Settle, Malham Cove & Gorbeck         26^th April 2008

Six of us this week Des, Paul, Ash, Screw, Dave & Scott (no Mick again) enjoyed this 13.5 miles in warmer weather than we have had of late. Several problems were encountered today, 1^st of which was a puncture for Des before he had even left home, then the derailear on Screws bike fell to pieces fortunately we were able to repair it, then the chain snapped on Ash’s bike again repairable. Plenty of technical climbs especially going up Stockdale lane & fast descents like the one down to Malham Cove make this a must for riders who enjoy being in the Dales with all its views. We had lunch in the Talbot in Settle for a much deserved pint & also caught the 2^nd half of the football.

Directions:- 

Follow the B6480 south from the centre of Settle towards the railway station and Skipton. Go past the Falcon Manor Hotel then 800m after passing under the railway bridge turn L onto a broad stone track immediately before a low stone house and opposite a tall wooden Settle town sign.

Cross a bridge over the railway and climb steadily. Go through Lodge Farm, turn L then shortly at a fork bear R uphill between stone walls. Fine views back down to Settle. Keep climbing on ‘cobble effect’ trail. At a T-junction with a major stone track turn L gently downhill then shortly turn first R sharply back on yourself signposted Bridleway, Settle Loop.

At the T-junction with the road turn R then take the first lane to the L signposted Bridleway and follow tarmac for 2.3km. At a fork of tracks at the end of the tarmac lane (with Stockdale Farm down to the right), bear L through a gate onto a narrower stone track alongside the wall. The stone track turns to grass then becomes rocky for the summit before turning back to grass.

Go through a gate with tall slate slabs as supports. Continue towards Cove Road, ignoring a bridleway to the left to Langscar Gate. Long descent on grass then grassand stone. Go through the gate and turn L uphill on the road.

After 1km and just before the cattle grid turn L uphill through a gate onto a faint grassy track. After 300m at a fork of grassy tracks bear R alongside the wall. Soon join a new stone track for the next 6km. Great views of Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough.

Descend. At the road turn L and immediately L again through a gate onto a track signposted Bridleway to Settle. Mainly grassy descent through gates then a steep stone downhill. Join tarmac and turn L to descend down to the square in the centre of Settle.

The above directions and map below were taken from ‘Yorkshire Dales Mountain Biking The South Dales’

For more details go to www.v-graphics.co.uk

Well worth purchasing!