The River Ribble starts at a spot called Gavel Gap high on the moor above Newby Head. It is a famous salmon river and watching salmon leaping up the various waterfalls along its course in the Autumn is one of nature's wonders.
Three Peaks
Ribblesdale is the best known walking area in the National Park and features Yorkshire's famous Three Peaks - Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent - offering challenging walks and amazing views. A series of long distance routes pass through this area; the Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway, Ribble Way, Pennine Journey and Dales High Way.
Trains and tea
From Settle, the historic Settle-Carlisle Railway passes over the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct before plunging into the longest tunnel on the line at Blea Moor, a tremendous feat of Victorian engineering.
At Ribblehead there is the train station which has an interesting exhibition about the railway, and the Station Inn pub. Further down the valley is Horton-in-Ribblesdale which has two cafes, two pubs and places to stay. It is also the starting point for many walks. Helwith Bridge also has a pub and picnic area, as does Stainforth where you will find a number of walks to nearby waterfalls from our National Park car park.
In addition to tourism and farming, Ribblesdale also has a number of quarries supplying high quality stone to industry.
