The River Ribble springs from the limestone of the Yorkshire Dales, high on Cam Fell in the heart of Three Peak country. The 70 1/2-mile (113km) Ribble Way is described in seven stages, the route alternating from one side of the valley to the other, generally making use of road bridges to cross the river. Initially forcing a passage between high, rugged moorland hills, it then breaks free to wind through gentler countryside south of Settle, meandering lazily through alternating pasture and ancient woodland, where old manor houses and early 18th-century village cottages still hold sway against the pervasive tide of modernity. Beyond Preston, the river dramatically changes yet again, trained to run straight to the Irish Sea, but further to the west, a vast expanse of the salt marsh still remains and attracts huge populations of birds particularly in winter.

Author Biography

Both natives of Lancashire and living not far from Preston, Dennis and Jan Kelsall are no strangers to the Ribble Way and the splendid countryside through which it runs. As professional outdoor writers and photographers, they have written and illustrated many guides covering some of the country's most popular walking areas. They also contribute to various magazines, as well as producing a weekly walking feature for the Lancashire Evening Post. Their enjoyment of the countryside extends far beyond a love of fresh air and open spaces and an appreciation of scenery. They also have a keen interest in the environment and its geology, flora and wildlife, as well as a passion for the local history that so often provides clues to interpreting the landscape.