
The River Ribble starts on the moor above Newby Head, at Gavel Gap and flows on towards the Irish Sea. Ribblesdale is the area from the source of the River Ribble until Settle (or Helllifield depending who you speak to), after which it becomes known as the Ribble Valley.
Along its route you'll find the famous and stunning Ribblehead Viaduct, along the route of the much-lovedSettle-Carlisle Railway. Many visitors are drawn to Ribblesdale to enjoy the wonderful walking routes including part of the Pennine Way and the Dales High Way.
Ribblesdale is home to Yorkshire’s famous Three Peaks, Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent, popular challenges for walkers, cyclists and fell-runners alike. At 2415 ft, Whernside is the highest point in North Yorkshire. With the highs come the lows - in this case deep into the ground. On the southern slopes of Ingleborough lies Gaping Gill, one of the largest underground open chambers in the country and just one of the numerous potholes and cave systems to explore. The more-fainted may prevent less arduous adventure in Ingleborough Cave near Clapham and Ingleton.
This area’s history is written in its landscape. You can find the remnants of walls dating from the pre-Roman era, old drovers’ lanes, dry-stone walls, sheep creeps, wash dubs, bee boles, packhorse bridges and lime kilns, including the remarkable Hoffman Kiln. If you visit in Autumn you may even be able to see the spectacle of salmon leaping at Stainforth.
Images: View from Gauber Bunk Barn by Katie Hawkins; Ribblehead Viaduct by Terry Jackman; Stainforth by Andrew Locking of AndrewsWalks