Feefo service rating
close

Call us on 01707 537200

  • Monday - Friday9am - 5pm
  • Saturday9am - 1pm
  • SundayClosed
  • Bank HolidaysClosed
close

Call us on 01707 537200

  • Monday - Friday9am - 5pm
  • Saturday9am - 1pm
  • SundayClosed
  • Bank HolidaysClosed

The new name for Ramblers Walking Holidays & Adagio. A new name, a new world of possibilities! Learn more about us

X Close

Walking from the Settle to Carlisle Railway

Walks from the train on the most scenic rail route in England. Ride the railway each day – the last major civil engineering project built entirely by navvies.

  • Yorkshire

  • 4 nights
  • Half Board
  • Landscape

  • Jun

    Jul

    Sep

Moderate

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

Book now from £599

View Dates & Book Now

What does this mean?

Close

View Destinations

Close

Walking grade

Grade 5

Trips comprise of day walks with plenty of ups and downs, some steep and rough ground will be encountered at times and walks averaging 7 miles with 650m of ascent / descent. Some holidays will cover longer distances on easier paths, others will be shorter walks but have more demanding ascents and terrain.  

Usual daily walks - Distance: 7 miles; Ascent/Descent 650m; Terrain: generally decent paths and tracks with some steeper sections; Walking Time: Day walks. 

The above statistics are generalisations of a day’s keys walk, it does not include distance covered during general sightseeing or daily activity. Detailed information of the daily walking requirements are specified in the specific holidays ‘Daily Itinerary".

Close

Classic Collection

Thoughtfully designed, meticulously planned, carefully graded, and expertly guided walking tours and hiking holidays along well-loved and off-the-beaten-track footpaths.

Overview

Holiday Highlights

  • The route runs through 14 tunnels and over 20 viaducts including the iconic arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct – a triumph of Victorian civil engineering.
  • View magnificent wild moorland scenery.
  • Walk in the shadow of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks.
  • Accommodation in Settle, a small market town in Ribblesdale on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Settle to Carlisle railway is steeped in history and runs through 72 miles of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian landscapes between these two northern market towns, a journey through some of the finest scenery in Britain.

The route runs through 14 tunnels and over 20 viaducts including the iconic arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct – a triumph of Victorian civil engineering. Exploring the foot of the Ribblehead Viaduct, you can just make out the rectangular foundations of the huts where the community of navvies and their families lived and died to construct this marvel – a ghostly reminder of those who built our industrial heritage.

Your three walks take in some of the scenic highlights and heritage along the route and will include Dent to Ribblehead, a walk taking in high hills, moors, valleys – and great views. You will start and finish at the stations to enjoy both the country and the train which runs through it.

Settle itself is a small market town in Ribblesdale on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and sits amongst beautiful countryside at the foot of Castleberg Crag. The heart of the town is the 17th century market square with a thriving market on Tuesdays. The Old Naked Man café in the square, dates back to 1663 and is one of the oldest cafés in the country.

  • En suite three-star hotel accommodation on a half board basis
  • All local transport required for the itinerary by train
  • Services of a Classic Tour Leader
  • Entrance fees (unless otherwise specified)
  • Personal expenses (such as your bar bill)
  • Lunches
  • Discretionary tips
  • Optional excursions
  • Travel insurance

Holiday Information

Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.

NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen

View Holiday Information Sheet

Tour Codes

71254

Itinerary & Travel

Itinerary Details

Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival day

Meals

Dinner

Accommodation

Independent travel to the Falcon Manor Hotel in Settle. Check in is from 3pm. Meet your tour leader at approximately 6.30pm in the hotel bar for a briefing before dinner.

Day 2

Dent to Garsdale

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

  • Time

    5 hours

  • Distance

    7.5 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    393/398m

We offer you three days' walking in the Yorkshire Dales with travel to and from the walks on the scenic Settle to Carlisle railway. Dinner each evening is in the hotel restaurant.

