Settle Limestone Loop

The route

Start in Settle and make a 15.2km loop that heads west onto Giggleswick Scar, runs north beneath Smearsett Scar to Stainforth, then returns along the River Ribble, with around 330m of climbing. It is a route of two halves: the higher ground of scar and walled pasture, and the gentler riverside back to the market square. The climbing is steady rather than steep, so the loop stays runnable while still giving a real sense of the dale.

The country

Settle sits where the limestone meets the river, and this loop makes the most of both. Above the town the ground rises to scars and knotts along the line of the Craven Fault, classic Dales limestone of pale crag, clint and grike, with long views up Ribblesdale towards the Three Peaks. Dropping back to the Ribble, the route follows the river through pasture and past old mills to the heart of Settle. It is understated compared with the honeypots up the dale, but it is genuine, varied Dales running with barely a soul about.

Why it works

This is a route for a satisfying medium-length outing close to a proper base. The ground is a good mix of limestone path, walled track and riverside, so it stays interesting, and the navigation is largely straightforward with a little care needed on the open tops. It suits a steady run, a loop with company, or a first taste of Ribblesdale beyond the famous peaks. The limestone is slick when wet and the riverside holds mud after rain, so choose your footing. Settle, with its station, cafes and pubs, makes the logistics easy and the finish enjoyable. If you want a bigger day, Catrigg Force is a short climb from Stainforth, and Attermire Scar and Victoria Cave sit on the other side of town.