Long Preston to Settle Loop

This route takes you north out of Long Preston into the Yorkshire Dales National Park before descending steeply into Settle. You return via flat quiet lanes to Long Preston.

The route at a glance

  • Distance: 11miles/17.7km
  • Approx time: 2hours
  • Climb: 270meters
  • Start and finish: Long Preston
  • Parking: Long Preston
  • Difficulty: Moderate (with short off-road section)

Must see

At the rear of Settle, a zigzag footpath leads to the summit of Castleberg Crag, which offers a great vantage point of the town.

Getting to the start from Skiptons

Take the train from Skipton to Long Preston (four stops). Drive or cycle the A65 (a busy road). Buses are available from Skipton to Long Preston

Route points

Start at the Maypole Inn and turn left down Main Street to take Station Road (the B6478)..

Follow this road (which turns into Edge Lane) to climb up onto the moor. After 2.5km the tarmac finishes and cyclists can carry on along a gravel track (now called Mitchell Lane).

Follow the track for 2km as you crest the hill and start descending, taking care on the descent.

Arrive in Settle’s Market Place and follow the signs to the train station, taking Station Road out of the town.

At the mini-roundabout in Giggleswick, turn left onto Raines Road: follow this for 800m to the A65.

Cross the A65 with caution. The junction is off-set with a central right turning area.

Go under a railway bridge and follow this road for 3km to Rathmell Main Street.

Carry on for just over 3km to Wigglesworth and a T-junction by The Plough Hotel & Restaurant. Turn left onto the B6478 signposted Long Preston.

Follow this back to the start in Long Preston.