ride2stride

Walks 2015

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.

Some walks may 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 28, 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 29, 10.25, Ribblehead (3 miles, Easy) & Saturday May 2, 12.30, Ribblehead (3 miles, Easy) & Monday May 4, 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.

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: Conservation and Farming in Ribblesdale Friday, May 1, 11.17, Long Preston (6 miles). Join conservationist David Tayler, farmer Anthony Bradley and RSPB expert Adrian Shepherd on this fascinating walk that visits Mearbeck Farm, home to the famous Blue Pig Company, views the managed habitat of wading birds along the Ribble valley and returns through Cleatop Park Wood Nature Reserve. Blue Pig Company sausage sandwiches are available to buy at the farm at lunchtime.

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: Pennine Way from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Ribblehead Saturday, May 2, 11.54, Horton-in-Ribblesdale (8 miles) Celebrate 50 years since the creation of Britain’s first National Trail by walking this lovely section of the Pennine Way from Horton to Ribblehead via Ling Gill.

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: Climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks, day 2 - Ingleborough Sunday, May 3, 10.27, Ribblehead (15 miles) The second of a three day adventure - climbing all the Yorkshire Three Peaks in 3 days. Today climb Ingleborough from Ribblehead, returning to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

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