12th November 2015 - Attermire Scar & Catrigg Force
Walk Details
Distance walked: 7.3 miles
Total ascent: 1868 ft
OS map used: OL2 -Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 5.5 hrs
Route description: Settle-Banks Lane-Warrendale Knotts-Attermire Scar-Victoria Cave-Jubilee Cave-Winskill Stones-Catrigg Force-Stainforth-Lower Winskill-Langcliffe-Banks Lane-Settle
Today was the only half decent day forecast for the rest of the week including the weekend and even then it was windy and the rain arrived early as I was walking back to Settle from Stainforth. However the sunny spells I enjoyed while walking from Victoria Cave to Winskill Stones more then made up for it. It's been four years since I last paid a visit to Catrigg Force so I thought that with all the recent rain now would be a good time for a look. This route from Settle that included some of the limestone scenery above the town was a good way of seeing it.
From the car park on the main street in Settle I made my way to the Market Place, up Constitution Hill and onto the bridleway of Banks Lane. As it levelled out I turned right and took the bridleway across to Malham. When I was below Warrendale Knotts I used a ladder stile to cross the wall and then after a steep climb I reached the trig point on its top. I then made my way across Warrendale Knotts to pick up the footpath below Attermire Scar to Victoria Cave. After having an explore of Victoria Cave and the other caves nearby I made my way back down to the path below to head to Jubilee Cave. It was then downhill to reach the Langcliffe to Malham road and the bridleway to Upper Winskill, which I wasn't on for long, next stop was the access land of Winskill Stones and a good place to stop for lunch. After my stop I went back up to the road and onto the bridleway down to Stainforth with a detour to see Catrigg Force on the way. From Stainforth I followed the path south to Lower Winskill, then Langcliffe and finally the bridleway back to Settle.
Total ascent: 1868 ft
OS map used: OL2 -Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 5.5 hrs
Route description: Settle-Banks Lane-Warrendale Knotts-Attermire Scar-Victoria Cave-Jubilee Cave-Winskill Stones-Catrigg Force-Stainforth-Lower Winskill-Langcliffe-Banks Lane-Settle
Today was the only half decent day forecast for the rest of the week including the weekend and even then it was windy and the rain arrived early as I was walking back to Settle from Stainforth. However the sunny spells I enjoyed while walking from Victoria Cave to Winskill Stones more then made up for it. It's been four years since I last paid a visit to Catrigg Force so I thought that with all the recent rain now would be a good time for a look. This route from Settle that included some of the limestone scenery above the town was a good way of seeing it.
From the car park on the main street in Settle I made my way to the Market Place, up Constitution Hill and onto the bridleway of Banks Lane. As it levelled out I turned right and took the bridleway across to Malham. When I was below Warrendale Knotts I used a ladder stile to cross the wall and then after a steep climb I reached the trig point on its top. I then made my way across Warrendale Knotts to pick up the footpath below Attermire Scar to Victoria Cave. After having an explore of Victoria Cave and the other caves nearby I made my way back down to the path below to head to Jubilee Cave. It was then downhill to reach the Langcliffe to Malham road and the bridleway to Upper Winskill, which I wasn't on for long, next stop was the access land of Winskill Stones and a good place to stop for lunch. After my stop I went back up to the road and onto the bridleway down to Stainforth with a detour to see Catrigg Force on the way. From Stainforth I followed the path south to Lower Winskill, then Langcliffe and finally the bridleway back to Settle.
Route map
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Leaving Settle on a quiet Thursday morning
Looking across Ribblesdale to Giggleswick and Giggleswick Scar
Heading up the bridleway of Banks Lane
Settle below
Looking up Ribblesdale to Penyghent
On the bridleway through Stockdale to Malham below Warrendale Knotts
and after a steep climb, by the trig point on Warrendale Knotts. That's Pendle Hill in the distance and I can also make out some flooded fields from the Ribble bursting its banks earlier in the week. Just fifteen minutes have passed since I took the last photo and there's been a disappointing change in the weather.
Looking up Ribblesdale to a cloud topped Ingleborough and Penyghent
Penyghent, Fountains Fell and the opening of Victoria Cave in Attermire Scar is easy to make out
Looking across Stockdale to Rye Loaf Hill. The limestone cliffs make the line of the Craven Fault.
After leaving Warrendale Knotts, on the path below Attermire Scar to Victoria Cave
As I approach Victoria Cave there's a welcome improvement in the weather with the arrival of blue skies and sunshine. I don't know if that dark slit up there has a name but I do know that I'm not going to go up and have a look at it.
At the entrance to Victoria Cave..
..and the information board
Inside Victoria Cave and there's a lot of water dripping from the ceiling
This cave is just above and to the left of Victoria Cave. I don't know if it has a name but I went in the right hand entrance to have a look.
Snug and dry inside
Heading back to the main path from Victoria Cave and Wet Cave is passed. As its name suggests the inside was anything but dry.
On the Langcliffe to Malham bridleway as I approach Jubilee Cave. They're at the base of the right hand scar.
The Jubilee Caves
On the top of the scar above Jubilee Cave and it's a lovely start to the afternoon. Looking across Ribblesdale to Ingleborough and Whernside.
Penyghent and Fountains Fell
Great views across Ribblesdale as I head down to the Langcliffe to Malham road..
It was from that road that I reached the bridleway to Upper Winskill and from that the Winskill Stones. I took several photos from them but these two were my favourites..
At the top of Catrigg Force
After all the recent rain it's an impressive sight
On the bridleway down to..
..and into Stainforth
Looking back to Stainforth and the weather has definitely taken a turn for the worse as rain sweeps across Ribblesdale
At Lower Winskill
Settle in the distance as I drop back down to the valley floor
Leaving Langcliffe behind
and back above Settle