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Home> Walks> Ribble Way: Gearstones to Gavel Gap

Ribble Way: Gearstones to Gavel Gap

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Walk directions

Turn right (east) along the road and, soon after it bends to the right, turn left, along a track signposted ‘to Denthead’. Here, the Dales Way is joined. Follow it to houses at Winshaw, pass left of them and climb steeply, then follow the wall on the right. When it drops away to the right, continue ahead to meet a rough track and turn left uphill.

Follow this fine moorland track, known as Black Rake Road, until it meets the Dent to Newby Head Road. Turn right on to the road to Newby Head, leaving the Dales Way.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Narrow moorland paths at first then mostly on well-defined tracks, some recently upgraded
  Landscape  - High acid moorland with grandstand views of the Three Peaks
  Dog friendliness  - Open moorland is good for dogs as long as sheep are not present: check carefully
  Parking  - Roadside parking (several large lay-bys at Ribblehead)
  Toilets en route  - None on route
About the walk
A first glance at the statistics may suggest that this is a very short stage, but the walking isn’t all over when you reach the ‘finish’ at Gavel Gap – unless you can arrange for a helicopter pickup! More sensibly, as this point is also on the Pennine Bridleway, you could arrange for a bike to be...
Read more
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Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Self-Catering
The Byres
★★★★
awardaward
"Spotless property in superb rural location perfect for walkers and close to Horton in Ribblesdale..."
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
  • Linens provided
Self-Catering
The Byres, Selside Farm
★★★★
awardaward
"Spotless property in superb rural location perfect for walkers and close to Horton in Ribblesdale..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Self-Catering
Mire Garth
★★★★
award
"Spacious, well equipped and with splendid views..."
  • Total units: 1
Nearby places to stay
The Byres
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
The Byres, Selside Farm
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
Mire Garth
Up a single-track road three miles from Dent, in a beautiful natural amphitheatre, lies stone-built, 17th-century Mire Garth and its lovingly tended garden. Here, on the north-western f...
★★★★    Rating
Mire Garth
Up a single-track road three miles from Dent, in a beautiful natural amphitheatre, lies stone-built, 17th-century Mire Garth and its lovingly tended garden. Here, on the north-western f...
★★★★    Rating
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
Middleton's Cottage
Awaiting description...
★★★    Rating
Fountain Cottage
Awaiting description...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
Stone House Hotel
Pheasant Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Pheasant Inn
Places to eat nearby
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
Stone House Hotel
Pheasant Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Pheasant Inn
The Golden Lion
Number Nine Restaurant and Bar
   AA Rosette Award
The Sun Inn
Sun Inn Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
1hr 45min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Hard

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
4.9 miles (7.8kms)

Ascent:
1075ft (327m)

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Ribble Way: Gearstones to Gavel Gap

Recommended by
Walk details
1hr 45min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Hard
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
4.9 miles (7.8kms)
Ascent:
1075ft (327m)
Walk directions

Turn right (east) along the road and, soon after it bends to the right, turn left, along a track signposted ‘to Denthead’. Here, the Dales Way is joined. Follow it to houses at Winshaw, pass left of them and climb steeply, then follow the wall on the right. When it drops away to the right, continue ahead to meet a rough track and turn left uphill.

1 of 5

Follow this fine moorland track, known as Black Rake Road, until it meets the Dent to Newby Head Road. Turn right on to the road to Newby Head, leaving the Dales Way.
2 of 5

When the Ingleton–Hawes road is reached turn left, along it, for about 110yds (100m), and turn right on to a moorland footpath signposted ‘to Gavel Gap’. Or, more easily and more logically, turn right a few paces then go left up an obvious track, signed Pennine Bridleway. The other route soon joins this.
3 of 5

Follow the track, mostly climbing steadily, for about 1.5 miles (2.4km) to a gate in a stone wall (which once marked the boundary between the old West Riding and North Riding). This is Gavel Gap (SD 813 832) and this lonely spot marks the end, or the beginning, of the Ribble Way. A spring just above may presumably be considered to be the ultimate source of the river.
4 of 5

If you have motorised support, you can either retrace your steps back to the Ingleton–Hawes road at Newby Head, or continue (shorter and more interesting) on the Pennine Bridleway to Cold Keld Gate (SD 826 832), where it meets a minor road.


A If your destination is Ribblehead station, don’t go through the gate. Instead walk away from it and follow faint tracks across the moor, along the base of a steep slope on your left. Continue alongside a wire fence and ruined wall until you reach a metal gate in a more solid wall. Pass through this and follow a green track which soon starts to descend and swing right to join a clear stony track, Cam High Road (also used by the Dales Way and, in part, by the Pennine Way too).


B Bear right and follow this downhill for about 2 miles (3.2km) to the B6255 near Gearstones. Go left for another 1.5 miles (2.4km) to the Station Inn and the station itself.

 
5 of 5
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Narrow moorland paths at first then mostly on well-defined tracks, some recently upgraded
  Landscape - High acid moorland with grandstand views of the Three Peaks
  Dog friendliness - Open moorland is good for dogs as long as sheep are not present: check carefully
  Parking - Roadside parking (several large lay-bys at Ribblehead)
  Toilets en route - None on route
About the walk
A first glance at the statistics may suggest that this is a very short stage, but the walking isn’t all over when you reach the ‘finish’ at Gavel Gap – unless you can arrange for a helicopter pickup! More sensibly, as this point is also on the Pennine Bridleway, you could arrange for a bike to be...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
not available. .
Explore

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Self-Catering
The Byres
★★★★
awardaward
"Spotless property in superb rural location perfect for walkers and close to Horton in Ribblesdale..."
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
  • Linens provided
Self-Catering
The Byres, Selside Farm
★★★★
awardaward
"Spotless property in superb rural location perfect for walkers and close to Horton in Ribblesdale..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Private garden
  • Washing machine
  • Sky or freeview
Self-Catering
Mire Garth
★★★★
award
"Spacious, well equipped and with splendid views..."
  • Total units: 1
Nearby places to stay
The Byres
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
The Byres, Selside Farm
The Byres is a delightfully converted semi-detached, 18th-century traditional dales stone barn, offering superb accommodation and surrounded by the beautiful countryside of a working hi...
★★★★    Rating
Mire Garth
Up a single-track road three miles from Dent, in a beautiful natural amphitheatre, lies stone-built, 17th-century Mire Garth and its lovingly tended garden. Here, on the north-western f...
★★★★    Rating
Mire Garth
Up a single-track road three miles from Dent, in a beautiful natural amphitheatre, lies stone-built, 17th-century Mire Garth and its lovingly tended garden. Here, on the north-western f...
★★★★    Rating
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
Blindbeck Holiday Cottage
Blindbeck Cottage is a great base for lovers of railways and of walking. It’s on the outskirts of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, at the heart of Three Peaks territory, and the station in the vi...
★★★    Rating
Middleton's Cottage and Fountain Cottage
Both cottages date from the 17th or 18th century and have been updated to provide cosy accommodation for upto 4 people. They are located on the cobbled Main Street in Dent close to the...
★★★    Rating
Middleton's Cottage
Awaiting description...
★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
Stone House Hotel
Pheasant Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Pheasant Inn
Places to eat nearby
The Traddock
   AA Rosette Award
Stone House Hotel
Pheasant Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Pheasant Inn
The Golden Lion
Number Nine Restaurant and Bar
   AA Rosette Award
The Sun Inn
Sun Inn Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby