approx 4½ hours) of the Ribblehead Viaduct site and a visit to the Force Gill aquaduct from where the entrance to Blea Moor Tunnel can be viewed - bring a packed lunch - Moderate.
Meet at the Ribblehead Station Heritage Centre.
Please note - there is a charge of £3.00 for non rail users joining these tours.

Ribblehead Viaduct

 

Walk grades

Walks are graded according to the level of effort required and the difficulty of the terrain. If in doubt, try an easy walk first.

EASY - Leisurely walks with regular stops for viewing & refreshment. Any climbs will be of modest gradient & length.

EXAMPLE:
Wigglesworth Wader Walk
Thursday, May 1, 09.44, Long Preston (5 miles).
Join Adrian Shepherd (RSPB) and David Tayler (YDMT) for a gentle circular walk from Long Preston on the Ribble floodplain to view the managed habitat for breeding wading birds, created since 2004. The area is fairly flat, though can be muddy and uneven in places.
Wetlands near Long Preston

MODERATE - These cater for the more experienced walkers. Expect a full day at a steady pace. You may well encounter steeper gradients & more difficult terrain.

EXAMPLE:
Landscapes of Upper Ribblesdale
Wednesday, April 30, 09.58, Horton-in-Ribblesdale (7 miles)
Experience the changing landscapes of Upper Ribblesdale on this circular walk, including classic limestone scenery and views of the magnificent Three Peaks. A route packed with information, the walk includes parts of the Pennine Way and the Pennine Bridleway.
Upper Ribblesdale

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.

EXAMPLE:
High Cup Nick
Wednesday, April 30, 10.48, Appleby (15 miles)
An exciting and very strenuous circular walk from Appleby via Murton Pike and High Cup Nick, includes some boulder scrambling!

Whilst walk leaders take every care, your comfort and safety are your own responsibility.