Guided Walks and Tours

Welcome to FoSCL's Programme of Guided Walks and Tours.

We look forward to welcoming you on one of our walks!

Make sure you bring adequate food and drink; waterproofs and spare dry warm clothing; walking boots or strong shoes for shorter summer walks.

Please read the 'Important Information' page. You will find some good advice on what to expect and what you need to know before you come on a walk.

For a brief introduction to the Footsteps in Time Ribblehead Heritage Tours see the 'Heritage Tours' page.


20 June 2026 - Kirkby Stephen Circular via Smardale

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Kirkby Stephen 09.34 Depart: Kirkby Stephen 17:14
Length
11 miles
Grade
Hiker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Admire the magnificent Smardale Gill Viaduct and walk along the disused railway track through Smardale Nature Reserve home to red squirrels and rare butterflies.

Route: Kirkby Stephen Station, Smardale Fell, Smardale Gill Viaduct and Nature Reserve, Kirkby Stephen Town, Kirkby Stephen Station.

Distance: 10.5m / 17km


21 June 2026 - Around Kisdon Hill

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ribblehead 10:33 Depart: Ribblehead 18:51
Length
7 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Walk in Upper Swaledale to one of the most remote villages in the Dales.

Route: Muker, Keld, Angram, Thwaite, Muker

Distance: 7m / 11km

BUS: This walk makes use of the Northern DalesBus to Muker. Bus return from Muker. The bus fare is payable.

 


27 June 2026 - Great Knoutberry and Wold Fell

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Dent 09.16 Depart: Ribblehead 17:42
Length
10 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

A taste of the wild side as we make our way from Dent to Ribblehead via Great Knoutberry.

Route: Dent Station, Great Knoutberry, Arten Gill Beck, Wold Fell, Stoops Moss, Ribble Way/Dales Way, Ribblehead.

Distance: 10m / 16km


04 July 2026 - Ribblehead Circular via Dentdale

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ribblehead 09.06 Depart: Ribblehead 17:42
Length
15 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Glorious views, an iconic signal box, three viaducts, the Dales Way and the Dales High Way all in one walk!

Route: Ribblehead, Blea Moor, Dent Head, Dales Way, Craven Way, Ribblehead

Distance: 15m / 24km


11 July 2026 - Cross Fell: 150th Anniversary Walk - RESERVATION ONLY

Important information added - THERE ARE NO LONGER PLACES AVAILABLE ON THIS WALK.
Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Langwathby 10:01 Depart: Appleby 19:06
Length
13 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

The high point of the FoSCL year! Celebrate the 150th anniversary with this special FoSCL walk over Cross Fell. The route will start from Kirkland and finish in Dufton, taking in the finest upland scenery in the North Pennines.

Route: Langwathby to Kirkland by mini buses. Kirkland, Cross Fell, Little Dun Fell, Great Dun Fell, Knock Old Man, Dufton. Dufton to Appleby by mini buses.

Distance: 13m / 21km

Please note: This walk has limited places. Minibus transport will be provided at a cost of £10 return per person (payable in cash on the day).
Advance booking is essential as numbers are limited. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Email [email protected] to book and we will send confirmation of a seat on the minibuses.


11 July 2026 - Kirkby Stephen Roam

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Kirkby Stephen 11.04 Depart: Kirkby Stephen 17:14
Length
9 miles
Grade
Walker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Marvellous views of the Westmorland countryside on this meandering route close to Kirkby Stephen.

Route: Moor End, Greengate, Lammerside Castle, Wharton Hall, Lockthwaite, Stenkrith

Distance: 8.5m / 14km


18 July 2026 - Whernside

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ribblehead 09.06 Depart: Ribblehead 17:42
Length
11 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Tops and Tarns as we tackle the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks - mighty Whernside!

Route: Ribblehead, Blea Moor Signal Box, Craven Wold, The Tarns, Whenside top, Broadrake, Viaduct, Ribblehead

Distance: 11m / 18km


25 July 2026 - Ribble Valley Line: Clitheroe Circular

Date
Line
Leeds - Lancaster - Morecambe
Special Instructions
Arrive: Clitheroe 11:54 Depart: Clitheroe 16:37
Length
8 miles
Grade
Hiker
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Travel on the Yorkshire Dales Explorer train service to the beautiful Ribble Valley.  

Route: Clitheroe, Brungerley Bridge, Ribble Way, West Bradford, Drake House, Eaves House, Waddington, Waddow Hall, Brungerley Bridge, Clitheroe

Distance: 8m / 13km

Important information: 
Connecting train times:
10:18 Leeds to Morecambe - Alight Hellifield at 11:11
09:27 Carlisle to Leeds – Alight Hellifield at 11:13
Board Rochdale Service - Depart 11:30

Note: We strongly recommend making return connections at Settle rather than Hellifield due to additional facilities and railway staff being on hand should problems arise.
Train arrives 17:10 for Leeds 17:58 and Carlisle 17:49.

Train fare tips: If travelling from Leeds, it is cheaper to split your ticket –
Return: Leeds to Settle (Alighting at Hellifield on outward journey)
Return: Hellfield to Clitheroe


26 July 2026 - Fremington Edge

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ribblehead 10.33 Depart: Ribblehead 18:51
Length
8 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Climb up to Fremington Edge and be rewarded with stunning views of Swaledale.

Route: Reeth, Fremington, Fremington Edge, Storthwaite Hall, Arkle Beck, Reeth

Distance: 8m / 13km

BUS: This walk makes use of the Northern DalesBus to Reeth. Bus return from Reeth. The bus fare is payable.


01 August 2026 - Ribblehead to Hawes

Date
Line
Leeds - Settle - Carlisle
Special Instructions
Arrive: Ribblehead 09:06 Depart: Garsdale 17:28
Length
11 miles
Grade
Explorer
Walk Leaders
Theme
FULL DAY WALK.
Description and notes

Enjoy the views on this lovely walk into Wensleydale. 

Route: Ribblehead Station, Gearstones, Pennine Way, Gaudy Lane, Gayle, Hawes 

Distance:  11m / 18km

Important information:

  N.B The walk leaders will be arriving at 09:18 on the southbound train.

We catch the bus back to Garsdale (single fare to Garsdale).