SETTLE, YORKSHIRE DALES

SUNDAY, 27TH JULY 2008

Coach Leader: Bob Jones

Coach Leaves at 5.30 pm

Please read these coach notes carefully - they will help you to decide which walk will be the most suitable for you. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the leader for advice. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others, please try not to join a walk which is beyond your capabilities.
Please respect the wishes of the walks leader and remain with the walk until the end. If you are struggling - inform the walk leader so that he/she can make a decision to shorten the walk, have more rest, etc.

TODAY'S WALKS

Strenuous Leader: Jackie Gudgeon Distance: 10 miles

We will need a 10 minute walk along the road to get out of Settle in the direction of Giggleswick, when we join a rising track through woodland and then past a large working quarry before following a pleasant track along Giggleswick Scar with lovely views over Ribblesdale and the Bowland Hills. We then circle round via Feizor Thwaite to join the path into Little Stainforth and Stainforth. (lunch at the falls?). From Stainforth we have a climb to Catrigg Force, and another to Jubilee Cave, from where we follow rocky path past Victoria Cave, Attermire Scar and Warrendale Knots. Then a final climb up and over back to Settle.
We will not achieve any great height on this walk, but there are plenty of ups and downs to qualify it as STRENUOUS.

Moderate Leader: Bob Jones Distance: 9 miles

This is a delightful walk where wonderful views abound. The only downside is that these views must be earned by an early climb onto the fells. This is quite hard, but will be undertaken with at least one rest break.
Leaving Settle on a bridle path to Langcliffe, then up onto the fells heading for 'Catrigg Force' waterfall, where we will probably have lunch. We then head for Langcliffe Scar, the home of Jubilee, Victoria, and Attermire Caves (viewing Victoria is available). We then round Sugar Loaf Hill, noting the unusual profile of Warrendale Knotts (make up your own mind). Then a short climb and descent into Settle, where assorted delights await.

Leisurely Leader: Margery Howe Distance : 7 miles approx.

From Settle we climb Castle Hill with good views of Giggleswick en route, then through fields above Langcliffe and disused quarries to High Winskill Farm for lunch at Catrigg Force. After lunch we descend Goat Scar Lane to Stainforth, for a toilet stop if required. Across the packhorse bridge dating from 1670 now owned by the National Trust, to Stainforth Force, followed by a pleasant route back to Settle along the Ribble Way past weirs at Langcliffe and Settle.

Extra Leisurely Walk Leader: Derek Lee Distance: 6.5 miles

We will cross the river to Giggleswick, then have a steady climb of 400 ft to the edge of Giggleswick Scar. There are wide views of the country from here, as well as of the huge quarry! Care will be needed on parts of the limestone pavement. We have to walk the length of the Scar before crossing the moor via Feizor Thorpe and dropping down to the riverside again at Stackhouse. From here we will follow the river back to Settle.

Easy Leader: Sue Beeley Distance: 5.5 miles

We will start the walk today from the centre of Settle, and then walk towards Langcliffe. After about 1 mile we will have a bit of a climb but it will be worth it, the views at the top are lovely. At this point we are heading towards Victoria Cave. For those who wish there is a rough path up to the entrance of the cave and an information board. However you are not allowed in. The scenery today is outstanding - hope you have brought your cameras, and enjoy the walk.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Like other market towns in the Dales, Settle developed and prospered through its situation between the livestock farming of the uplands and the mixed and arable farming of the lower parts of the valley, in this case the Ribble. Settle's market charter goes back to 1249, granted for it to serve Ribblesdale and Craven. Market day is Tuesday, when the market square is filled with colourful stalls, looked down on by the unusual, two-story Shambles, whose arches are probably mid-18th century, but whose cottages were raised by a storey late last century. Two factors contribute to Settle's 'family atmosphere'. It has remained small, compact and intimate, and it has been faithful to its past, not having destroyed those buildings from the late 17th century onwards which are so important a part of its character.

Following the short streets from the market place - Constitution Hill and Castle Hill, High Street, Victoria Street and Albert Street, which were the old ways into town - will reveal the yards, squares, cottages, small houses and workshops which represent the rapid growth in activity from 1780 onwards, when the development of local crafts, trades and industries reduced Settle's reliance on farming.

