Ribblehead Viaduct with low winter sunset and child sat in front

Ribblehead Viaduct Circular

The Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the most iconic locations in the Yorkshire Dales, which is why it makes a great starting point for this family friendly circular.

If you’re looking for an easy circular walk from Ribblehead, this is the one!

This four mile loop starts and ends at the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. I mean, what more could you ask for in terms of a memorable start?

This incredible feat of engineering was completed in 1875, taking over 5 years to finish and when you walk right underneath the iconic arches of the viaduct, you can’t help but be in awe of the enormity of the structure, but more about that below!

This family friendly circular walk is on relatively easy terrain and is ideal for a budding train enthusiast. Oh and grown ups… it ends with a pub that in Winter is super cosy and in Summer? It has a beer garden with possibly the BEST view in the Yorkshire Dales.

All aboard? Let’s go!

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I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).

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The ribblehead viaduct with the sunset in the background and children looking at monument

The monument under the Ribblehead Viaduct to the workers who built it.

Walk details for the Ribblehead Viaduct

Distance: 4 miles circular

Terrain: Mostly easy underfoot access tracks and lanes, there is some grassy terrain when you approach Broadrake at the half way point.

Parking: Ribblehead viaduct has ample roadside parking with designated hard standing areas. This is free. Park respectfully.

Public Transport: There are buses that run to Ribblehead Viaduct with a stop outside the Station Inn. Check out the bus timetable on the Dales Bus Website. The viaduct also has a train station which makes it SUPER easy to reach by public transport.

Dog friendly? Yes, dogs to be kept under close control

Location: Ribblehead. Nearest towns are Settle/ Ingleton/ Hawes

What 3 Words: Start point mini.earplugs.overhead

Toilets/ Baby Change: nearest are Ingleton and Horton in Ribblesdale. The Station Inn and train station have facilities.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: The Station Inn. You’ll also find an ice cream van there most of the year!

Children walking in low winter light with Ingleborough mountain in the distance

The access track to Gunnerfleet Farm with Ingleborough in the distance.

How to walk the Ribblehead Viaduct circular

Directions to be used in conjunction with a map.

Beginning from the car parking area, regardless of where you are, you have the easiest start. Walk in the direction of that MASSIVE viaduct. You want to get to the monument, which is located on the access track that goes underneath the arches. Take a moment to have a look at it, it commemorates the workers and those who died during the construction.
Head along the access track and follow this through a gate, and onwards, passing the stunning Three Peaks glamping pods at Gunnerfleet Farm on your way. After you pass these on your right (and the equally pretty holiday cottage on your left) you will head across a cattle grid and over a road bridge crossing Winterscales Beck.
Here, turn left, continuing along the well surfaced access road (pictured). Ahead you will see Ingleborough and on your right is the tallest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, Whernside.
Continue along the access road for around 1km. You will almost reach a boundary wall, cattle grid and gate, but the path here turns right off the tarmac and continues along a grassy bridleway. The bridleway will take you close to the edge of Winterscales Beck, which at this point mainly runs dry (a typical feature of cave country!)
Roughly follow the line of the beck north continuing along the wide grassy track, until it crosses the ‘beck’ (also mainly dry!) and follow the track until it passes through a wooden gate in the wall. It bends round to the right, in the direction of Broadrake. Cross another cattle grid, and onto a rough access track. Keep straight on until you reach Broadrake bunkbarn. Here turn right - there is a cute musical bench on the seating area outside - and continue past the property, following the sign for the path as you exit the front area of the property.
Now you will follow a very clear path through a further 3 fields until you reach the farm at Ivescar. Head through the farm yard straight on. You will come out the other side, passing a sign post on your left. You want to head in the direction of Deep Dale, keeping straight on through the gate.
The is wide and obvious, follow it over a little stone bridge and past more farm buildings until you head through a wooden gate. The path begins to rise slightly here and in the distance you will see the Blea Moor signal box as you head back to the underpass underneath the train tracks. Continue under here, and then turn right.
The path will now lead you alongside the train tracks until you return to your start point (and if you like, to the pub!)

Last walked December 2025.

The musical bench at Broadrake

The dry beck with low winter sun and child crossing

The crossing at Winterscales beck. This was after a period of rain, so it’s fair to say it takes a bit for it to run!

Standing next to a stream bed with trees and winter sky

The path runs next to Winterscales beck

Child walking over small stone bridge with farm in the background

The path returning to the train line

Looking up at the MASSIVE arches of the viaduct.

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

☕ There is often a van that sells hot drinks and bacon sandwiches at the parking area (admittedly, not the BEST bacon sandwiches) but a brew is a great way to kick off the walk!

🚂 This one is a train lovers dream! The Ribblehead viaduct is on the Settle to Carlisle railway and is in full working order! If you’re lucky an occasional steam train can be seen too! (We’ve been lucky only once, but you can check out the Settle to Carlisle website to see the times of the steam excursions if you’re keen!)

👻 I do love a ghost story, and there are plenty about Blea Moor and Ribblehead! Built back in the 19th Century, the construction of the Ribblehead Viaduct was not only a monumental achievement in terms of engineering, but also in terms of man power. The workers set up camps across the moors surrounding the building site, but the conditions were bleak, hard and an endurance test in themselves. Sadly, many lost their lives to smallpox, brawling and in the construction process, which has led to stories of several hauntings in the area. One at the Blea Moor Signal Box, where ghostly phone calls were heard. One at Blea Moor Tunnel where an oppressive atmosphere is felt in the train carriages as they pass through, and many more from the moorland. This walk takes in all of them! Read more about the Yorkshire Dales Ghost Stories by heading to the blog!

🍦 During the warmer months there is a regular ice cream van stationed at the parking area of Ribblehead and in Three Peaks Season, there is one at the bottom of the climb!

🍻 The Station Inn has an awesome beer garden with views across the Ribblehead Viaduct.

🌳 After some distractions to keep those whinges at bay? Why not try some of our whinge busting walking games, or a scavenger sheet? There are also some geocaches to be bagged on this walk to (download the geocaching app for more)

Helpful Information!

For more helpful information head to our safety tips and advice page.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! These walks are intended as a guide only and are undertaken at your own risk. The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. If in doubt, turn back. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS or your phone alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

The ribblehead viaduct with sunset behind and child walking towards

The ordnance survey map of the Ribblehead viaduct and route

Want to grab the route?

Head to the Ordnance Survey Navigation App where you can download the route!

(Always carry a back up map and know how to use it)

Image is Copyright of Ordnance Survey

Tap here to head to the Ordnance Survey Route

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