DalesRail.com Direct trains from Blackpool to Carlisle via the scenic Settle Carlisle Line Dates of operation: Sundays – 15 May until 11 September 2016 Guided Walks Programme 2016 For train times and fares visit www.dalesrail.com What is DalesRail? DalesRail is simply the best way to spend a Sunday! It’s a train service linking Lancashire with the scenic Ribble Valley, Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley aimed at walkers and those wanting a special day out. There is an extensive programme of guided walks and a monthly series of coach links that extend the number of places you can visit from DalesRail. The guided walks’ programme can be found in this leaflet and offers walks to suit all interests and abilities from city strolls to strenuous fell walking. Stewards on the train can offer advice and information about each Sunday’s activities whilst further details can be downloaded from our website www.dalesrail.com/downloads So sit back and enjoy the best of English countryside from the comfort of the train as you travel along some of the world’s most scenic rail routes. For more information see the Useful websites section below. Sunday service to Hellifield From Sunday 18 September, a service will link Blackpool North and Preston with Hellifield via Blackburn and the Ribble Valley Line. At Hellifield the service will connect with the train to Carlisle from Leeds and in the afternoon there will be a connection back to Lancashire. The service will run every Sunday through to the beginning of the 2017 DalesRail season thus enabling walkers and others to access stations on the Settle – Carlisle Line. For full details of this service visit: www.ribblevalleyrambler.wordpress.com East Lancashire Community Rail Walks The Preston – Colne and Clitheroe – Bolton railway lines give access to some excellent walking country and Lancashire Rail Ramblers provide a regular programme of guided walks from stations along these two lines on behalf of the Community Rail Partnerships. The walks are of varying length to suit all capabilities. There are usually three walks on different days each month. Why not take the opportunity to explore your local countryside. You might be surprised by the scenic and historic delights that can be discovered there. Programmes giving details of the dates and walks can be obtained from DalesRail train stewards, manned stations or by visiting www.communityraillancashire.co.uk Rail Ramblers Lancashire Rail Ramblers also provide their own regular programme of guided walks on Saturdays throughout the year from Stations across the North West of England and Peak District. For details ask the DalesRail train Stewards for a Rail Rambler Programme or visit www.railramblers.wordpress.com for detailed information. Useful websites www.dalesrail.com giving comprehensive details relating to DalesRail. www.communityraillancashire.co.uk with lots of information about the activities of our local Community Rail Partnerships. www.railramblers.wordpress.com details of Saturday guided walks across the north west of England. www.ribblevalleyrail.co.uk lots of information from a local rail user group. Engineering works Engineering works are taking place to repair the landslip north of Armathwaite. Trains are running to Appleby but some guided walks may be changed or cancelled at short notice. Please visit www.dalesrail.com for the latest information. Mapping Information All the walks on this programme are planned by members of the Lancashire Rail Ramblers Committee and make use of the following Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps: OL2 Yorkshire Dales South & West OL31 North Pennines OL5 The English Lakes North Eastern Area OL41 Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale OL7 The English Lakes South Eastern Area OL43 Hadrian’s Wall OL19 Howgill Fells & Upper Eden Valley 315 Carlisle OL30 Yorkshire Dales North Guided Walks An extensive programme of guided walks with experienced guides provides a great opportunity to see the best of the Yorkshire Dales, the Eden Valley and the western side of the Northern Pennines. You are most welcome to join any of these guided walks. At all times, safety is your own responsibility. The guides reserve the right to vary walks dependent upon the weather conditions and the capabilities of the walking parties. The walks are arranged by “Lancashire Rail Ramblers” (Visit www.railramblers.wordpress.com) and are led by volunteers from the Ramblers Association. Each walk is graded: choose to suit yourself. Should you have any doubts about your capabilities on the hills, avoid “strenuous” graded walks. Grades of walks ‘A’ Walks – Very Strenuous: These walks may be rough, steep or lengthy and against the clock – only for experienced and fit fell and mountain walkers. ‘B’ Walks - Strenuous: These walks may be rough, steep or lengthy and always against the clock – only for experienced and fit fell and mountain walkers – A and B walks. ‘C’ Walks - Moderately strenuous: Walks suitable for the experienced energetic walker, often at high level and over rough ground. These