Stainforth Force and Catrigg Force Circular
North Yorkshire
Stainforth is a small Ribblesdale village two miles north of Settle where dogs need a lead among grazing sheep and cattle, and this circuit links its two waterfalls. The route crosses Stainforth Beck on stepping stones and climbs steeply to Catrigg Force, where the beck drops into a tree-lined limestone ravine beside Goat Scar Lane, an old packhorse lane on the trade link between Ripon and Lancaster. It then crosses high pastures before dropping to the River Ribble and Stainforth Force, a series of limestone steps and pools beside a 17th century packhorse bridge owned by the National Trust, where salmon leap after heavy autumn rain. The loop is about 8km with 250 metres of climbing, on field paths, stony lanes and riverside, with stiles and slippery ground when wet.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of water for a dog, from the beck at the start to the pools below Stainforth Force, though the Ribble runs fast after rain and the rocks are slippery, so keep your dog back from the edge. Most of the route crosses grazed fields where sheep and cattle are common, so plan on your dog being on a lead for much of the way, and give cattle a wide berth. The slope down to Catrigg Force is steep. The national park car park has toilets, and the Craven Heifer in the village welcomes dogs and muddy boots.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Waterfall, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Toilets at Stainforth car park; the Craven Heifer in Stainforth welcomes dogs; more cafes and pubs in Settle.
- Parking
- Stainforth car park (Yorkshire Dales National Park), pay and display, with toilets.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Stainforth Force and Catrigg Force Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Stable At Coppy House Farm
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,040 / 7 nights
Town End Farm - Stable Cottage
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £745 / 7 nights
Waterfall Cottage - Barnoldswick
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £551 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Stainforth Force and Catrigg Force Circular dog friendly?
Yes, this is a dog-friendly circular walk rated 7 out of 10, linking two lovely Ribblesdale waterfalls — Catrigg Force in its wooded limestone ravine and Stainforth Force below a 17th century packhorse bridge. Dogs will find plenty of water along the way, from Stainforth Beck at the start to the pools below Stainforth Force. After your walk, the Craven Heifer in Stainforth village welcomes dogs and muddy boots.
Can dogs be off lead at Stainforth Force and Catrigg Force Circular?
Off-lead time is fairly limited on this route, as most of the walk crosses grazed fields where sheep and cattle are common, so you should plan on keeping your dog on the lead for much of the way. The Ribble also runs fast after rain and the rocks around Stainforth Force can be slippery, so it's wise to keep dogs back from the water's edge in those spots.
What should I know before visiting Stainforth Force and Catrigg Force Circular with my dog?
The route is around 8km with 250 metres of climbing on field paths, stony lanes and riverside, and includes stiles and some slippery ground when wet — the descent to Catrigg Force is particularly steep. Livestock are a constant presence, so keep your dog leashed around sheep and give any cattle a wide berth. There are toilets at the National Park car park in Stainforth, and Settle, two miles south, has additional cafes and pubs if you need them.
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