Stainforth
I did this walk with one of the walking groups I had joined, the weather leading up to the walk had been miserable to say the least, there had been major down pours of rain, and most low-lying areas had been flooded. The weather this day was very overcast, but the rain stayed away.
If my memory serves me right, this map shows roughly the route we did
We parked in the little carpark just off the B6479, the parking charges are very cheap and there are public toilets there.
After putting boots on and our ruck sacks, we headed right out of the car park, following the road round to the right. Just after the righthand bend and over the bridge, there is the Craven Heifer Hotel/pub. Opposite the pub is a short road, which we headed along to the end, then we turned left, following the road through this lovely little village. We continued along the road past the village green on the left, we then headed right and uphill. The road become little more than a track as it starts to climb steeply out of the village.
A view looking towards Settle, notice the remnants of flooded fields
The track has drystone walls either side of it. We eventually came to a gate, with a small gat off to the left, signposted Catrigg Foss (Force) only (we could hear the roar of the waterfall from here), this is where we were heading for, so once through the gate we headed downhill, where you come to the stream (because of the recent weather, this stream was a raging torrent) at the top of the waterfall. We then turned left going through another gate and headed downhill again. There are some steps leading off to the right, which we took, and there in front of us was this waterfall in full flow.
Catrigg Force (Foss) in full flow. When I revisit this waterfall in 2018, it is more like a trickle, and I could get a lot closer to the waterfall.
Because I was with a group, and this was still only the 1st mile into the walk, I had to rush to take whatever photos I could, it also didn’t help that I was still relatively new to photography. I took some photos then while the group started to retrace their steps back up the track, I quickly put my camera equipment away, and started to play catch up.
Some of the members of the group heading back up the hill after visiting Catrigg Force (Foss)
Once back up to the track with the large gate, we headed through the large gate and followed the path off to the right. From here the route is a little hazy (see the map towards the top of the page, for a rough version of the route), all I know is we got to grid ref SD 81758 65399 which is a bridge over the River Ribble, leading from Locks Barn. Next to the bridge is a weir. Once across the bridge we headed right following the path alongside the river. The path goes between a wooded area and the river bank. It was here we stopped for a break, after we had had a bite to eat and a drink, we continued along the path, still with the river to our right. The river bends left then right, we then came to Stainforth Force (Foss). I managed to get a few photos, before the group started to continue with the walk.
The weir next to the bridge.
The path brings you to a gate and a step through in the wall, then onto a very narrow lane called Dog Hill Brow. Once on the lane we crossed over the bridge, following the lane round to the left. The lane starts to become steep from here, as it winds its way round to the right, eventually levelling off as you go over a railway bridge and then to the B6479. We crossed the road, then headed right following the road until we arrived back at the car park on the left.
After changing out of our boots and putting our gear into our cars, we headed back into the village to the Craven Heifer pub for a well-deserved pint before heading back home.
This walk highlights the problems I have walking with groups, yes, I enjoy the company, and I don’t have to think about plotting routes, but if I want to stop and take photos, I am limited to the amount of time I can take to get the photos I want. Since doing this walk I have always planned to come back, so I can spend more time taking photos.
Stainforth Foss & Catrigg Foss Walk 15th July 2018
We have had quite a good few weeks/months of really good weather, so I thought right let’s get out somewhere to enjoy the weather and be able to walk with lightweight gear instead of a rucksack full of waterproof/warm clothing, just me in shorts, t-shirt, walking trainers and my camera bag.
​
It was then that I thought, lets go and revisit Stainforth! Let's see what photos I can get when given the time to take them!
The top of Catrigg Foss 2016
The difference the weather makes. The 2 photos were taken more or less in the same spot.
The photo above was taken in 2016 after major down pours of rain causing wide spread flooding.
The photo on the right was taken n 2018 during a heat wave!
Barely a trickle compared to the photo above.
The top of Catrigg Foss 2018
I popped into Tesco on my way out to grab a couple of bottles of drink, then I set off for Stainforth.
Parking in the same car park as I did in 2016, I was surprised that the car park wasn’t busier due to the weather. I wasn’t going to do the full walk we did in 2016, I was just going to go to Catrigg Foss (Force), spend time there taking photos then head back through the village to Stainforth Force (Foss) and take some photos there.
