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Yorkshire Dales Explorer

Ribblehead Viaduct 09 01 2024 – photo © Thomas

The Yorkshire Dales Explorer recently passed the milestone of carrying its 10,000th passenger since the start of the service in June 2024. 

Lancashire Rail Rambler Guided Walk – photo © Craig Ward

The Yorkshire Dales Explorer is an exciting new service that links Greater Manchester and Lancashire to the Settle Carlisle line and the wonderful Yorkshire Dales. It will operate on Saturdays, as an extension of the Rochdale to Blackburn service with 2 trains a day going on to Ribblehead via Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

Launch Day 8 June 2024

In line with the national regulated rail fare price rises please note that the fares for the Yorkshire Dales Explorer have increased and the new fares can be seen on this link YDE Fares March 2026

Northern have introduced some DUO Fares (2 travel together for 25% discount) for journeys with destinations north of Clitheroe – see below for some examples of the DUO offers. DUO Tickets have been available from Saturday 20 September from booking offices and ticket vending machines (TVMs). A full list of the Yorkshire Dales Explorer Duo Fares can be downloaded on this link: YDE Duo Fares

Northern have also announced that advance fare tickets are now available on the YDE for stations from Rochdale to Clitheroe for destinations north of Clitheroe including Hellifield, Settle, Horton in Ribblesdale & Ribblehead. An advance fare from Clitheroe to Settle is £3.90 one way or Manchester Victoria to Ribblehead is £7.30 one way. Advance fares are also available on the YDE for southbound journeys to the Ribble Valley and beyond. Availability of advance fares is limited so booking ahead is essential and remember you need to check that advance fares are available for both your outward and return journey.

Although trains will terminate at Ribblehead there will be good connections with the Leeds to Carlisle service for those wanting to travel along Mallerstang to Kirkby Stephen as well as to the Eden Valley, Appleby and Carlisle.

Ribblehead station offers the opportunity to view the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct that featured so much when the line was under threat of closure in the 1980s as well as the stunning Ingleborough which can be clearly seen from the station as the picture above shows. There is also a Tearoom and Visitor Centre open 09:00 to 16:00 throughout the season. More details here

Details of the train service and connections can be found by clicking the Timetable button on the drop down menu at top right of this page or on this link: Yorkshire Dales Explorer Timetables. The Lancashire Rail Ramblers are developing a guided walks programme along with connecting bus services and this will be available to download soon. There is much to see and do along the Settle Carlisle line so it pays to plan your day and there are many ideas that can be discovered as you explore this website.