Our proposed itinerary for the holiday includes;

Dent to Garsdale - You will take the train through the 2.9 km Blea Moor tunnel to Dent and descend into Dentdale, walking alongside the river Dee on the Dales Way for a short distance. Then you walk up out of Dentdale along an ancient track lined with stone walls. As you go up the views open out, back towards the railway viaducts at the head of Dentdale, and the Knoutberry Hill end of Whernside. Having reached the high point of the ridge between the two dales you strike out over the moorland and descend into Garsdale. You'll then descend the valley for a short distance, through the village of Garsdale, along the A684, before heading back up the valley towards Garsdale station. 

Along the valley you pass through woodland, cross many of the small irregular fields that line the valley, and pass a number of field barns. Garsdale station, once the junction with the now abandoned Wensleydale line, has interesting photographs of the station in its heyday and a statue of a dog, Ruswarp, the faithful companion of one of the key figures in the fight to keep the Settle-Carlisle line open.

Day 3

Horton to Ribblehead

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

  • Time

    5 hours

  • Distance

    9 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    315/247m

Horton to Ribblehead - Today you take a shorter train ride to Horton in Ribblesdale, the start of the classic Yorkshire Three Peaks walk, following a stretch of the Pennine Way along the hillsides above the river Ribble. This is classic limestone country and as well as the stone walls we should see shake holes, entrances to pot holes and caves, and some impressive deep gills. 

Having reached Ling Gill, you leave the Pennine Way to join the Ribble Way, and cross an area renowned for geologists as there are numerous drumlins, small rounded hills made up of debris from glaciers at the end of the last ice age. This stretch can be rather boggy until the deserted hamlet of Thorns is reached. This area was on a major drove route from the Dales, and you cross a dramatic packhorse bridge over a deep narrow gorge before reaching the edge of Blea Moor. 

If there is time the remains of Ribblehead Viaduct construction site can be explored on the way to Ribblehead station. Although the workers villages have completely disappeared some trackways, a brickworks site, an engine inspection pit and some abandoned masonry can still be seen.

Day 4

Dent to Ribblehead

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

  • Time

    5 hours

  • Distance

    10.5 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    507/543m

Dent to Ribblehead - You take the train from the picturesque Settle Station up the Ribble Valley and over the Ribblehead Viaduct to the highest mainline railway station at Dent. From the station, walk up a minor road to a track which skirts the high pastures and gives extensive views back down Dentdale. Along this track there are also views down to two other impressive viaducts on the Settle-Carlisle line. The route continues along the flank of Wold Fell, giving views towards Wensleydale, before descending to the head of Dentdale and the entrance to the Blea Moor Tunnel. 

You will then follow the line of the tunnel over Blea Moor, passing evidence of the construction of the tunnel, completed in 1874, ventilation shafts, an inclined trackway and the original spoil tips. Finally the Ribblehead viaduct comes into view, an impressive curving structure, which you will pass to reach the end of the walk at Ribblehead station. If it is too early for the return train, the Station Inn is a very welcome ‘waiting room’!

Day 5

Departure day

Meals

Breakfast

Independent departure from the Falcon Manor Hotel after breakfast. Check out of the hotel is by 10:30am. 

We hope you have enjoyed your holiday and look forward to welcoming you on another soon.

Departure dates for your selected tour

3rd Jun 2024 - 7th Jun 2024 (4 Nights)

1st Jul 2024 - 5th Jul 2024 (4 Nights)

9th Sep 2024 - 13th Sep 2024 (4 Nights)

Travel Details

The hotel is located at the southern edge of Settle on Duke Street (the B6480) surrounded by rolling hills and open countryside. There's usually ample car parking at the hotel.

Rail travel on the spectacular Settle-Carlisle Railway line to and from the trailheads is included on all three walk days.

Settle railway station is about 10 minutes walk from the hotel, by road it's about a mile away. If arriving by train, you may wish to consider pre-booking a taxi to take you to the hotel with your luggage.

Accommodation

Accommodation information

Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.

The Falcon Manor Hotel

The recently and stylishly refurbished three-star Falcon Manor Hotel is set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and just a few minutes walk from the centre of the bustling market town of Settle. It provides a convenient and welcoming base from which to explore the magnificent wild and protected scenery of this spectacular region of northern England.

