Sunday 8th March — Dent to Ribblehead walk

Sunday train times on this sheet for 2026

Car Parking: Ribblehead Station car park (free).
Start/Finish: Ribblehead Station (grid ref SD 766 789, postcode LA6 3AS)
Meet time: from 10.15 am
Start time/time of train: 10:33 from the opposite platform. Please arrive in time to
catch the train. Tickets are purchased on the train.

Description: This is a linear walk where we take the train in one direction and then
walk back to the start. We will go at a pace to suit everyone. There are two ascents,
one at the start of the walk up a minor road and one half way along over the top of
Blea Moor Tunnel (not long). The terrain is a mixture of public bridleways, footpaths,
moorland and minor roads.

Route: We meet at Ribblehead Station and board the 10:33 train going one stop north
to Dent. This is a 10-minute journey and takes us over Ribblehead Viaduct and
through Blea Moor Tunnel before we arrive at Dent Station. Dent is the highest
railway station in England at 1150 feet above sea level and is located in ideal walking
country.
We set off up the Coal Road to the bridleway that takes us around Great Knoutberry
Hill, spectacular views then open up down Dentdale with Whernside and
Ingleborough looming in the distance. We reach a path that parallels a stream taking
us down to the valley floor and pass underneath Arten Gill Viaduct where we may
stop for lunch.
We then continue along the road for a short distance and branch right onto the hillside
towards Blea Moor Tunnel. We climb past the tunnel mouth and continue over the top
to Blea Moor and descend to re-join the main footpath next to the railway as it
emerges from the tunnel.
We continue past the derelict signalman’s cottage and back along the path next to
Ribblehead Viaduct before we reach Ribblehead and the Station Inn where there is
opportunity for a drink at the end.

Ascents: 160 m from Dent Station to Great Knoutberry Hill and 200 m from Dentdale
over Blea Moor (not difficult)
Distance: 9 miles
Time: approx 4½ hours
Grade: Easy end of Moderate. Terrain is mostly paths/grassy slopes

Leader: Mark
Please bring a packed lunch.

For those coming from Carlisle/North Cumbria area you can take the 09:24 train
from Carlisle arriving at Dent at 10:39 to meet the group there. The train from
Ribblehead arrives 4 minutes later at 10:43.
The return train to Carlisle from Ribblehead departs at 15:43 (arrives Carlisle 17:08).
When booking onto the walk, please let me know whether you are meeting us at
Ribblehead or Dent. I may not have a phone signal once at Ribblehead.
Please feel free to text or WhatsApp Mark with any questions about the walk.

Ribblehead Viaduct with Whernside looming overhead, taken on a previous Summit
Good walk

The route imposed upon an OS map.