ride2stride

Walks 2016

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:

Appleby Castle Tour Wednesday, April 27, 11.36, Appleby (1 mile, Easy). £5.00. Join a very special Festival event with a guided tour of the recently reopened Appleby Castle. Meet at Appleby Station, or at the Tourist Information Centre for the 1 hour guided tour. There is a £5 fee payable for the Castle Tour only. A short 5-mile easy associated walk around the Appleby environs begins afterwards from the TIC at 1.30p.m. (FREE).

Ribblehead Heritage Tours Wednesday April 27, 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. 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, 09.43, Long Preston (6 miles). Back by popular demand! - 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: Clapham, Feizor & Giggleswick Scar Wednesday, Apr 27, 11.33, Clapham (9 miles) - Clapham Station is reached on the Morecambe Line from Leeds. Join YDS Vice President Colin Speakman on a linear walk from Clapham Station to Settle with spectacular views and some steep sections. Calls at Clapham village shop to meet anyone joining the walk from the Craven Connection 580/1 bus (departs Skipton 10.45; arrives Settle at 11.30).

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: Nine Standards Rigg Thurs, Apr 28, 10.34, Kirkby Stephen (13 miles). A strenuous circular walk from Kirkby Stephen station to this iconic landmark, well known to Coast to Coast walkers, via Nateby and Birkett Fell, returning via Kirkby Stephen for music in the Black Bull. (Walk leader - Alan Prosser)

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