Guided Walks and Tours

Welcome to FoSCL's Programme of Guided Walks and Tours.

We look forward to welcoming you on one of our walks!

Make sure you bring adequate food and drink; waterproofs and spare dry warm clothing; walking boots or strong shoes for shorter summer walks.

Please read the 'Important Information' page. You will find some good advice on what to expect and what you need to know before you come on a walk.

For a brief introduction to the Footsteps in Time Ribblehead Heritage Tours see the 'Heritage Tours' page.


26 July 2025 - Ribblehead to Horton

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ribblehead 10:38 Depart: Horton 16:21
Length
8 miles
Grade
Hiker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Ribblehead - Our second walk starts at Ribblehead with its famous viaduct before journeying to Thorns, a long deserted hamlet, and finishes at Horton.

Route: Ribblehead - Thorns - High Birkwith - Ribble Way - Horton

Distance: 8mi / 13km


02 August 2025 - Ribblehead Circular

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ribblehead 10:38 Depart: Ribblehead 16:15
Length
8 miles
Grade
Walker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

A circular walk with impressive views of the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct so plenty of photo opportunities!

Route: Ribblehead, Winterscales Farm, The Scar, Philpin Lane, Great Douk Cave, Ribblehead

Distance: 7.5mi / 12km


09 August 2025 - Flowerpot Frenzy with Bill and Ben

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Settle 10:21 Depart: Settle 16:30
Length
7 miles
Grade
Walker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Splendid views of the Ribble Valley on this leisurely paced walk and a chance to enjoy the Settle Flowerpot Festival.

Route: Settle, Upper Settle, Lodge Road, Ribble Way, Giggleswick, Stackhouse, Langcliffe Weir, Settle

Distance: 7mi / 11.27km


16 August 2025 - Mallerstang Edge

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Garsdale 09:21 Depart: Kirkby Stephen 17:15
Length
14 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

This has to be one of the wildest and most breathtaking walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Definitely one of our favourites!

Route: Garsdale Station , Moorcock Pub, Lady Anne's Way, Hell Gill, Mallerstang Edge, High Seat, High Pike, Nateby Common, Nateby, Kirkby Stephen Station

Distance: 14mi / 22.5km


23 August 2025 - Kirkby Stephen Circular

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Kirkby Stephen 09:34 Depart: Kirkby Stephen 15:47
Length
10 miles
Grade
Hiker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Smardale Nature Reserve is just one of the highlights on this stunning walk in the area around Kirkby Stephen.


Route: Kirkby Stephen Station, Smardale Bridge, Nature Reserve, Waitby Crossing, Kirkby Stephen Town

Distance: 10.5mi / 17km


30 August 2025 - Ribble Valley Line: Ramsgreave to Whalley

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ramsgreave 12:09 Depart: Whalley 16:31
Length
8 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Travel on the Yorkshire Dales Explorer train service to the beautiful Ribble Valley. Important: see our website for train info.

Route: Ramsgreave, Wilpshire, Dean Clough Reservoir, Sunny Bank, Nab Wood, Whalley

Distance: 8mi / 13kmImportant information: 

Connecting train times:

10:18 Leeds to Morecambe - Alight Hellifield at 11:11

09:27 Carlisle to Leeds – Alight Hellifield at 11:13

Board Rochdale Service - Depart 11:30

Note: We strongly recommend making return connections at Settle rather than Hellifield due to additional facilities and railway staff being on hand should problems arise.

Train arrives 17:10 for Leeds 17:58 and Carlisle 17:49.

Train fare tips: If travelling from Leeds, it is cheaper to split your ticket –

Return: Leeds to Settle (Alighting at Hellifield on outward journey)

Return: Hellfield to Ramsgreave and Wilpshire

 


06 September 2025 - Lunch with Pendragon

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Kirkby Stephen 11:05 Depart: Kirkby Stephen 17:15
Length
8 miles
Grade
Walker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

You will have plenty of time to admire the views on this leisurely paced circular walk from Kirkby Stephen.

Route: Kirkby Stephen station,Halfpenny House,Bullgill,Tommy Road,Pendragon Castle,Birkett Common,Mire Close bridge,Kirkby Stephen Station

Distance: 8mi / 13km


13 September 2025 - Langwathby to Armathwaite

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Langwathby 10:01 Depart: Armathwaite 16:32
Length
13 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

A long walk through the Eden Valley with time for a visit to a must see: Long Meg and Her Daughters ancient stone circle.

Route: Langwathby, Hunsonby, Long Meg, Kirk Oswald, Staffield Park, Coombs Wood, Armathwaite

Distance: 13mi / 21km


20 September 2025 - Hellifield to Settle via Scaleber Force

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Hellifield 10:12 Depart: Settle 16:30
Length
8 miles
Grade
Walker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

This walk offers a chance to visit the impressive Scaleber Force, a stunning 40ft waterfall within Scaleber Wood Nature Reserve.

Route: Hellifield, Newton Moor, Langbar Lane, Scalebor Force, Settle

Distance: 7.5mi / 12km


27 September 2025 - Gargrave Circular along the Aire

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Gargrave 10:03 Depart: Gargrave 16:47
Length
10 miles
Grade
Hiker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Circular riverside walk from Gargrave following the Aire with fabulous views and fascinating architecture.

Route: Gargrave, Airton, Calton, Friars Head, Gamsbers Wood, Gargrave

Distance: 10mi / 16km