Settle Tuesday 26th March
Walk Leader: Pat Fergusson
Number on Walk: 19
Distance: 10.5 miles with 1,520 feet of ascent
Weather: Fine, cool, light breeze, clear views
Spring is sprung!
Livestock, new growth, wayside flowers in abundance - coltsfoot, wild strawberry, celandine, primrose, butterbur, wild garlic and plenty of blossom against the blue sky and limestone landscape. A perfect Dales day.
Route: climbing out of Settle to Warrendale Knotts and Attermire Scar, Victoria and Jubilee Caves, then descending to Langcliffe for lunch on the village green.
Continuing to Stainforth, we had time to explore the Craven Lime Works, particularly the massive Hoffman Kiln, built 1873, closing permanently in 1939. Internally well preserved, it is larger than a football pitch with 22 chambers which burned continuously on a 6 week circuit.
The site also has a tramway and other industrial remnants with excellent information boards.
Crossing the River Ribble at the picturesque waterfalls, we returned by the river bank to Settle, with time to take advantage of the street market, shops and cafes.
Photographs of the walk can be seen 'here'.