Originally built in 1841 as a private house for the Reverend Swale on the establishment of the new parish of Settle, it preserves many original features, including the main staircase, and has been converted and tastefully furnished to create a warm and welcoming country house hotel. It also has its own bar and pool table, along with a variety of good meals.

There is complimentary Wi-Fi available in the hotel's ground floor public rooms.

Accommodation is on a half board with breakfasts and dinners taken at the hotel. All evening meals will consist of 2 courses. 


Trip Information

All the details you need

Holiday Grade

Trips comprise of day walks with plenty of ups and downs, some steep and rough ground will be encountered at times and walks averaging 7 miles with 650m of ascent / descent. Some holidays will cover longer distances on easier paths, others will be shorter walks but have more demanding ascents and terrain.  

Usual daily walks - Distance: 7 miles; Ascent/Descent 650m; Terrain: generally decent paths and tracks with some steeper sections; Walking Time: Day walks. 

The above statistics are generalisations of a day’s keys walk, it does not include distance covered during general sightseeing or daily activity. Detailed information of the daily walking requirements are specified in the specific holidays ‘Daily Itinerary".

Walks & Excursions

Our hotel is surrounded by magnificent walking country, rolling hills, moorland, limestone pavements, escarpments, wild valleys and geological beauty. Diverse views extend over the Yorkshire Dales to the ‘Hill of Winds’ and to Lancashire’s Forest of Bowland.

Local Transport Costs

In the holiday cost, we've included all local transport expenses related to the advertised activity programme for your convenience. If there are additional visits or excursions to enrich your experience, you can choose to participate and cover the costs locally. Depending on the itinerary, local transport may involve a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses, and ferries.

Optional Excursions

At your destination, you may have the option to book various local excursions and activities through a local operator. It's important to note that we are not involved in these activities or excursions, and we do not operate, supervise, or control them in any way. Your contract will be directly with the local activity supplier, and we bear no responsibility for their actions or omissions.

Spending Money

Holiday Budgeting

When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. 

Tipping

In your holiday price, we've included tipping for our local suppliers, covering hotel and restaurant staff, local guides, and drivers. Should you wish to make an extra contribution for a specific service, this should be given directly to the recipient at your discretion.

Tour Leaders & Local Guides

Tour Leaders

Your tour leader plays a crucial role in enhancing your holiday experience, and they share your passion for exploring the world on foot. In addition to being resourceful and organised they are also well-travelled and deeply enthusiastic about showing you new destinations.  Your tour leader takes care of all the local administration, ensuring you can fully enjoy your holiday without worrying about the logistics. While leading group holidays, they always keep in mind that each group is composed of individuals. Each tour leader brings their unique style, talents, and professional background to the table. Rest assured, they are all trained, qualified, experienced, and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting, and inspiring as possible. Remember, your leader, while on holiday, is your first port of call for any issues, ensuring a smooth and worry-free experience for you.

Leader's Evening Briefing

Each evening, your tour leader will meet with you to review the programme for the next day. This is your chance to discuss details and ensure that the planned activities align with your walking ability. If you have any concerns about clothing or equipment, feel free to bring them up during this discussion. If, for any reason, you prefer not to participate in the organised group programme, please inform your leader. Your preferences are important, and your leader is there to make sure your experience aligns with your expectations.

Your Travel Details

To reach the hotel...

By car: from Preston (M6) leave the motorway at J31 and join the A59 (signposted Clitheroe). After 13 miles at the junction for Clitheroe, take the second exit from the roundabout and continue on the A59 following signs for Skipton. At Gisburn turn left at the mini roundabout on to the A682 (signposted Settle). At the T-junction at Long Preston turn left on to the A65 (signposted Kendal, Settle). After 3½ miles take the second exit off the roundabout on to the B6480 towards Settle. After about a mile (on Skipton Road), look out for the hotel on the right hand side, just set back a little from the road.

