THIS is a straightforward linear walk from Settle to Gargrave following the Pennine Bridleway via Nappa Cross to Malham (a good place to stop for lunch), then the Pennine Way to Gargrave, writes JOHN EDMONDSON. The Monday to Saturday bus service (number 580) can be used before the start or at the end of the walk, but note that the last one leaves Gargrave at 17:59. For an alternative circular walk, do the ‘Settle Loop’ and return to Settle from Nappa Cross by continuing along the Pennine Bridleway.

Start from Settle market place (map reference SD 819 633, postcode BD24 9ED).

Information:

Distance: 13 miles or 10 miles for the circular walk

Time: 6 hours (5 for the circular walk)

Terrain: Grassy paths and stony tracks.

Map: OS Explorer OL2

Route

1 From the market place walk past the Premier shop up Cheapside into High Street and keep left into Victoria Street. Keep straight on along the cobbled street and at the Green turn left onto Greenhead Lane. Continue past the No Through Road sign along Mitchell Lane. Turn left opposite Settle Barn onto the track signed Lambert Lane by a walled picnic area. Continue on a field footpath to a ladder stile then follow the wall on the left to a gate into Lambert Lane. Turn left and on meeting the road right. After 100 yards turn left and follow the tarmacked Stockdale Lane, signed Pennine Bridleway. The Pennine Bridleway is a 205-mile route for horse riders, cyclists and walkers from five miles south of Kirkby Stephen to Wirksworth in Derbyshire. At Stockdale Farm gate bear left onto a stony track signed Malham 3.5. Continue uphill along the grassy Pennine Bridleway to a gateway. This track is also part of the Dales High Way, a 90-mile route from Saltaire in West Yorkshire to Appleby-in-Westmorland. After passing the summit go to a gate with a three-way fingerpost. This place is called Nappa Cross. Malham Tarn can be seen to the left.

2 For the linear walk to Gargrave go straight on the path signed Cove Road. Descend to a fingerpost and turn right on the path signed 'Malham 1.5m'. After a short section of limestone pavement the grassy path makes a steep descent past a disused mine entrance. The walled lane to Malham can be seen ahead. Head to a gate next to a barn and stream then cross a footbridge at a wall corner to a stile next to a gate. Turn left onto the walled track signed Malham. Where the track bends to the right Malham Cove can be seen on the left. At the junction of tracks turn left then right down a stony path to meet the road in Malham. Turn right (along the woodland walk or road), walk past the Buck Inn and turn left around the Smithy through a kissing gate signed Pennine Way Hanlith. Keep straight on a field path past Aire Head, turning left at a wall and bearing right to Flatts Barn. Walk downhill on the road to Hanlith with its pretty stone houses and past Hanlith Hall. Turn left just before the bridge (signed Pennine Way Airton 1.5m) and left over the footbridge (signed Airton Bridge). Cross the road onto the footpath signed Pennine Way Gargrave. At Newfield Bridge turn right then left (signed Gargrave 3m). Walk over a footbridge, turn left and follow the path on the right of the road going uphill across a field and past a fingerpost. The Way bears left, goes to the right of a wood and joins a quiet lane into Gargrave.

3 For the circular walk, turn left at Nappa Cross (signed Langscar Gate 1.25) and walk downhill towards the Malham Tarn to a track by a facing wall. Turn left (signed Langcliffe 4.25) and walk along the Pennine Bridleway track for three miles, where it passes Jubilee Cave. Stay on the main track, going though two gates to meet a road. Turn left and follow the bridleway signed Settle to descend into the town via Constitution Hill to the market square.

Next week: Arnside

NB: restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.