Settle Circular via Victoria Cave and Attermire Scar

Start

Settle Market Place Postcode BD24 9EF (parking in Market Place or Ashfield Car Park BD24 9DX, or Whitefriars car park BD24 9JD)

Accessibility

Steep slopes. Uneven ground and tracks. No seating.

Facilities

Toilets in Whitefriars & Ashfield car parks in Settle. Cafes and shops in Settle.

Distance

4 miles circular walk

Route & Map

From the market place head to the left of the arches past the Co-op. Follow the step hill up Constitution Hill, heading round to the left between two cottages before becoming level again.
Take the gravel track to the right signposted Pennine Bridleway, continue up here (Banks Lane) climbing steadily across open fields and passing through a number of gates. Enjoy the views of Ribblesdale and the peaks of Ingleborough in the distance and closer to your right Pen-y-ghent.
When you reach a tarmac road turn right, still following the Pennine Bridleway. Follow the stone track through a gate or you can turn left down and walk down the road into Langcliffe and then left along the main road back into Settle.
Continue along the stone track going through a second gate. After this second gate turn immediately right following a narrow path following a wall, sign posted Victoria Cave.
Continue along following the wall, through a kissing gate.
A small track off up to the left heads to Victoria Cave where there is an information panel. You are advised not to head into the cave. Head back down to the path and continue along the path at the foot of a large limestone cliff known as Attermire Scar to your left and views of the the Warrendale Knots strange shaped limestone outcrops to your right.
When you reach a crossroads in the footpath, turn right and follow the obvious grassy path. The path heads over a wall and then climbs steadily across open fields, before dropping down to rejoin the top of Banks Lane, retrace your steps down Banks Lane and back into Settle market square.

Route Options

What to look for

Fantastic views of Ribblesdale the valley you are walking in and Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent, two of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks.
Victoria Cave was first excavated in Victorian times. Plenty of animal bones were found including hippos, narrow nosed rhinos, elephants and a spotted hyena, these all date back to a time when the climate was much warmer than today. It would seem that the hyenas were using the cave as a den and dragging back scavenged bones to it. Later bones of brown bear were also found and Roman and Bronze artefacts including brooches and coins.
Attermire Scar is the great limestone cliff you are walking alongside & Warrendale Knots are the knotty outcrops you can see on your right as you walk along the scar.

info@peopleandthedales.org

Settle Circular via Victoria Cave and Attermire Scar

What to look for