Settle Loop
The Settle Loop is a 40 km circular fell-running route from Settle in the Yorkshire Dales — visiting Victoria Cave, Attermire Scar, Pen-y-ghent and the limestone country above Ribblesdale in a satisfying circuit of the southern 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 Settle Loop
Settle is one of the finest market towns in the Yorkshire Dales — a working town with a genuine character rather than a tourist overlay. The Settle Loop uses it as a base for a circular fell run taking in the limestone scenery immediately north and east: the remarkable Victoria Cave (where Ice Age animal bones were found), Attermire Scar's impressive limestone scars, and the southern approaches to Pen-y-ghent.
At 40 km with around 1,500 m of ascent, it is an excellent one-day training run combining easy limestone running with more demanding moorland sections.
The route
From Settle: north past Attermire Scar and Victoria Cave. East to the Horton-in-Ribblesdale area and the southern slopes of Pen-y-ghent (optional summit diversion). Return south via Stainforth Force and Ribblesdale.
Getting there & logistics
Base: Settle. Train on the Settle-Carlisle line from Skipton (Leeds/Bradford connections).
Best time: Year-round. Limestone drains well.
Safety
The Pen-y-ghent section is exposed moorland. Limestone pavement can be slippery when wet. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Cave Rescue Organisation covers the Dales. Pre-register SMS 999.
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