Pennine Bridleway Circular and Linear Walks and Rides
Pennine Bridleway Circular and Linear Walks and Rides
If you're not looking for a long distance walk but would like to enjoy the delights of the Trails then we have a superb selection of shorter circular and linear walks.
Clapham and Thieves Moss 7 mile circular ride/walk
This circular route is suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders at all times of year. The route starts at the National Park car park in Clapham and follows the Pennine Bridleway northwards along Long Lane, with views over Clapham Beck and Ingleborough Cave. This part of the route has approximately 200m (700ft) of ascent. The Pennine Bridleway is followed across dry grassy hillsides, with views of Ingleborough on a clear day, until reaching the edge of Crummack Dale, with vast views over the dale and Thieves Moss. A right turn takes you onto a public bridleway which follows the edge of Crummack Dale along a grassy track and then drops down to the farm at Crummack. The route follows a farm road towards Austwick, until a right turning back on to the Pennine Bridleway along Thwaite Lane to Clapham.
The car park in Clapham has public toilets, and the village has a pub, cafe, and small shops. The public car park is large with plenty of space for horse boxes and trailers. There are also convenient rocks to use as mounting blocks.
Horse riders should be aware that in order to access this route from Clapham you must pass through two tunnels. These tunnels are not lit, and are curved so that they are very dark in the middle. The ground surface is also formed of loose stone. Depending on the confidence of your horse, you may wish to take a torch to light the way through. Some sections of the bridleway along Long Lane are comprised of rough limestone, and others are loose stone. If your horse has sensitive feet you may wish to use hoof boots. The grassy sections in the middle of the route remain dry throughout the year and provide the opportunity for a nice canter!
Time required: two days by bike, three to four days on horse or foot.
Start point: a circular route – choose your starting point according to your transport needs. Mountain-bikers in particular may find it best to travel the Loop anti-clockwise. The route is physically challenging because it climbs up and down the steep-sided South Pennine valleys.
Access: there are good public transport links and several car parks along the route. Horse riders can use some of the car parks for loading and unloading horses. Please see map and/or website for further details on car parks.
The Settle Loop is a 10 mile circular route that can be started and finished in Settle or joined from surrounding areas such as Malham and Stainforth. The circular loop offers stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales on foot, by bike or horse. You can find out more in the leaflet.
The loop climbs out of the lovely town of Settle into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, traverses a wonderful limestone upland, before descending back towards Settle. The trail incorporates open grassy stretches, limestone outcrops, grass/gravel paths and quiet winding lanes.
There is plenty of car parking in Settle, and you can also reach the town by train or bus. Parking for horse boxes and trailers is possible in Greenfoot car park in Settle. There is also desingated parking for horse boxes and trailers in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority car park in Stainforth. Access from here to the loop is signposted along Goat Scar Lane.
