Trail running near Settle
21 routes within 15km · free GPX downloads
MODERATESettle Loop
Classic Dales limestone running — pavements, green lanes, and big views for modest effort. Settle is one of the best trail running towns in the Dales.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARDFountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Settle
Town-to-summit running at its best, starting from Settle's cobbles and reaching the wild tops of Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent before the long loop home.
Checked Jul 2026
MODERATE
Settle Limestone Loop
You get a proper sampler of Ribblesdale from one town: limestone scars and green pasture on the tops, the River Ribble in the valley, and Settle's cafes waiting at the end.
Checked Jul 2026
HARD
Victoria Cave and Attermire Scar
You climb straight to Victoria Cave, a huge fault-line cavern that gave up bones of ancient hippo and bear, set in the theatrical limestone cliffs of Attermire Scar.
MODERATE
Settle, Stainforth and the Waterfalls
You link two very different waterfalls in one short loop: broad Stainforth Force, where salmon leap in autumn, and Catrigg Force, hidden in a deep wooded ravine you would run straight past without the sign.
HARD
Malham Tarn to Langcliffe Scar
You run from Malham Tarn out across the high limestone to Langcliffe Scar, joining the two greatest pieces of Dales limestone in one loop.
Checked Jul 2026
HARDFountains Fell and Arncliffe from Malham Tarn
The classic Malham scenery gives way to wide open fell country and a summit that feels properly remote despite being only 8km from the village.
Checked Jul 2026
MODERATEMalham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janets Foss from Malham
Three of England's most dramatic limestone features in one run — with a scramble through Gordale Scar that makes most runners grin.
Checked Jul 2026
HARDMalham Cove and Malham Tarn
The classic Malham circuit, joining the cove, its dramatic limestone pavement and the glittering tarn into one flowing mid-distance loop.
Checked Jul 2026
HARDEasy Malham Loop
Two of the Dales' most famous limestone features on one short, almost flat loop, perfect for an easy day or a first taste of trail running in Malhamdale.
Checked Jul 2026
EXPERTFountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Malham
A full 50km day that strings together the cove, the tarn and two major summits, a serious long-distance challenge through the heart of the Dales.
Checked Jul 2026
VERY HARDFountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Two contrasting Dales summits in one long loop, with the lonely moorland of Fountains Fell giving way to the unmistakable stepped profile of Pen-y-ghent.
Checked Jul 2026
EXPERTYorkshire Three Peaks Circuit
Three summits, 1,505m of ascent, and a finish back in Horton means that you have definitely earned a drink.
Checked Jun 2026
HARDPen-y-ghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale
A short, punchy mountain loop with a hands-on rocky step near the top, the most accessible of the Yorkshire Three Peaks summits.
Checked Jul 2026
EXPERTYorkshire Three Peaks Extended
A big day out on the most recognisable skyline in the Dales — three distinct summits, 1500m of climbing, and a finish that earns its beer.
Checked Jun 2026
MODERATEClapham and the Ingleborough Estate
You get the full Ingleborough approach, the show cave, the dark cleft of Trow Gill and the perched boulders at Norber, without committing to the summit itself.
Checked Jul 2026
MODERATE
Sulber Gate from Clapham
You get a taste of the Three Peaks landscape - limestone pavement, wide moorland views, Ingleborough looming ahead - without committing to the full challenge or its usual crowds.
MODERATE
Gisburn Forest 10k
Gisburn is one of the few places round here where you can run fast on dry, purpose-built trail whatever the moor is doing, and the forest hub means coffee and toilets at the start.
MODERATEStocks Reservoir and Gisburn Forest
Reservoir views, forest trails, and barely any climbing. One for when you want miles without mountains — or when the rest of the Dales is under a cloud.
Checked Sept 2026
MODERATELitton and Halton Gill
Littondale is one of the hidden valleys of the Dales, all drystone walls, tiny hamlets and empty fells, and this loop gives you its prettiest upper stretch with barely another soul about.
Checked Sept 2026
HARD
Horse Head and Cosh from Halton Gill
The Horse Head Pass links Littondale and Langstrothdale on a route that barely anyone runs, so you get proper Dales solitude on ground that's been used as a working crossing for centuries.
Running near Settle
Settle is the natural base for Pen-y-ghent and the Three Peaks circuit. The Ribble Valley and surrounding limestone fells offer everything from easy riverside paths to serious fell routes.
In an emergency
Call 999 or 112 — ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.
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Common questions
- There are 21 trail running routes within 15km of Settle on Trail Running Planet, ranging from easy riverside paths to serious fell routes. All include free GPX downloads.