[All photos and opinions are my own unless stated otherwise. All links are non-affiliated. All prices were correct at time of writing. Prices may vary at time of reading.]

Although less well-known than some areas on the Yorkshire Dales, the countryside surrounding Settle has a lot to offer, from ancient caves to hidden waterfalls. This hike takes you past it all and is definitely worth a try if you're staying in the area.

Some Useful Info

To the right are some useful stats about this walk. Without stopping it takes 4 to 5 hours; however, some people choose to stop and eat lunch in Stainforth along the way, so it may take longer than 4 hours.

Another thing to note is that on the whole this walk is fairly easy; however, there are a few steep bits, especially as you leave Settle. As a result of this, I recommend doing the walk from Settle to Scaleber Force first and leave Stainforth until the end, so that you get to walk downstream on the way back. Also, it's important to be wary of how much it's rained beforehand as the fields on this route may become boggy at certain times of year.

There aren't many places along this route where you can stop and get help, other than Settle and Stainforth. The rest consists of rural landscapes that aren't very accessible, so make sure you're capable and willing to do the route between the two towns.

Below is a map of the recommended route:

Where to Start

The walk starts in Settle at the Greenfoot Car Park. It's best to get here early to ensure a space is available; however, I arrived at 9am and there was still a lot of space but this was in early September. It takes around 25 minutes to get to the car park from Skipton and roughly 40 minutes from Hawes.

Where Next?

Towards the back of the car park there will be a path heading upwards. I followed this path until I reached the road. I turned left once I reached the road and followed this for 10 metres or so before turning right onto Albert Hill. Continue up the hill and when the road splits into two, keep right. Follow this road for several kilometres and eventually it will bare round to the left and become more of a track than a road. I then followed this track until I reached another road and then turned right. Taking the next right, I followed this road for a few hundred metres. On the right was a sign for Scaleber Force, a 12m high waterfall.

Scaleber Force

After visiting Scaleber Force, I went back the way I came until I saw a turning to the right. I followed this until I saw a stile going straight ahead (this is just as the track bares round to the right). This path took me to the base of some impressive rock formations and cliffs. Following the path to the right, I then turned left where the path goes between two hills. A few hundred metres on this path and I was at Victoria Cave. This cave was discovered in 1837 and within the cave reindeer and bear remains were found. The cave is definitely worth a visit; however, there are barriers to deter people from walking and damaging the rocks.

Looking out from Victoria Cave

After exploring Victoria Cave I continued on the path. A kilomtre or so on this path led me to Jubilee Cave; however, this is smaller and less impressive than Victoria Cave. From Jubilee Cave I backtracked about 20m and crossed a stile taking me across a neighbouring field until I reached a track leading to a road. Once at the road, I turned right and followed this until I met a road on the left. Follow this road I reached a farm building then followed the path to the right. Within a kilometre I had arrived at Catrigg Force, a secluded waterfall near Stainforth with a 6m drop and small natural pool. This waterfall was actually the busiest of the three waterfalls on this hike and even had people swimming in the natural pool despite the rain.

Catrigg Force

After visiting Catrigg Force I returned to the path and turned right. Within 15 minutes I had arrived in Stainforth. Crossing the stepping stones, I reached a road and then turned left before finding a pub to have lunch in.

Posing at the stepping stones

After that I returned to where I was prior to lunch and turned left at the road before taking the first right. I then crossed the main road and followed the path that led me under a bridge and into a wooded area until I reached an old packhorse bridge dating back to 1675. After this, I turned left onto a path just after the bridge and then I had arrived at Stainforth Force. This waterfall can get very popular at the weekends and bank holidays as well as in the autumn when salmon can be seen migrating upstream to spawn but on this rainy day it was empty.

Stainforth Force and the old packhorse bridge

After this I followed the path along the river for several kilometres. When I reached a bridge crossing the river, I turned right away from the bridge until I reached a road, then turned left. I followed the road for a few hundred metres until I reached a gate on the left taking me diagonally through a field. Once here, I was almost back to Settle. I followed the path until I reached the main road running through Settle. Then I walked through the Market Place and High Street until I had returned to the car park.

Impressive cliffs near Victoria Cave

What to bring/wear?

If you're new to hiking then here's a basic list of some things you might want to bring:

• Lots of water, especially on a hot day

• Lunch and snacks - best to save money by having a packed lunch but there are places to eat in Settle and Stainforth

• Waterproof walking boots to avoid getting wet, muddy feet if it's rained a lot recently

• A walking partner - it's generally not recommended to hike in the hills alone but it's not so much of a problem here, especially once you're past Victoria Cave. Prior to the cave, I hardly saw any people...

• Sunscreen

• A map will be useful if you're worried about getting lost! Sign posting isn't always great in the UK...

• Camera as the views are stunning

• Obviously don't forget other essentials, such as ID, money etc.

The beautiful rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales

When I did this hike I found and planned it very last minute. I didn't know what to do for my last day but luckily I found this hike. It's a beautiful hike and much emptier than the other places we visited even though we didn't go particularly early. It's a relatively easy hike and I definitely recommend doing it! Unfortunately, when I did this hike, it rained all the way back from Stainforth, so I got soaked but that didn't make the scenery any less beautiful.

Thanks for reading!