Long Preston, Newton  Moor Top and Scaleber Force

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: On road parking outside the Maypole Inn, Long Preston (SD 834523)		Ordnance Survey Map OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern and Western Areas. Buy this map from List of OS Maps   Note: If you use OS Maps on-line, you can download this route via this link.
Distance: 9.7 miles	Date of Walk: 18 November 2011
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	1144ft (349m) 1147ft (350m)
Traffic light rating:    (For explanation see My Walks page)
For advice on .gpx files see My Walks page	Click the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the photos.

To view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here.

Introduction: Long Preston is an attractive Yorkshire Dales village which has the misfortune to be bisected by the A65. At least it makes it easy to find! It sits between Gargrave and Settle. It has a train station too.

This walk is almost too easy being for the most part on broad clear tracks. Although it is almost 10 miles long, it is unlikely you will actually feel you have covered that distance. The walk includes an “optional extra” of half a mile each way to the trig. point at Newton Moor Top which is a surprisingly little visited spot considering the panoramic view it affords. You get to view the impressive Scaleber Force waterfall and some attractive limestone scenery at the rear of Settle. Almost throughout the walk, there are excellent views over Ribblesdale to Pendle Hill. I do however have to appologise for the photos as it was a very dull overcast day when I did this walk.

Refreshments are available at pubs in Long Preston, not least the Maypole Inn on the village green from where the walk starts.

Start: With your back to the A65, proceed straight ahead. When the road forks, bear right along School Lane. Follow the road round past the school ignoring the first path off to the left, then take the narrow walled footpath with the fingerpost for New House Lane (SD 837583) (you will be within sight of the village church at this point).

On reaching the tarmac lane (SD 839581), turn left and continue along this  lane passing Fern Hill Farm. On arriving at three gates, keep to the left gate – which is in effect straight ahead.

When the lane ends at a farm (Little Newton), turn left through the small gate (SD 852580). Aim for the small bridge and cross the beck to follow the track along its right hand bank. Follow the beck and go through a small gated stile (SD 852585).

You are now on Access Land and the point at which you have to decide whether to visit Newton Moor Top or just follow the stream to a small bridge to continue the walk.

Personally I would not miss the top for the small climb involved. I followed the stream along for perhaps further than I needed to as I was expecting to see a path on the right leading to the summit. However, this is obviously such a little visited spot, there is no beaten path. The route I show on the map is the route I actually went, taken from the track recorded by my GPS receiver. So pick your point  and head off right. Simply keep climbing and you will get to the trig. point (SD 858588).

From the trig point, you can either go back the way you came or, as I did, follow the slight track starting just east of north and gradually bending round west of north (left) heading for the wall at the bottom – there is a gully with a small stream which leads you down.

On reaching the wall (SD 857590),turn left and follow it along until you get to a footbridge (SD 851590). Cross this  and follow the rising path alongside the wall and go through a gated stone step stile. Follow the path ahead, bearing slightly right towards the little tree lined valley. At the wire fence, cross the little stile and turn left to follow the fence. As you reach the top of the rise, you will see two gates either side of a walled lane. Go through the first (SD 855594) and turn left along the lane (or you could use the ladder stile to the right).

You pass the attractive house Bookilber Barn.

Stay on this track for about 2 miles passing The Hawes Broadleaf Woodland (to be!) and on reaching the road, turn left (SD 842625).

Cross the road bridge over the stream and take the second little stile on the left (or the first but then you will have a bit of a climb). This leads to Scaleber Force which can be impressive after rain. There is a handy bench here for your sandwiches.

After seeing Scaleber Force, go back to the road and turn left following it downhill until you reach the track with a fingerpost for the Pennine Bridleway and Lambert Lane. Pass (SD 835631). Turn left here and continue on this track ignoring a left turn through a gate after ¼ mile or so.

When you reach a road (SD 829625) (which is Mitchell lane out of Settle) turn left along the track. Where it splits, keep left following the line of the trees. At a wall, you are joined by another track from the left. Ignore this and continue to follow the wall round on the main track. Eventually the track turns into a tarmac road which takes you back to Long Preston. Turn right at the ‘T’ junction and you are back at the village green.

If you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking Store

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.