are the C graded walks. ‘D’ Walks - Moderate: A countryside walk for the average regular rambler. These walks may contain some climbing and ridge walking, but generally no scrambling. ‘E’ Walks - Moderately easy: A generally easy walk which may include some short rather steep inclines. ‘F’ Walks - Easy: A slower paced walk than for “Moderately Easy” walks and with short periods of rest. ‘G’ Walks - Easy stroll: Suitable for those not accustomed to walking in the countryside. Within D and E walks are some guided walks shown as “Climb a peak slowly” where the grades are up to one grade higher than normal, but the length is shorter and the speed of the walk is slower – but you can climb to the highest peaks in the area and feel that extra pleasure of the experience. Many of the lower graded walks are themed as “Flower Walks” or “History Walks” and “Map Reading Walks” – all are very popular. For all walks you should have strong comfortable non-slip footwear, warm outdoor clothing and outer wind and waterproofs if the weather warrants it. On most walks, stops are made, often in the countryside, for lunch and tea, so remember to bring your own food, snacks and a drink, especially when it is hot. Where a coach journey is required on part of the walk (described in the walk details), an additional fare will be payable. Details of the walks available each Sunday may be found on the internet at www. dalesrail.com or further detailed information may be had from walks leaders on the Lancashire DalesRail trains. MAY Sunday 15 May 2016 B walk 16 miles strenuous Alight Hellifield return Settle Hellifield – Gallaber – Bendgate – Cow Bridge – Todmanhaw – Sandholme – Hamerton – Pikeber Hill – Mouse Hill Bank – Crowtrees – Tosside – Bailey Lane – Heath Farm – Whelp Stone Crag – Gisburn Common – Resting Stone – Brown Bark – Langrigg – Tipperthwaite Barns – Giggleswick – Settle. C walk 12 miles moderately strenuous Alight and return Ribblehead Littledale aqueduct – Whernside Summit – West Fell – Rigg End – Twistleton Scars – Ellerbeck – Ivescar – Ribblehead. D walk 9 miles moderate Alight and return Horton in Ribblesdale A geology interest walk: Sulber Nick – Long Scar – Thwaite Scars – Norber Brow – Moughton – Horton in Ribblesdale. F walk 75 miles easy Alight and return Kirkby Stephen Stenkrith – Disused Railway to Winton – Whingill – Hartley Fold – Hartley – Kirkby Stephen – Kirkby Stephen Station. Sunday 22 May 2016 B walk 16 miles strenuous Alight and return Garsdale Garsdale – Coal Road – Cowgill Head – Dove Coves – Sikes Pits Brae – Sikes Pits Gill – Dry Beck – Middle O’Moor End – Thwaite Bridge – Carr – Cotterdale – Tarn Hill – Sails – Hell Gill Crags – Hell Gill Bridge – Aisgill Moor Cottages – High Shaw Paddock – Turner Hill – Moorcock Inn – Garsdale Station. D walk 10 miles moderate Alight and return Kirkby Stephen Christopher Brow Top – Ash Fell Edge – Smardale Fell – Coast to Coast Path to Kirkby Stephen – Kirkby Stephen Station. E walk 8 miles moderately easy Alight Horton in Ribblesdale return Settle Ribble Way: Craghill Farm – Helwith Bridge – Moorhead Lane – Stainforth – Winskill – Langcliffe – Settle. G Walk 3 to 4 miles easy stroll Alight and return Appleby Paces Through the Past-Appleby in Westmorland: For the Causeway, the Smithies’ Cave and Scattergate Green. For the Medieval St. Michaels and the Earls’ Bongate Mill. For the watchmakers and cheese makers and their Royalist taverns. Tales of scolds and doom, of rotten boroughs and a church organist’s sins. Sunday 29 May 2016 Swaledale B walk 12 miles strenuous Alight and return Ribblehead Coach to Ivelet Bridge – Ivelet – Cock Crow Scar – Ivelet Boards – Arn Gill Scar – Swinner Gill – High Stone Man – Rogan’s Seat – Water Crag – Little Water Crag – Blakethwaite Dams – Gorton Hush – Bunton Hush – Gunnerside Gill – Swina Bank Scar – Gunnerside Beck to Gunnerside – Coach to Ribblehead. C walk 10 miles moderately strenuous Alight and return Ribblehead Coach to Reeth – High Fremington – New Close Bank – Fremington Edge – Marrick Moor – Hall Farm – Fell End – Storthwaite Hall – Castle Farm House – Reeth – Coach to Ribblehead. E walk 8 miles moderately easy Alight and return Ribblehead Coach to Ivelet Bridge – Shore Gill Head – Botcher Gill Gate – Lownathwaite Mea – Swina Bank Scar – Winterings – Gunnerside – Coach to Ribblehead. F walk 7 miles easy Alight and return Ribblehead Coach to Gunnerside – Isles Bridge – Low Lane – Stubbin Farm – Reeth – Coach to Ribblehead. Alternative walk for those not wishing to use the coach D walk 9 miles moderate Alight and return Settle Settle – Stockdale Lane – Nappa Cross – Gorbeck – Jubilee Cave – Settle. JUNE Sunday 5th June 2016 B walk 15 miles strenuous Alight and return Kirkby Stephen Kirkby Stephen Station – Halfpenny House – Stenkrith Bridge – Dismantled Railway to Stain Bank – Fell Lane – Howgill Sike – Little Hunting Seat – Cold Keld Bridge – Heggerscales – Askew Hill – Oxenthwaite Bridge – Field Head – Bloan Farm – Belah Bridge – River Belah – Lady Ing Farm – Winton – Whingill – Hartley Fold – Franks Bridge – Kirkby Stephen Station.