Settle Waterfalls and Caves

Overview

Height: 275 m; 902 ft
Distance: 8.5 miles; 13.5 km 
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Estimated Time: 4 hours
Map: OL2 Yorkshire Dales South & Western
Route: View in Google Maps
GPX File: Download GPX file (desktop only) – What is a GPX file?

This circular walk starts in Settle and visits Stainforth Force, a small but magnificent waterfall; Catrigg Force, a tall waterfall with a rock pool (perfect for a swim if you can brave the cold); Jubilee Cave, a small but exciting cave you can explore with a head torch; and Victoria Cave, a huge cave with amazing history: bones of hippos, rhinos, elephants, reindeer and hyenas have been discovered in the cave.

Route

Settle Waterfalls and Caves Route

View in Google Maps

Elevation Profile

Parking and Transport

The start and finish point for the Settle Waterfalls and Caves walk is the well-connected village of Settle. Settle is on the Leeds-Carlisle train line and is accessible by bus from surrounding villages.

There is a large car park just outside of the centre of Settle, which is situated perfectly for this walk. The full address is

Whitefriars Car and Coach Park
Church Street
Settle
BD24 9JD

Car park prices

Up to 1 Hour£1.10
Up to 2 Hours£2.00
Up to 3 Hours£2.60
Up to 4 Hours£3.20
Over 4 Hours£3.90

Facilities

There are shops and pubs in Settle.

There are public toilets in Stainforth, which is just after Stainforth Force.

Starting the Settle Waterfalls and Cave Route

From the Whitefriars Car and Coach Park, head left on the B6480 under the Settle viaduct.

Victoria Cave to Settle 18

At the bridge, cross over the white-fenced footpath.

Victoria Cave to Settle 19

Cross over the bridge, following the signpost for “Ribble Way Stackhouse”. The route is a chalky path next to the football pitch.

Settle to Stainforth Force Crossing
Settle to Stainforth Force 2
Settle to Stainforth Force 3
Settle to Stainforth Force 4

Head through the gate and cross the field.

Settle to Stainforth Force 5
Settle to Stainforth Force 6
Settle to Stainforth Force 7

From the stone wall, head diagonally towards the main road. You should be able to see the next gate in the distance.

Settle to Stainforth Force 8
Settle to Stainforth Force 9

Go through the gate and turn right onto the main road. There’s no designated walking path but it is a quiet road without too much traffic.

Settle to Stainforth Force 10
Settle to Stainforth Force 11

Keep right as the road splits in two.

Settle to Stainforth Force right turn

Turn right away from the road and go through the wooden gate next to the house. A signpost confirms the route for Stainforth.

Settle to Stainforth Force 13
Settle to Stainforth Force 14

Turn left onto the grassed route, keeping the river on your right-hand side.

Settle to Stainforth Force left turn
Settle to Stainforth Force 16
River Ribble.jpg
Settle to Stainforth Force 17
Settle to Stainforth Force 18
Settle to Stainforth Force 19

Go through the smaller wooden gate on the right.

Settle to Stainforth Force 20

Stainforth Force is filled with wildlife including kingfishers, trout, crayfish and even otters. The main attraction for Stainforth Force is the leaping salmon battling upstream of the falls. The salmon start to appear in October. The below video has some fantastic footage of the salmon. 

Stainforth Force
Stainforth Force 2
Stainforth Force Walk
Stainforth Force Route.
Stainforth Force Bridge

Head over the bridge once you have finished at Stainforth Force.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force
Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 2

Turn right onto the bridleway before reaching the main road, following the signpost for Stainforth.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force Right Turn
Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 5

Turn right again, continuing to follow the signpost for Stainforth.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 6
Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 7

The path leads into Stainforth car park. There are public toilets here.

From the car park, head right onto the main road. There is a signpost for Catrigg Force.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 9

Follow the road around to the right and cross over the bridge.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 10
Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 11

Turn left immediately after the bridge, following the footpath and signpost for “FP Main Street”.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force Bridge Turn
Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 15

Turn left passed the houses.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force turn through houses

Bearing right, you will see the bridleway and signpost for Catrigg Force.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 17
Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 18
Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 19.

The bridleway is steep. The majority of the elevation for this walk is in this area.

Stainforth Force to Catrigg Force 20

At the signpost and gate, turn left to visit Catrigg Force. After Catrigg Force, you will return here to continue through the wooden gate towards Jubilee Cave.

Catrigg Force and Jubilee Cave

You can view Catrigg Force from the top of the waterfall and also make your way down to the swimming hole at the bottom.

Top of Catrigg Force
Catrigg Force

After Catrigg Force, make your way back to the signpost and continue through the wooden gate. Keep following the stone path until you reach the road.

Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave

At the end of the path, turn right onto the road.

Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave Right Turn
Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave 5

Pass over the cattle grid and turn left up the grass route.

Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave 6
Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave uphill

Keep left as the grassed route splits in two.

Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave 8

Pass through the stile in the stone wall.

Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave 10

Keep left again on the uphill route.

Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave 11

Cross over the stone wall. You can see Jubilee Cave as you cross over the wall. Head left towards Jubilee Cave.

Catrigg Force to Jubilee Cave 13

The Jubilee Cave entrance is quite small but reveals a large cave to look around. You will need a head torch to explore it properly.

Jubilee Cave Entrance

After visiting Jubilee Cave, head left and continue along the bridleway.

Jubilee Cave to Victoria Cave

Come off the bridleway to the left. Following the signpost for Victoria Cave.

Jubilee Cave to Victoria Cave 2
Jubilee Cave to Victoria Cave 3

Keep left as the path splits in two.

Victoria Cave to Settle

Victoria Cave has a large entrance. You cannot explore Victoria Cave due to it being protected by a barrier but it’s still amazing to visit.

Victoria Cave.

From Victoria Cave, head back to the path and follow the route along the stone wall.

Victoria Cave to Settle 2

At the edge of the stone wall, continue straight along the grass route.

Victoria Cave to Settle 3
Victoria Cave to Settle 4

Turn right through the gap in the stone wall.

Victoria Cave to Settle 5
Victoria Cave to Settle 6
Victoria Cave to Settle 7

Both routes lead back to Settle. If you wish to explore more caves, head right, if you wish to return to Settle on an easier path, keep left.

Victoria Cave to Settle 8

You will see Settle in the distance.

Victoria Cave to Settle 10

As you reach the path, head left and continue through the gate.

Victoria Cave to Settle 11

Continue straight ahead, leading back into the centre of Settle.

Victoria Cave to Settle 13

Keep following the road through Settle. Head right onto Church Street (B6480).

Victoria Cave to Settle 14

The road will lead you back to the Whitefriars Car and Coach Park.

Victoria Cave to Settle 15