Gearing up for the Settle to Carlisle walking festival

Recently named by The Telegraph as mainland Britain's best walking festival, ride2stride is a week long bonanza of walks, talks and music along the Settle to Carlisle Railway line.

And it takes place from April 25 to May 1, which means hikers will be able to join in celebrations following the reopening of the full length of the line on March 31.

The festival is billed as a 'celebration of the wonderful landscape and culture of the western Dales and Eden Valley'.

And it will feature lots of events and activities along the length of the line.

Walks will be led from stations by experienced walk leaders, speakers will share their local knowledge and love of the area, and the pubs will be buzzing with music and song.

Included in the programme are a behind the scenes look at the restored Settle Water Tower and signal box, and a visit to the copper domed Giggleswick Chapel.

There is a walk to investigate the industrial past of Upper Ribblesdale, and a linear walk from Settle to Horton-in-Ribblesdale from Colin Speakman, vice president of the Yorkshire Dales Society.

Another walk, with talk, will centre on Ribblehead Viaduct and the Jericho shanty town, that sprang up during construction.

There will also be walks up Penyghent and Ingleborough, to the fascinating Norber Erratics and a walk to the ancient woodland at Cleatop, near Settle.

All walks start and finish at a station, and are free of charge. Dogs will not be allowed on the walks however, because of the large number of walkers expected and in order to protect livestock and wildlife.

Ride2stride programmes are available now from stations on the Settle to Carlisle line, or online at ride2stride.org.uk