This is my route for my 2018 Stainforth walk.
I made my way to the top of Catrigg Foss (Force), it was here I realised I wasn’t going to get the dramatic photos I was hoping for, due to the very hot weather we had been treated to over the last month or so, there was no raging torrent of 2 years ago, compared to then it was more like a trickle.
Well I had come all this way, so I continued through the gate and down to the base of the waterfall. I was greeted by 2 huge trees which had come down at some point since my last visit. I managed to find a route over to the waterfall, ducking and weaving between the branches and trunks of the fallen trees. The waterfall still looked lovely (it wasn’t until I got home and reviewed the photos I had taken 2 years ago that I realised how depleted the water was}.
In 2016, I could not get close to the actual waterfall, as Stainforth Beck which is what flows from the waterfall, was in flood! But on this visit, it was what most people would imagine a beck to look like.
One of the tree trunks that tried to block my way.
So, I got to work, taking loads of photos from different angles and locations around the waterfall, I think I must have been there for around an hour and a half. Once I thought I had taken enough, I headed back up the path, through the gate, then continued back up to the main track that led back to the village. Once through the gate and onto the track, I stopped to take a photo of the view from here, it was at this moment, I noticed out the corner of my eye, something orange making its way up the track towards me. I continued to take my photos, then turned to head back to the village, only to see a woman, 2 children and a man coming up the track, the man was carrying 2 bags (picnic stuff & towels) with a great big orange rubber ring slung over his shoulder. I could not believe these people had walked at least ¾ of a mile up hill, to go to Catrigg Foss (Force) just for a paddle!
The finger post for Catrigg Foss
Once I got back to the village, the Craven Heifer pub looked too inviting to walk past, plus it was lunch time, so in I walked. I was disappointed to find that the menu was quite sparse, there was some cold sandwiches in a cabinet, or Sunday Roast (which I would love to have had, but I didn’t want a big meal, the only other thing was a Hot Filled Baguette (various fillings), I decided on a Hot Turkey filled baguette which came with roast potatoes and gravy, plus a pint of Thwaites.
Hot Turkey filled baguette which came with roast potatoes and gravy, plus a pint of Thwaites
After having my lunch, I headed to the car park and to my car, so I could collect the second drink I had bought earlier. From here I headed into the south west corner of the car park, to follow a footpath that follows Stainforth Beck under the main road (B6479), this footpath brings you out into a nice secluded picnic area. I turned right once out from under the bridge, and followed the path to a gate, once through the gate I turned left onto a track, which takes you over a railway bridge. Just ahead of you there is a gate to private property to the left, to the right of this is another gate which bares right and follows the railway embankment. After a short distance you go through another gate which takes you onto Dog Hill Brow, I turned left to head downhill. Like I had said from my previous visit, this is a very narrow lane, by the gate there are 2 huge posts, one either side of the lane to stop wide vehicles using the road (especially cars towing caravans, there is a camp site near to Stainforth Force), there was a couple in a Ford Fiesta looking to go through, but I think they thought better of it once they approached the posts (No spatial awareness), they reversed out and drove off.
The Craven Heifer Hotel/Pub
I continued downhill, across the very narrow bridge at the bottom over the River Ribble. It was as I crossed this bridge that I realised that my idea of taking some photos of Stainforth Force (Foss), would not happen! Because of the weather conditions (glorious sunshine), it looked more like a holiday camp swimming pool, rather than a beauty spot, loads of families out enjoying the weather and the cooling waters of the River Ribble (so no chance of taking any photos here today). I did walk past Stainforth Force (Foss) for a short distance, but then decided to head back. I ended up taking some photos up river from Stainforth Force (Foss), I also managed to get onto the river bank on the other side of the lane and took some photos there. I then made my way back up Dog Hill Brow, and back to my car, then headed home.
The bridge over the River Ribble
I enjoyed being able to take my time at Catrigg Foss (Force), a bit disappointed that the water levels had dropped so much but enjoyed it all the same. I was majorly disappointed about all the people at Stainforth Force (Foss), but they have the right to be there just as much as I do. I will have to visit again, hopefully on a dry day after some major rain fall, I know what both locations look like in flood, but to be able to spend more time there would be great. So watch this space!!