Ribble Way
The Ribble Way is a 130 km route from the Ribble estuary at Longton near Preston to the source of the river on the Pennine moorland above Horton-in-Ribblesdale — following the River Ribble upstream through Lancashire and into the Yorkshire Dales.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Ribble Way
The Ribble Way traces the second longest river entirely in England from its tidal estuary on the Lancashire coast to its source on the Pennine moorland near Ribblehead. It is an unusual long-distance route in that it runs inland from coast to moorland rather than the conventional coast-to-coast — and the transition from the flat Lancashire plain to the dramatic Yorkshire Dales is genuinely satisfying.
For trail runners it is a two to three day challenge on varied terrain — riverside paths, farmland tracks and open moorland. The lower section through the Ribble valley is straightforward; the upper section above Settle and into the Dales becomes more challenging. The final moorland section to the source on Cam Fell is the most demanding navigationally.
The route
Longton to Preston to Clitheroe (~50 km): Through the Lancashire plain and the start of the Ribble valley. Ribchester Roman fort is a highlight.
Clitheroe to Settle (~45 km): The middle Ribble valley — through Sawley and Bolton-by-Bowland. The valley narrows and the hills close in.
Settle to Ribblehead (~35 km): Into the Yorkshire Dales. Stainforth Force waterfall, the Ribble gorge above Horton. The final section to the source on Cam Fell is open moorland.
Getting there & logistics
Start: Longton or Preston. Preston has frequent trains from Manchester, London and Scotland.
Finish: Horton-in-Ribblesdale (train on the Settle–Carlisle line) or the source on Cam Fell (walk back to Horton).
Best time: April to October. The Cam Fell section is very boggy in wet conditions.
Safety
The upper Ribble and Cam Fell sections are exposed moorland with limited mobile signal. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Yorkshire Dales NP area is covered by Cave Rescue Organisation and Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association. Pre-register SMS 999.
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