Long Preston to Settle circular walk

Sunday 8th November 2026

Walking Diary (All Walks) North Yorkshire & Co Durham Other Dales

Long Preston to Settle circular walk.

A walk in an area that I've never walked before - Well, I've been a few times to Settle, but never to Long Preston. It was a gentle, maybe slightly underwhelming walk, but still gave my improving foot a good work out.

The aim over the next two days is to confirm that my right foot can cope with consecutive days walking, which will allow me to book up next years Long Distance Walk with a reasonable amount of confidence. So far so good.

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Distance: 12.1 miles
Duration: 5:00 hours
Ascent: 1421 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Overcast and misty

3D outline of route

Parking

First time that I have ever been to Long Preston, I had a brief drive around and found roadside parking near the railway station.

I headed off along the very quiet B6478 until I reached Cow Bridge

Soon I was walking alongside the River Ribble

The Long Preston flood plains were just to my right, a vast area of no-go land for walkers, although I was expecting the footpath that I was following to be much more soggy than it actually was.

Walking across the Wrigglesworth Hall farmland

This crossing took a couple of minutes to find - I wonder if others have had trouble finding it ?

Cappleside.

Leaving the copse in the direction of Rathmell.

In the gloom, the outline of Rathmell appears.

The Ribble Way is reasonably well signposted and navigation is straightforward.

Soon I was back to walking alongside the River Ribble.

Not a single walker had passed me today, this place was so quiet - this was to be the case all the way to Settle.

Arriving at Settle and crossing a footbridge into the town centre - I found a nice spot to enjoy a hot coffee and sandwich, I had hoped the weather would pick up as the day wore on, but to be honest it was gloomy all day long.

I love railway stations me - This is a cracker !

I headed out of the town and began to follow the Pennine Bridleway.

This lane eventually becomes a bridleway

The Pennine Bridleway proper.

Finally I bump into the very occasional walker.

A view down to the very wet Long Preston Floodplain.

I had anticipated 15 miles today, so I was surprised to see Long Preston appearing in the distance with only 12 miles notched up.

Well, should still be a good walk/test for my foot.

Earlier finish than planned - My hotel is in Blackburn, what will I do with all my spare time I wonder.

Day 1 of two in this area complete - hope it's a bit brighter tomorrow.