Stage 3 of 6 · Dales Way
Starbotton → Ribblehead
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Route briefing
What comes next
Climbs, descents and access in route order. Not listed does not mean absent: it may not be mapped.
Start
0 m
Starbotton
Start
Route geometry · source 2026-08-26
About 0 min in
23.9 km remaining
+442 m remaining
Access
0 m
Starbotton - Fox And Hounds
Bus stop
OpenStreetMap · source 2026-08-26
About 0 min in
23.9 km remaining
+442 m remaining
Access
0 m
Starbotton - Fox And Hounds
Bus stop
OpenStreetMap · source 2026-08-26
About 0 min in
23.9 km remaining
+442 m remaining
Access
0 m
Starbotton - Fox And Hounds
Bus stop
OpenStreetMap · source 2026-08-26
About 0 min in
23.9 km remaining
+442 m remaining
Climb
17.5 km
115 m climb
2.2 km at 5.2% average
Dales Way Association · source 2026-08-26
About 4h 09m in
6.4 km remaining
+186 m remaining
Descent
19.7 km
203 m descent
3.1 km at 6.6% average
Dales Way Association · source 2026-08-26
About 4h 41m in
4.2 km remaining
+64 m remaining
Finish
23.9 km
Ribblehead
Finish
Route geometry · source 2026-08-26
About 5h 41m in
0 m remaining
Trail route lab
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Getting Here
Starbotton - Fox And Hounds (bus stop)
483m from trailhead · ~6 min walk
End: Ribblehead
No nearby transit stop at the end. Check the next stage's start stop.
Segment Breakdown
Auto-analyzed from the elevation profile. Each segment shows the dominant character for planning your effort.
| Segment | Dist | ↑ / ↓ | Time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starbotton → km 8.0 (268m) 216–268m | 8 km | +81m / -29m | 1h 45m | 📈 Climbing |
km 8.0 (268m) → km 15.9 (394m) 263–394m | 8 km | +151m / -25m | 1h 52m | 📈 Climbing |
km 15.9 (394m) → Ribblehead 312–516m | 7.9 km | +188m / -210m | 2h 01m | 🏃 Highly Runnable |
| Total | 23.9 km | +442m / -263m | 5h 40m |
Pace & Fuel Calculator
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Terrain Analysis
Surface & Technicality
Gradient describes steepness, not exposure, scrambling, footing or current conditions. Technical difficulty is unknown where no mapped rating is available.
Current Conditions
Based on 1991–2020 climate averages, the weather on Dales Way Stage 3: Starbotton → Ribblehead is usually best from April to October. December is the wettest.
Weather this week
Loading the forecast for low point (213 m) and high point (518 m)…
Weather by month
Typical weather on this stage: at the lowest point (213 m) and the highest point (518 m). Select a month to see why it is rated as it is.
| Month | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Mixed | Mixed |
| High point, day / night | 4°/0° | 5°/0° | 7°/1° | 10°/2° | 13°/5° | 16°/8° | 17°/9° | 17°/9° | 14°/7° | 10°/5° | 7°/2° | 5°/0° |
| Low point, day / night | 7°/2° | 7°/2° | 9°/2° | 12°/4° | 15°/6° | 18°/9° | 20°/11° | 19°/11° | 16°/9° | 13°/7° | 9°/4° | 7°/2° |
| Rain, mm | 186 | 150 | 130 | 104 | 105 | 122 | 145 | 155 | 149 | 186 | 188 | 206 |
| Snow at high point | Possible | Possible | Possible | Frost | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Possible |
| Daylight | 7 h 53 | 9 h 44 | 11 h 44 | 13 h 59 | 15 h 57 | 17 h 09 | 16 h 42 | 14 h 58 | 12 h 49 | 10 h 39 | 8 h 35 | 7 h 23 |
Source: TerraClimate 1991–2020 monthly averages. Averages for the area at each point’s elevation (4 km grid, corrected for height). Not a forecast or a report of current trail conditions. Snow at the high point is estimated with a simple snowpack model from these temperatures and precipitation, not observed; steep islands and high summits can hold more snow than it shows. Daylight is for the 15th of each month. Hut, transport and park seasons are separate: check them for your dates.
Averages cannot establish current trail conditions. Check recent local reports, the forecast and restrictions before departure. Snow and ice can persist on shaded sections or arrive outside the usual season.
Planning ahead?
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Safety & Bailouts
We do not have a verified emergency exit plan for this route. A nearby settlement, hut or route endpoint is not necessarily reachable or open. Do not leave the trail based on a straight-line distance or compass direction.
Review possible exits against current local information before your trip. In an emergency, contact local rescue services; this page is not live rescue guidance.
Suggested Gear List
Auto-generated based on 23.9 km, 442m ascent, max altitude 518.4m, ~6h duration.
- 👟 Trail running shoes / hiking bootsRequired for any trail
- 📱 Phone (charged) + offline mapNavigation & emergency contact
- 💧 3L hydration vestWater source information is incomplete; plan supplies before departure
- 🍫 Trail mix, bars & sandwichEst. 1987 kcal burn
- 🧴 SunscreenBasic sun protection
- 🧥 Light rain jacketWeather changes fast in the mountains
- 🩹 Mini first aid kitBlister plasters, tape, antiseptic
- 🧊 Microspikes / light cramponsSnow risk in Jan, Feb, Mar
- 🦵 GaitersKeep snow out of boots
Logistics
This route runs from Starbotton to Ribblehead (23.9 km by trail). You'll need to arrange transport back to your starting point.
Nearby Points of Interest
🚏 Transit stops along this stage
- 🚌 Starbotton - Fox And Hounds 337m off trail
- 🚌 Buckden - National Park Car Park km 3.6 · 589m off trail
- 🚌 Buckden - The Buck Inn km 3.9 · 580m off trail
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