and descents. Navigational ability essential.
GPX tracks
GPX tracks for the routes in this guidebook are available to download free at www.cicerone.co.uk/922/GPX. A GPS device is an excellent aid to navigation, but you should also carry a map and compass and know how to use them. GPX files are provided in good faith, but neither the author nor the publisher accept responsibility for their accuracy.
THE SOUTH-WEST DALES AND THREE PEAKS
Leaders on the Settle Hills Race, 2017
ROUTE 1
Settle Loop
| Start/finish | Roadside lay-by, just off the Malham Tarn to Settle road: SD 830 652 |
| Distance | 13km (8 miles) |
| Ascent | 440m (1440ft) |
| Grade | Level 2 |
| Time | 2hr |
| Terrain | A mixture of grassy paths and stone tracks with a few hundred metres of road |
| Map | OS Landranger 98: Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale. OS Explorer OL2: Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Areas |
| Refreshments | A wide variety of shops, including two running/outdoor stores; cafés; and pubs in Settle |
| Public transport | Bus 580 from Skipton, 581 from Kirkby Lonsdale, 881 from Lancaster. Trains via the Settle–Carlisle railway line |
A fast run, with little ascent and descent, around Langcliffe Scar. The run takes in the paths and bridleways between Settle and Malham, following the Settle Loop of the Pennine Bridleway for much of the route. From the start, the route climbs gently and traverses under the limestone outcrop of Attermire Scar. Many small outcrops and caves lie just off the route, and it is worth taking a torch to explore some of them if you have time.
The second section of the route passes above Stockdale Farm before climbing a track east towards Malhamdale, providing good views over Malham Tarn. The final section follows the Pennine Bridleway as it undulates back towards Settle to complete a circuit of Langcliffe Scar.
1 Take the track uphill, crossing over the cattle grid. Run ahead to reach a gate after three-quarters of a kilometre. Turn sharp R through the gate and pass through a smaller gate. Follow the path up and along the bottom of Langcliffe and Attermire Scar, passing Victoria Cave, to reach a second gate. Continue ahead and then descend a rocky path to the footpath junction 2km.
The elephant in the cave
When excavated, Victoria Cave was found to contain the bones of hippopotamuses, elephants and spotted hyenas from 130,000 years ago.
The rocky outcrops of Attermire Scar
2 Turn L along the grassy path, passing through a small fenced area. Follow the grassy path alongside the wall to reach a small farm road. Turn L along the road for a few hundred metres. As the road descends to Stockdale Farm, look for the track on the L 3.6km.
3 Turn L through the gate and follow the rocky track up as it climbs the rough limestone plateau between Settle and Malham. As the path levels out, pass through a gate and run ahead to second gate. Continue ahead to a footpath junction 6km.
4 Turn L, following the footpath alongside the wall signposted ‘Pennine Bridleway Langscar Gate’. Gradually descend in a NW direction across several fields and gates to reach a junction where the Pennine Bridleway joins a track 7.1km.
5 Turn L along the Pennine Bridleway, climbing gradually to a gate. Continue ahead following a good track as it undulates around the north side of the limestone plateau. Pass through several gates before running past a small patch of coniferous woodland 11.5km.
6 Continue ahead, as the track becomes more substantial, aiming for a small notch in the limestone escarpment. Pass through this and descend to meet the outward leg of the route at a gate. Continue to descend back to the starting point 13km.
Last section of the Settle Loop with Pen-y-ghent and Fountains Fell behind
ROUTE 2
Crummackdale
| Start/finish | Roadside parking near Austwick: SD 769 691 |
| Distance | 12km (7½ miles) |
| Ascent | 325m (1070ft) |
| Grade | Level 3 |
| Time | 2hr |
| Terrain | A mix of grassy paths, walled lanes and fields |
| Map | OS Landranger 98: Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale |
| Refreshments | Pub and shop in the village of Austwick |
| Public transport | Buses 580 and 581 from Skipton to Kirkby Lonsdale |
This is a hidden gem of a route, featuring one of the best examples of Yorkshire Dales scenery. Crummackdale is often missed in favour of runs up the higher peaks of Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. The run is filled with geological interest, passing through the world famous Norber Erratics, as well as limestone pavement and layers of Moughton Whetstone, a banded mudstone used to make whetstones for razors. The run passes places such as Beggar’s Stile and Thieves’ Moss.
The run begins just outside the village of Austwick and climbs up on to the plateau east of Ingleborough, before following a short section of the Yorkshire Three Peaks route. The second half heads south and west, crossing through the limestone pavement of Moughton, before dropping back down to the start using an ancient walled lane.
The moon setting over Norber
1 Take the track
