IT'S not taken place for three years because of the pandemic, but the Ride2Stride walking festival is back next week. Rosemary Feather gives us a run-down on what to expect from the festival which actively encourages people to travel to the Dales by train.

 

AFTER a three year break the very popular Settle-Carlisle walking festival, Ride2Stride is back - and there is plenty to suit everyone, from easy strolls to more challenging hikes.

There will also be talks and live music, taking place in the pubs in Settle, and the walks - which are free to attend - will start and finish from railway stations along the Settle-Carlisle line - making the festival not only accessible to anyone without a car, but removing the need for people to drive to the Dales to take part in a walk in glorious countryside.

Kicking off on Tuesday, April 25 and running until Monday, May 1, the festival, which was last held in 2019 and was one of the many events to fall victim to the Covid-19 pandemic, aims to promote the use of public transport - mainly in the form of the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Railway - bringing walkers into the Dales to enjoy a varied programme of walks, talks and music.

On launch day Colin Speakman,Yorkshire author, writer of many walking guides, environmentalist and originator of the very beautiful Dales Way long distance path, will open the festival at Settle Station at 10.30 am. Immediately afterwards, a variety of walks will then depart from the station. Walkers will be pleased to know that the on-train trolley team will be in attendance with a gazebo in the station forecourt to enable the purchase of tea, coffee and snacks before the walks depart.

The programme of guided walks is varied and will suit a variety of levels of walkers, and all will set off from, and return from various stations along the line. All walks will be led by a number of experienced leaders who will meet the groups at the appropriate station.

It is stressed that walkers wishing to join one of the walks should come prepared with the proper footwear, waterproof clothing and enough food and drink for a full day of walking - remember, weather in the Dales can change very quickly from a pleasant, sunny day, to wind, rain and hail!

It is also important that walkers choose the level of walks - from seven to 12 miles - to suit their own capabilities.

A walk marked 'easy' will be taken at a leisurely pace with plenty of breaks to take in the wonderful scenery and often visiting a site of interest. 'Moderate' walks are for the more experienced walker and will be at a moderate pace, but will include steeper uphill and downhill terrain.

Finally, 'strenuous' walks will be taken at a brisk pace, and will include steep inclines, rough terrain, including in some cases scrambling and longer mileages and are suitable for experienced walkers only.

There are two new walks planned for this year the first is on Wednesday April 26, and is called 'Footsteps in Time'.

The walk will leave Ribblehead Station, close to Whernside, at 10.39 am, and will visit sites of interest associated with the building of the railway.

The second, on Friday, April 28, will set off from Garsdale Station at 10.54 am and is entitled “The Lost Railway” which follows the route of the now disused railway line from Garsdale to Hawes.

There will also be circular walks from Skipton, including a 10 mile walk to the top of Sharphaw.

Regrettably, dogs are not allowed on any of the walks. As the festival is in early spring the fields will be full of young livestock.

A programme of evening talks will all take place in The Friends Meeting House in Kirkgate in Settle, at 7 pm with an entrance charge of £3.

The first talk is by Colin Speakman “A celebration of riding and striding” and will take place on Tuesday April 25. On Wednesday, April 26, Bill Fraser, geology lecturer will talk on “Rock for Ribblehead” and lastly a talk by the Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) entitled “Who we are and what we do”.

The CRO, based in Clapham, provides an essential service for walkers, climbers and cavers in the area around the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and also assists neighbouring mountain rescue teams.

New for 2023 there will be an exciting programme of music, including Jazz, folk and music from the 1970’s and 1980’s provided by a variety of talented local musicians to be held at the pubs, The Golden Lion and the Talbot Arms, in Settle in the evenings.

Please come and join us to make this festival a wonderful success. Ride2Stride is for everyone who loves the Dales, whether you travel to an event by train, live along the line or book your holiday to take advantage of the festival, we're sure you will have a good time.

Further information can be found on the website : www.ride2stride.co.uk. Leaflets are also available from railway stations, or from tourist information offices.