Settle, Stainforth and the Waterfalls

The route

Start in Settle and loop north to Stainforth and back, a 9.8km circuit that takes in two of Ribblesdale's best waterfalls along the River Ribble. The ground is a gentle mix of riverside path, field track and quiet lane, with only modest climbing, so it stays runnable throughout. It is a short, rich outing that packs in more than its distance suggests, and it works well when the high fells are out of condition.

The waterfalls

Stainforth Force is a broad, stepped fall on the Ribble, famous as a spot to watch salmon leaping upstream in the autumn breeding season, with an old packhorse bridge above it. Catrigg Force is its opposite: a tall, narrow cascade hidden in a deep, wooded ravine above Stainforth, so well concealed you would miss it were it not signposted. Between them the route passes through Stainforth village and along the river, with the limestone country of Ribblesdale rising on either side.

Why it works

This is a route to savour. The distance is short, the navigation straightforward on clear paths, and the two waterfalls give it a proper sense of purpose. It suits an easy day, a run with the family, or a scenic loop when cloud sits on the tops. The riverside can be muddy after rain, the limestone is slick when wet, and the ground around Catrigg Force is steep and rooty, so take care near the falls, especially with children. Come in autumn to catch the salmon at Stainforth, when the river is full and the leaves are turning. Settle at the start is a proper market town with cafes, pubs and a station, so it is easy to make a morning of it.