Walks in Gearstones
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Gearstones on foot.
Walk: Ribblehead, a short walk
The Ribblehead viaduct is one of the most dramatic Victorian engineering achievements of the era. This short walk gives a real feel and understanding of the feat. The Route what3words for start point: ///rent.imagined.intestine Start Point: Parking places on the road at Ribblehead Finish Point: Ribblehead Distance: 5 Miles GPX Route Map ribbleheadashortwalkDownload Walk Description There is plenty of car parking on the road at Ribblehead. Walk towards the viaduct but do not pass under it. Continue alongside the railway for half a mile to a tunnel under the railway on your left. There is an option here to continue for a further half mile to stand above the railway and look in to the extraordinary mile and a half Blea Moor Tunnel . Return to the tunnel under the railway to Winterscales. Past the farm take the track on your left and return to pass under the viaduct. It is only then that you can understand the extraordinary scale of the structure.
Ribblehead Viaduct Circular Walk
Enjoy a circular walk travelling around this famous Grade II listed structure whilst breathing in the countryside air. Situated within the Yorkshire Dales, this hugely picturesque spot is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills. The Route Start Point: Car park off of the B6255 Finish Point: Car park off of the B6255 Distance: 4.22 Miles GPX Route Map ribblehead-viaductDownload Walk Description what3words for start point: ///rent.imagined.intestine Enjoy a circular walk travelling around this famous Grade II listed structure whilst breathing in the countryside air. Situated within the Yorkshire Dales, this hugely picturesque spot is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills. The impressive viaduct carries the Settle to Carlisle Railway across Batty Moss in the valley of the River Ribblehead. Whether you’re isolating alone or with someone you love, be sure to add this glorious destination to your list of Yorkshire walks. You can start the walk from the car park just to the south of the viaduct, off the B6255. You can also visit the viaduct by public transport by catching the train to Ribblehead railway station. It's an interesting little station with a small shop selling memorabilia and a Visitor Centre which includes exhibits about the history of the line and the fight to keep it open. From the car park footpaths head north on the eastern side of the railway line, taking you to Winterscales Farm. Here you turn south west towards Broadrake, before crossing Winterscale Beck and heading back towards the viaduct. After your walk you can enjoy refreshments at the excellent Station Inn. The classic stone pub overlooks the viaduct and has free parking. You can follow the path to the viaduct by using the google street view link below. It shows the surfaced path with views of the viaduct and hills behind. To extend your walking in the area you could continue west and visit Twistleton Scar where there is some splendid limestone scenery. Food & Facilities Try The Old Hill Inn or The Station Inn (booking advisable) or travel on to nearby Ingleton for bakeries, pubs, shops and accommodation.
Walk: Pennine Bridleway National Trail
From the Peak District to the Yorkshire Dales, follow old drover’s roads, ancient packhorse routes and bridleways on a journey through the stunning and varied landscapes of the Pennines. The Route what3words for start point: ///woof.perch.saves Start Point: Middleton Top, Derbyshire Finish Point: Ravenstonedale, Cumbria Distance: 205 Miles GPX Route Map penninebridlewayelev20200819Download Walk Description The Pennine Bridleway is the only National Trail specifically designed to be used by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. The 205 mile route stretches from Middleton Top in the Peak District to Ravenstonedale in the Yorkshire Dales and traverses a variety of landscapes, from open moorland to steep-sided wooded river valleys, along ancient packhorse routes, drovers’ roads and bridleways. The Yorkshire Dales section features spectacular limestone landscapes including great views of Malham Tarn and the Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, as well as the 10 mile circuit of the Settle Loop. Much of the trail is stile-free and sections of it are accessible for those using all-terrain wheelchairs. The trail calls at historic Yorkshire towns such as Hebden Bridge as well as tranquil villages, and you'll find a host of pubs, cafes, accommodation options and visitor attractions along the way. You can walk a section of the Pennine Bridleway as a day out, or if you're looking for a longer walk , enjoy it as a multi-day adventure.
Dales Way Walk
Starting in Ilkley and finishing on the shores of Lake Windermere, the Dales Way is a 78 mile walk through the Yorkshire Dales and into the Lake District. The Route Start Point: Ilkley Finish Point: Windermere Distance: 78 Miles Getting there Ilkley is easily accessed by bus, train, car and is only a short taxi ride from Leeds-Bradford Airport. GPX Route Map DalesWayDownload Walk Description This walk was initially devised by the West Riding Ramblers' Association with the 'leading lights' being Colin Speakman and Tom Wilcock (Footpath Secretary). The route was announced to the public in 1968 and the first recorded crossing was by a group of Bradford Grammar School Venture Scouts in 1969. The first half of the walk follows the River Wharfe upstream to the main watershed of Northern England at Ribblehead. The second half follows several river valleys (Dentdale, River Mint, River Kent) to descend to the shores of Windermere. Most walkers tackling this route take about a week, in sections of 10 to 15 miles per day and taking a rest day or two. Accommodation Staying the night near the Buckden to Gearstones section is possible at: Oughtershaw Hall The George Inn, Hubberholme Nethergill Farm Luggage help If you would like help with planning or transporting luggage on this route, the Dales Way Association has a list here: http://www.dalesway.org/services.htm
Walk: Ribble Way
The Ribble Way is a scenic long-distance footpath that stretches from the Lancashire coast to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, closely following the River Ribble as it journeys from the Ribble Estuary to its source on Gayle Moor. The route offers a rich variety of landscapes, including tidal marshes, expansive moorland, and dramatic limestone gorges, providing walkers with a diverse and ever-changing backdrop. Route What3Words: ///:rainy.fruitcake.replenish Distance: 65 miles Start location: Just near the River Douglas, by The Dolphin Inn, Marsh Lane, Longton, Preston, Lancashire PR4 5JY Finish Location: Newby Head Pass, Hawes DL8 3LX OS Walking Map & GPX Download Our OS map below shows the full route. Under the map, you can find a GPX file download for your navigational device. ribble-way-routeDownload Walk Description Starting at Longton on the Lancashire coast, the path meanders through or near several key locations. It first reaches the historic city of Preston before continuing to the ancient Roman town of Ribchester, known for its archaeological significance and the remains of a Roman fort. From there, the path leads to Hurst Green and the picturesque grounds of Stonyhurst College, a Jesuit school with centuries of history. Continuing onward, the route passes through the quaint village of Great Mitton, with its medieval church, and the bustling market town of Clitheroe, dominated by its iconic Norman castle perched on a limestone knoll. As the trail progresses, it winds through the charming villages of Chatburn and Sawley, with its serene abbey ruins, and then enters Gisburn, known for its proximity to Gisburn Forest, a popular spot for walking and cycling. The Ribble Way then takes walkers through the peaceful hamlets of Paythorne and Halton West, eventually reaching the historic village of Wrigglesworth. From here, it meanders through Rathmell, a village nestled in the shadow of the Pennines, before arriving in the lively town of Settle, a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Settle is famed for its stunning limestone scenery and the Settle-Carlisle Railway. The route continues through the picturesque village of Stainforth, known for its ancient packhorse bridge, and crosses the River Ribble at Helwith Bridge, a popular spot for anglers. It then passes through Horton in Ribblesdale, a key stop for those undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge, before ascending towards Ingleborough and Whernside, two of the Yorkshire Dales’ highest and most iconic peaks. Finally, the Ribble Way traverses the remote and rugged Blea Moor, offering expansive views of the surrounding dales, before culminating at the river’s source near Cam Head on Gayle Moor, a desolate yet beautiful highland that marks the end of this remarkable journey through the diverse landscapes of Lancashire and Yorkshire.