TAKE A WALKING BREAK:
BEST ALL YEAR ROUND RAMBLES
The North West is packed with walks suitable for all year round rambling meaning those enjoying a break in the area are spoilt for choice, whatever the season
The team at leading hospitality group James’ Places, which counts the Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green, Royal Hotel at Kirkby Lonsdale and Falcon Manor, Settle, among its venues, has come up with their top walks.
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
A short drive from Kirkby Lonsdale or Settle, Ingleton’s Waterfalls Walk is a circular walk just over four miles long which follows two rivers with a multitude of falls and takes the visitor through Ingleton Glens, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was number 36 on ITV’s Britain’s Favourite Walks Top 100 with Julia Bradbury and Ore Oduba.
Tolkien Trail
This six-mile circuit from the Shireburn Arms car park takes the walker through the countryside widely believed to be the inspiration for Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien’s ‘Middle Earth’. The beauty of this stroll along the River Ribble and through Stonyhurst, where Tolkien wrote some of his famous trilogy, is that if it is very wet, there is a shorter, four-mile version which is equally lovely but avoids the mud.
Clapham Nature Trail and Ingleborough Cave
An accessible out and back trail to Ingleborough Cave, with the return trip covering around two miles, which can be made into a loop using nearby tracks and bridleways. For the fitter and more adventurous, it can also be incorporated into the start (or finish) of an ascent of Ingleborough. The route follows a gently climbing lakeside gravel track and there is even an all-terrain mobility scooter available which is free to use, although it must be booked in advance.
Gisburn Forest
Mountain bikers flock to this woodland in the heart of the Forest of Bowland but it is equally enjoyable for walking with a range of forest tracks and paths. The Shireburn Arms, Falcon Manor and Royal Hotel are all less than half an hour’s drive away and there are six forest walking trails – or explore on foot throughout the network of tracks. Managed by the Forestry Commission England, Gisburn Forest is also a Dark Sky Discovery Site.
Castleberg
Overlooking the market town of Settle, Castleberg is an imposing limestone crag commanding impressive views of the town and North Ribblesdale from the top. It’s a short but steep walk up to the flagpole, which can be done in all but the iciest and snowiest conditions and is well worth the effort to appreciate the Dales countryside within around 15 minutes of leaving Settle market place on foot.
Heidi Kettle, marketing manager said: “We are so lucky to be in an area where we have so much choice for beautiful walks whatever the weather or time of year.”
The Shireburn Arms, Falcon Manor and The Royal Hotel are offering a 50/50 deal throughout January and February 2019.
Bed and breakfast is £50 when £50 or more is spent on food and drink for two people staying in a classic double room. The offer is available all week.
www.royalhotelkirkbylonsdale.co.uk
www.falconmanor.co.uk
www.shireburnarmshotel.co.uk