From Skipton take the A59 (signposted Clitheroe). At Gisburn turn right at the mini roundabout on to the A682 (signposted Settle) and continue towards Settle as above.

From Ingleton (north of Settle) take the A65 until signposted for Settle, then take a left hand turn.

Continue through Giggleswick and Settle town to the other side of Settle.  The hotel is situated on the way out of Settle on your left, just set back from the road.

By rail: the nearest railway station is at Settle, about 5 minutes walk from the hotel. Unfortunately, taxis are not available from the station to the hotel.

You may also wish to look at the following website for advice on the best way to travel to the hotel: www.rome2rio.com 

The AA and RAC both offer free and detailed on-line route planning facilities on their websites which may help you find our hotels. Details can be found at: www.theaa.co.uk and www.rac.co.uk 

Personal Details Check

To ensure the accurate administration of your holiday arrangements, kindly verify that the personal details we have for you are current and correct. Confirm that you've given us all the necessary information for securing your travel and accommodation. Please review your passport details, date of birth, and any other pertinent information crucial for the management of your holiday.

Additionally, please make us aware of any dietary allergies or intolerances you may have. Your well-being is important to us, and this information will help us make appropriate arrangements for your meals during the trip.

You can access and update the provided information or add missing details through the "Manage My Booking" feature on our website at www.rambleworldwide.co.uk. Alternatively, reach out to our Sales and Reservations team at +44 (0)1707 331133. Upon receiving your booking confirmation, promptly check the details. Your cooperation ensures a seamless and enjoyable holiday experience.

Meals

Accommodation is on a half board with breakfasts and dinners taken at the hotel. A two course evening meal will be provided each evening, so you can choose between a starter and main course or a main course and dessert. Lunches are at your own expense and paid locally.

Footwear & Kit List

Footwear

Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks.

General Kit List

Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

  • Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers
  • Lightweight quick-drying trousers
  • Walking T-shirt/shirts
  • Walking socks
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun block
  • Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate)
  • Swimwear (if appropriate)
  • Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the day's activity)
  • Day sack liner
  • Water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity (more than 1 bottle may be required)
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Lunchbox
  • Walking poles (should you find them useful)
  • Sit mat

This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.

Travel Documents Checklist

Documents and Information to take with you:

  • Holiday money
  • Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost)
  • Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked)
  • Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked)
  • Holiday booking confirmation document
  • Travel insurance details (if applicable)
  • Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about

Water To Go

Opting for filtered water from a reusable bottle with its built-in water filter, like the Water-to-go bottle available at www.watertogo.eu, is a sustainable alternative to single-use sealed water bottles. Simply refill it from any water source and contribute to saving the environment from disposable plastic bottles.

Exciting news: Water-to-go has introduced two new bottles to their collection. The Active bottle is designed to fit bike water bottle holders, and the Sugarcane bottle is an even more planet-friendly option. Crafted from fibrous cane, a by-product of liquid extraction, it undergoes a process to create plant-based plastic. Explore the details on the Water-to-Go website for this innovative new range.

As a token of appreciation for your commitment to the environment, we've secured an exclusive 15% discount with Water-to-Go for you. Visit www.watertogo.eu and use the code RWW15 during your order.                        

Note: If you're booked on a long-haul holiday departing after November 1, 2023, you'll receive a complimentary Water to Go bottle, sent to your home address 2 or 3 weeks before your holiday. Thank you for being a part of our sustainable journey!

Maps, Guidebooks & Other Information

Maps, Guidebooks & More

Our intended walks are covered by the following map:

Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure series

OL 02 Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western Areas (1:25,000)

The Map Shop

If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:

The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England

Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com

If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.

Weather

Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:

Staying Healthy On Holiday

Health requirements in destination can change, and it's crucial for you to take responsibility in staying informed. Ensure that you consult a professionally qualified source and comply with any health requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before your departure. Your GP can provide advice on vaccinations. Stay proactive about your health preparations to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

Health Advice for United Kingdom

No compulsory immunisations are required for holidays in the UK although you should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended for life in Britain. Tetanus immunisation is recommended.

