Ribble Way

Ribble Way (distances in km)

103 Gavel Gap / Dales Way 101 RibbleheadGearstones x20px 91 Pennine Way 91 Horton in RibblesdaleGray Bridge 88 Foredale 88 ForedaleHelwith Bridge 84 Stainforth 84 StainforthStainforth Bridge 80 Settle 79 GiggleswickPenny Bridge 78 Giggleswick 75 Rathmell 70 Long PrestonCow Bridge 66 Halton West 64 PaythornePaythorne Bridge 62 GisburnPoultry House Bridge 58 Gisburn Cotes 57 Gisburn Cotes 54 SawleySawley Bridge 51 ChatburnGrindleton Bridge 49 ChatburnRibble Lane 46 Brungerley Bridge 45 Clitheroe 44 Edisford Rd B6243 41 Mitton Bridge B6246 41 Great Mitton 39 Lower Hodder Bridge 35 Hurst Green 29 Ribchester 26 Hothersall Lodge 22 Grimsargh 20 Red Scar 17 PrestonM6 17 PrestonBrockholes Bridge A59 13 PrestonWalton Bridge A675 11 Preston 09 PrestonPenworth New Bridge A59 09 PrestonGuild Way A59 02 00 Longton Sources: Route–Lancashire County Council distances–Google Earth

The Ribble way is a long distance walk between the Lancashire coast and the Yorkshire Dales National Park largely following the course of the River Ribble.

The route begins in Longton and ends at the source of the Ribble at Gayle Moor near Ribblehead, it is around 116 kilometres (72 mi) in length.

The route passes through a variety of landscapes including tidal marsh, open moorland and limestone gorges. It begins to the south of the Ribble estuary, the route then runs through Preston and on to the historic town of Clitheroe. Next it heads up into the Pennines to reach its source on remote Cam Fell.

History

The idea of opening a walk along the Ribble called the Ribble Way was first suggested back in 1967 at the inaugural meeting of the Preston and Fylde branch of the Ramblers' Association. The Guardian reported in 1972 that the Ramblers Association were planning Britain's first riverside long footpath called the Ribble Way. At that time, the route being discussed was 103 kilometres (64 mi) from the estuary of the River Ribble at Walmer Bridge close to Preston to its source near the farmhouse of Far Gearstones in the West Riding of Yorkshire fells; just 45 kilometres (28 mi) of the planned route was designated right-of-way. The idea eventually attracted official support and was opened in 1985. The Ribble Valley is an area of 632 square kilometres (244 sq mi) of natural beauty from the north-west coast to the Lake District. The official course of the Ribble Way that is marked on the Ordnance Survey (2010) OS Openspace maps starts at Longton, the mouth of the River Ribble just west of Preston, 5 metres (16 ft) above mean sea level and finishes at Grove head, just north of Cam Fell, 558 metres (1,831 ft) above mean sea level. Grove head is actually the source of the Gayle Beck which feeds into the River Ribble near Ribblehead.

Route

The official start of the Ribble Way is the Dolphin Inn on Marsh Lane in Longton.

The Ribble Way connects with several other long distance walks, including the Dales Way, the Pennine Way, the Pennine Bridleway and the Round Preston Walk.

Settlements

• Longton
• Preston
• Frenchwood
• Ribchester
• Little Town
• Winckley Hall
• Clitheroe
• Horrocksford
• Paythorne
• Rathmell
• Giggleswick
• Stainforth
• Horton in Ribblesdale
• Chapel-le-Dale

After which the route joins the Dales Way