Welcome to Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line free guided walks
Our free guided walks have a long history dating back to the earliest campaign to prevent the closure of the Settle-Carlisle train line. Click here foscl.org.uk/content/foscl to find out more about our work and history. It is a pleasure to still offer free guided walks all these years later and we are proud of the contribution the Friends have made to safeguard England’s most scenic railway for everyone to enjoy.
A pdf-format version of the current leaflet can be downloaded via the attachment link at the bottom of this page or click here for the full list of walks foscl.org.uk/guided-walks
THINKING OF COMING ALONG?
All of our free walks start and/or finish from stations on the Leed -Settle-Carlisle Line and do not require a car. There is no need to book in advance so just buy your train ticket and meet us at the station! Often, they are linear walks where the route takes us from one station to another which makes it more of an adventure! Our volunteers lead walks throughout the year with a fuller programme during the summer months.
So, leave the car at home, put down that guide book and map and get on the train! We look forward to you joining us to explore the beautiful countryside and experience a wonderful trip on the fantastic Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line.
Grades of Walks
Walker
A good walk in beautiful countryside. May be challenging but not too hard. You'll look forward to that cup of tea at the end…
Hiker
A full day's walking at a brisk pace across varied terrain. There will be hills...
Explorer!
Pace. Distance. Moorland. Mountains. All that the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Line has to offer. Are you up for it?
Everyone is welcome to come along but if you are new to hiking or have had a long break from it, please start with the easier walks. The landscape in this part of the country means that a route will almost always involve a hill or two, have stiles to climb over and possibly tricky terrain. It is best to build up to longer, more strenuous walks so that you enjoy them more and feel comfortable with the pace.
Travel Information
All the walks begin and end at one of the stations along the line. Walks are organised to connect with the following trains according to the direction of travel:
Most walks are timed to use the 09:19 train from Leeds to Carlisle (09:09 on Sundays).
However, some walks use the earlier (07:48 from Leeds) or later (10:49 from Leeds) trains.
Please check train times and stations carefully when reading the walk details.
Please check the current timetable www.northernrailway.co.uk to see what time the relevant train arrives at the start station. Details of connecting trains are available online from National Rail Enquiries via www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Some walks use additional bus journeys. Normal fares and concessions apply on these journeys.
Return trains are shown for guidance only - these may be varied on the day by the Walk Leaders due to prevailing or forecast weather conditions or the pace of the group. You are strongly advised NOT to purchase Advance Tickets for specific timed trains.
Engineering work sometimes causes disruption and alterations to the published timetable (usually Sundays).
Changes or cancellations to these walks will be notified on the FoSCL website www.foscl.org.uk
There are no walks specifically from Carlisle - Leeds trains. However, some walks are accessible by train from Carlisle with a short wait for the train from Leeds. We regret that if the train from Carlisle is delayed the walk will start upon the arrival of the train from Leeds.
Train Tips
Save 1/3rd on all your trips on the Leeds - Settle Carlisle and Leeds - Lancaster - Morecambe lines with a Dales Railcard AND get some great winter offers. The Dales Railcard is available to all residents along the line and ALL FoSCL Members irrespective of where you live. See www.foscl.org.uk for full details.
If your walk is between stations it is normally cheaper to buy a return to the FURTHEST station. Off peak Day Returns are valid at all times on Saturdays and Sundays and after 0930 on weekdays. Remember that break of journey is allowed so you can stop off on the way back for a drink or meal or catch an earlier morning train and have breakfast en route. Settle and Skipton have several eateries and there are pubs within 5 minutes walk of Ribblehead and Horton stations.
If you are travelling from further afield than Leeds please check to see if “split-ticketing ” is cheaper than the through fare but remember that the trains that you use MUST stop at the station where you split the tickets.
Conditions of participation
Walking in the Dales can involve crossing rough terrain with steep slopes and inclement weather. All participants on these guided walks are asked to be aware of this and accept the following conditions:
- NO DOGS except Registered Assistance Dogs.
- Young people under 18 and vulnerable adults must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult/carer.
- Walkers’ safety is their own responsibility.
- No liability or claim can be accepted by the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line or its Officers, or Committee Members or Walk Leaders; The Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company or the Leeds - Lancaster - Morecambe Community Rail Partnership for any loss, damage, accident or personal injury however caused on these walks.
- Participants are NOT covered by any of the above bodies for Personal Injury or Accident whilst on these walks.
- Walk leaders will be entitled to refuse participation on a walk if the leader judges that the person concerned is not fit or adequately clothed or equipped, or on health grounds, for the walk and prevailing conditions.
- Walk leaders reserve the right to vary or cancel the walk without notice if weather conditions or train operations so dictate. Wherever possible an update will be placed on the FoSCL website which participants should check before they commence their journey.
- The Walk Leaders decision shall be final.
- Please bring adequate food and drink; waterproofs and spare dry warm clothing; walking boots or strong shoes for shorter summer walks.
- Walkers are requested to remain with the party and to accept the pace set by the Leader which will take into account the distance, terrain, weather and time available.
- Return times are given in good faith but cannot be guaranteed.
- Most walks are offered on a “turn up and go” basis. The walk will not commence until the train from Leeds has arrived. For walks requiring booking (usually because use will be made of a minibus), bookings should normally be made by 1900 hours the previous day.
Any questions or feedback?
Please email [email protected]