Further Travel Advice

For further advice please visit:

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

Travel Insurance

It’s a condition of booking that you obtain adequate travel insurance, from a reputable provider, to undertake the holiday, including UK trips chiefly due to the cancellation element of cover.

The policy must cover the period from the date of booking to the last day of your trip and should include, as a minimum, cover for: medical expenses (including the consequences of a Covid positive test result), mountain rescue including helicopter rescue, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and shall not have exclusion clauses limiting cover for the activities you will partake in on your trip, including altitudes reached in the holiday arrangement. It is your responsibility to check that your policy is adequate for the nature and destination of the holiday booked.

Once you have obtained your travel insurance, please provide us with the name of your travel insurer, the policy number and the insurer’s 24 hour emergency assistance number.

In the event that you fail to obtain suitable Travel Insurance we shall not be liable for any costs incurred or claims made against us due to your failure to comply with this term.

If travelling outside the UK you must carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested to do so by RWH Travel staff, tour leaders or suppliers. No refunds will be made should you be excluded from the walking programme through being uninsured or you being unable to demonstrate that you are insured.

Our house broker MPI should be considered for whom we are an affiliate and contact information is on our website and will be referred to in your booking confirmation.

If you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland please also ensure that you have either an existing valid EU EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) or a valid UK GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). You can apply for a UK GHIC free of charge on the NHS website at https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start.


Personal Safety

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is your go-to for the latest info on security, local laws, and the nitty-gritty of passports and visas at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Make sure to take a quick peek at the current advice for your upcoming destination—it'll only take a few minutes.

When you're out and about, stay aware of your surroundings. Take smart precautions with your credit cards and passport, and maybe tone down the flashy accessories. Less is more, especially when it comes to carrying cash—just enough for the day will do. Consider using a money belt for that extra layer of security. Stay alert, stay safe, and make the most of your travels!

Cultural Awareness

Responsible Travel

We are dedicated to promoting responsible travel practices that prioritise the well-being of both the environment and local communities. We believe in the transformative power of travel and aim to minimize our ecological footprint by selecting eco-friendly accommodations, encouraging waste reduction, and supporting sustainable transportation options where possible. Our walking tours are designed to immerse participants in the local culture, fostering meaningful connections with the communities we visit. We strive to leave a positive impact by engaging in responsible tourism activities, respecting local customs, and contributing to the preservation of natural landscapes. Through our commitment to responsible travel, we aim to create enriching experiences for our guests while actively contributing to the conservation of the destinations we explore.

The Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust

Unlike many other tour operators, we take pride in our unique approach. Ramble Worldwide channels its surplus profits back into various outdoor, walking-related, or environmental conservation projects in the UK through our own trust. When you choose us, you contribute to this impactful initiative.

The primary focus of our Trust's financial support is directed towards Britain's premier walking charity, The Ramblers. They play a crucial role in advocating the benefits and significance of walking to the British public. Additionally, our Trust invites applications for small grants from local organizations in the UK that require support for walking-oriented activities. This encompasses initiatives such as establishing footpaths and bridleways, funding for the reconstruction of bridges and refurbishing huts, and bursary funding for organisations that support individuals to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors..

For more comprehensive details, please visit the 'About' section on our website and click on the Charitable Trust link. Your choice to travel with us goes beyond a memorable vacation; it contributes to meaningful projects that have a positive impact on our community and environment.

Heart and Sole

We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.

Staying In Touch

Mobile Phones

Kindly share a mobile phone contact number with us. We'll utilize this solely for crucial communication pertaining to your holiday arrangements.

Ensure your mobile phone remains switched on and easily accessible when en route to the airport or during transit delays. This way, we can promptly reach you with any last-minute updates concerning your travel plans.

In consideration of others, we request that you switch off your mobile phone during walks or make an effort to limit its usage. Additionally, during group meals, please minimize the use of mobile devices. Your cooperation ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone on the journey.

Reviews

What customers are saying

View Dates & Book

Choose your preferred departure date

Can't find what you're looking for?

Call for help or regional flights on 01707 537200

View Dates And Book
Feefo service rating
Close