THIS walk takes you through the Long Preston Deeps towards Settle, returning via the old road. It is a long walk but can be taken in two chunks using the regular rail service between Long Preston and Settle.
The walk starts in Long Preston at the railway station where there is parking. Turn left out of the station entrance and follow the quiet road for three quarters of a mile to Cow Bridge and the River Ribble. Cross the bridge and immediately turn right over a stile and on to a grassy path.
After 300m turn left away from the Ribble and follow the banks of a smaller stream (Wigglesworth Beck) for the next three quarters of a mile. It is here that there are some good views across the floodplain of the Long Preston Deeps.
The Deeps is a wetland project with particular emphasis on seasonal waders but generally the bird life is impressive. Half way along the beck is a bird hide within a wooden hut with further explanation on the project and a lovely place to observe the birds. It is also an excellent example of local authorities and local landowners working together for the protection and benefits of both.
On arrival at Wigglesworth Hall follow the footpath signs around the buildings just to the south. Many of the signs are reference the Ribble Way, a rarely used long distance footpath. Just to the west of the hall buildings turn right and cross the muddy beck and, keeping the buildings to your right, head towards a stile and then bearing right a farm track leading north.
Follow the track for 300m and alongside a field boundary heading for some woodland in the distance. On arrival at the fence before the woods the path is currently blocked so turn left and head for a gate leading on to the Wigglesworth Road. Follow the road for 400m where you can re-join the Ribble Way.
Turn left up a farm lane towards Cappleside farm and then bend right towards woodland. At this stage there is some fiddly navigation but look for the signs to guide you through the woods, Rathmell Beck and Layfield Farm before arriving at a road just west of Rathmell village. The path always heads north. Cross the road and continue north through four fields to Green Farm where you can turn north east (bearing right) on a major track heading downhill back towards the river. Cross a road and continue along a footpath and meet the banks of the River Ribble. For one mile continue along the western river bank, passing under the railway and road before arriving in Settle. Turn right and walk the 500m along a road to Settle train station. The centre of Settle is a little further.
If you would like to return to Long Preston on the walk (rather than stop here) then head east from the station, cross the main road and walk past the Talbot Arms and Folly café (a beautiful building) and up a cobbled road towards Upper Settle. Leave the main road at the top of Settle (opposite the Old Vicarage) by bearing right and joining a dead end road climbing steeply. This is the start of the old road linking Settle and Long Preston.
Where the tarmac ends take the right fork and join the rough track with trees to your left. Soon the track passes through fields and open countryside on its three-mile journey south back to Long Preston. The views are excellent in all directions, particularly south towards Pendle Hill and over the Long Preston Deeps to your right.
Fact Box:
Distance: Total Walk Roughly 11.5 miles (18.5km). One Way 7.5 miles.
Height to Climb: Total 260m (850 feet). One Way 60m.
Start: SD 834579. There is parking at Long Preston train station.
Difficulty: Hard. The route to Settle is mainly flat but difficult in places to find the way, the paths and signs are not always clear. The return has a steep initial climb but otherwise straightforward.
Refreshments: Hawes has plenty of places to eat and drink.
Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer 2) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk).
* Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:
He has published 2 books on walks in the Dales, The Yorkshire 3 Peaks and The Dales 30 Mountains. Available direct from the Where2walk website.
Book a Navigation Training day (Beginners or Intermediates). All dates and information on the website. Next available date September 24.
Join one (or more) of the “3 Peaks’ Guiding Days: September 7, Pen-y-Ghent, September 8, Whernside, September 9, Ingleborough.
Jonathan’s popular website, Where2walk.co.uk also features hundreds of walks across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.
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