Walks by Bus and Train in the Dales

Walk 2: Dent to Ribblehead

High hills, moors, valleys and views all the way (both outward and return).  Walking from Dent Station to Ribblehead

Map: Outdoor Leisure Map  No.2

Distance:  9.2 miles (14.7 km), Easy gradients after the first ascent.  Good surfaces.

Walking time: about 4½ hours, plus any stops.

Getting There: Use the Leeds - Settle - Carlisle rail service from any point between Leeds and Carlisle.  Alight at Dent station.See National Rail Journey Planner for times.

The Route: From the platforms walk down the station approach to the surfaced road, turn uphill and walk on the verges, where possible, for one mile.  The road starts to ease leftwards there, but look for the wide bridleway lane turning right.  Take this and follow it round the contour for 2 miles to its junction with another wide track.

Turn right descending Arten Gill.  After one mile pass under the railway and 10 minutes later you will meet the Dentdale to Newby Head road.  Turn left along it walking on the right-hand side and watching out carefully for cars.  This is about a ¾ mile (say 20 minute) stretch with the Youth Hostel just over half way along.  At Bridge End look for the entrance onto the next section of path on the right. Cross the bridge, turn left and follow the path aiming at the old farm ahead.  Continue beyond in the same general direction onto a slight ridge and shortly veer slightly right to the mouth of the railway tunnel.

From there follow the track south-westwards through conifers at first and then across open moor in a straight line over the top of the rail tunnel.  Once the railway reappears, our route simply parallels it with the tracks near at hand on the right.  Keep going to the viaduct and finally reach the pub and station at Ribblehead.

Getting back:  Return by train on the same line.