The Yorkshire Dales has many popular walks – the likes of Malham Cove being one you’ve no doubt heard of – but it is also underrated and unexplored in some areas. Smearsett Scar, just outside of the village of Stainforth, is a short walk in the Yorkshire Dales and much quieter. With incredible views of Pen-y-Ghent and traditional Dales scenery, this 9km circular walk follows old farm tracks and crosses limestone pavements before rising to the trig point on Smearsett Scar. It’s a great one for beginner hikers and you can even finish your hike with a swim at two different points along the River Ribble. Read the full guide below and download the route.
😮Difficulty: Easy – good paths with some waymarked. Simple navigation to the summit trig point.
⛰️Terrain: a mix of road, stone tracks and grass paths
↔️Distance: 9km/5.6miles
⌛Time taken: 3-4 hrs
📈Ascent: 360
Start point: Stainforth Car Park, BD24 9PQ
🗺️Click here for the OS downloadable route
🗺️Map needed is OS Explorer OL2
🗺️Click here for the Komoot downloadable route
Smearsett Scar circular walk
Car parking and starting the route
The route starts at the car park in Stainforth. It has public toilets and costs £4.80 for 2+ hours (correct at time of writing, July 2025)
Public transport option:
There is a train station in Settle which is the next town down from Stainforth and there are public buses which run to Stainforth from Settle. Bus service number 11 runs from Clitheroe to Settle passing through Stainforth. You can view the timetable for this bus service here.
The route to Smearsett Scar starts by crossing the main road from the car park towards the river and following the signposted path to reach a single track road. This road heads downhill, crosses the River Ribble, carries on past a caravan park on the left and brings you out in front of some farm buildings. The path then becomes a track and passes in front of the farm buildings, passing through the gate and following it uphill.
Hot to get to the trig point on Smearsett Scar
The majority of this walk follows the Dales High Way, a 90 mile, long-distance route that stretches from Saltaire to Appleby-in-Westmorland. The path is signposted and crosses a couple of stiles as it ascends and descends over open farmland, limestone pavements and drystone walls, some of which date back hundreds of years. You’ll be able to see Smearsett Scar rising out from the ground with its trig point visible on the top.
The path descends to Scar Close Farm (watch out for cows) where you take a right and follow the track past some houses and head through the gate, continuing to follow the track. This is a lovely, peaceful area and you feel enclosed by the limestone outcrops on one side and sections of woodland on the other.
The track eventually veers round to the right and heads uphill towards the limestone escarpment of Smearsett Scar. There is some sort of path where other people have walked onto the summit at the end but you can also make your own way up to the trig point. At the summit, the viewpoint is stunning with the view stretching across to Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough.
Walking back to Stainforth with wild swimming detour
From the trig point, descend via the path where others have walked onto the grassy side and head for the stile at the wall. The path descends down hill through fields before joining the single track road once again when you retrace your steps back to the car park in Stainforth.
When you reach the point at which the bridge crosses the River Ribble again, you can turn right and follow the river downstream to two fanbulous wild swimming locations. The first is Stainforth Force, a powerful waterfall with a rope swing and deep pool. When the river level is low, this is a wonderful wild swimming spot but it can feel quite intimidating too. When the river level is high this becomes an incredibly dangerous place to swim and is not recommended.
Two minutes further downstream lies Eel Pool, a deep section of the river that is much calmer and more relaxing within the trees.
Is Smearsett Scar suitable for beginners?
As with any hike in hilly or mountainous areas, it’s important to remember that typical challenges will remain; navigation in the outdoors, varying terrain, changes in weather and being prepared for that, fitness and knowing how to call for help if needed. However, Smearsett Scar is a nice beginner walk, as long as you think you will be able to manage the distance and elevation gain. The route follows obvious paths, with some of these signposted, until the final stretch up to the trig point on the scar.
My two pieces of advice would be to make sure you have sturdy footwear as the terrain is a mixture of road, stone tracks, grass and a rocky summit on Smearsett Scar as well as a good idea of the route and have it downloaded to your phone.
Wild Swimming tips
The River Ribble is a fabulous place for wild swimming but it comes with risks and it’s important to be prepared. If you’re new to wild swimming check out this wild swimming blog about the benefits, how to stay safe and packing essentials.
For the River Ribble be aware of specific dangers such as undercurrents when the river level is higher, unseen objects in the water, rising river levels which can make swimming impossible and poor water quality.
For more wild swimming spots in the Yorkshire Dales, check out this post below on ten of the best spots in the Yorkshrie Dales and be sure to let me know if you’ve tried this walk to Smearsett Scar or if you have any questions.