The striking limestone scenery around Settle is a result of the numerous 'faults' or shifts in the geological strata, which have caused the characteristic 'scars' or cliffs of limestone to appear. Being a soft rock, the limestone has weathered into many fantastic and dramatic shapes. The long cliff that forms Langcliffe Scar is a 'cross-fault' running north-west from the main east-west Mid-Craven fault that is the major feature of the scenery around Settle.

The railway running up Ribblesdale is the Settle-Carlisle line, regarded as one of the greatest feats of Victorian railway engineering. Built between 1870 and 1876, the line runs through some of the wildest mountain scenery in England.

The attractive little village of Stainforth owes its name to the old 'stony ford' across the river, now replaced by the packhorse bridge. The ford was on a major packhorse route between York and Lancaster, which was of considerable importance in monastic times. Stainforth Force is perhaps the most attractive fall on the Ribble. The river bed has been eroded into a series of steps and when the river is in spate, a lovely cascade can be seen.

Remains of numerous 19th century lime kilns dot the area between Stainforth and Langcliffe, and, at Langcliffe Quarry, there is a well-preserved Hoffman lime-kiln. This impressive structure was in use from 1873 to 1939. To produce a constant supply of lime (used to fertilise the moors and improve grazing) there was a series of chambers in the oval-shaped tunnel. The fire progressed slowly around the tunnel, firing each chamber in sequence. The area has now been developed into an industrial heritage trail with information boards - well worth exploring.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE.

Sunday 31st August 2008. Chipping, Lancashire.

Leaders: Strenuous: Jean Thomas, Moderate: Maurice Hall, Leisurely: Irene Wilcock & Dianne Pennington, Easy: Hazel Anderton & Ruth Melling.

Bookings Derek Lee. Cheques to Skelmersdale Rambling Club.

Coach pick-up times: Ormskirk bus station 8.40 am, Railway Road, Skelmersdale 8.50 am, Skelmersdale Baths car park 9.00 am.

Will walk leaders please let Jackie have details of their walks as far before the walk as possible. At least a week would be nice. Thanks. Those who have the technology can e-mail your notes - please use the address on the Contacts page.

SKELMERSDALE CHURCHES RAMBLING CLUB

Saturday 9th August 2008. Coniston, Lake District..

Coach leaves Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am, Railway Road Bus Stop 8.45 am, Skelmersdale Baths Car Park 8.50 am, Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am.

Bookings: Yvonne Turton.

RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION WEST LANCS GROUP

Sunday, 3rd August 2008. 10.30 am. Winter Hill from Great House Barn Information Centre. 8 miles.

Wednesday, 13th August 2008. 1.30 pm. Banks from car park in village centre on Hoole Lane. 5 miles.

Sunday, 17th August 2008. 1.30 pm. Freshfields Station. 6 miles.

Monday, 25th August 2008. 10.30 am. Towneley Park, Burnley. Leave M65 at J9 then A679, A646 and follow brown signs to Towneley Hall. Pay and Display car park (80p). Meet in front of Hall. 9 miles.

CLUB NOTES

COACH BOOKING

Please ensure that, before boarding your coach on the return journey, you complete your booking for the next ramble. It would be helpful if you could tell the coach booking officer if you do not intend to book for the next coach.

Please try to be back from your cup of tea or pint in plenty of time to book the next ramble before boarding the coach - bearing in mind that now we have two coaches this process can take quite a while!

REMEMBER COACH FARE FOR CHIPPING IS £10 (£12 NON MEMBERS).

MEMBERSHIP

Time to renew your membership if you have not already done so. Subs for the year 2008/9 will be £10. Please see Lin before boarding the coach for the return journey.

RUCKSACKS

Please store rucksacks, poles etc in the coach luggage compartment. Rucksacks etc should not be brought into the coach, except (with the prior permission of the driver on the day) for those two or three people who are getting off the coach on the way home at places other than the main dropping off points. Please remember that the rucksack rule is for our comfort and safety on the coach. Most members find it easy enough to bring a smaller bag on to the coach containing those things which are needed 'on the coach', and this requires only a little bit of thought when packing in the morning. Thanks.

Please make every effort to ensure that, when you leave the bus, you take all your possessions with you. Please check the luggage rack, under the seat, etc, not to mention the boot. Please try not to take anyone else's stuff. Thanks.

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SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB